Mayor Bullock set to abandon Church Grove traveller site

Sir Steve Bullock, Lewisham's Mayor, is being recommended strongly by officers in a report published today (see http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=3040#mgDocuments) to abandon proposals for a traveller site at the former Watergate School site and to look elsewhere for a site to meet the Council's Housing Act duties.

Officers recommend ". . . based on the outcome of the consultation and an independent Technical Report on Access, the proposals for redevelopment of the Church Grove site to meet the current accommodation needs of the gypsy and traveller community in the borough be discontinued and a new site search begun."  Paragraph 18.3 continues "The key issue of concern is access . . . Although it may be possible for some caravans to safely access [sic] the site, the revised legislation means that it would be very difficult for a caravan of the maximum permitted width to safely enter [sic] the site without potential damage to other vehicles or mounting an already narrow footway. The use of mitigation measures have been considered but it has been concluded that these are either impractical or have significant disadvantages.

Paragraph 18.6 concludes "In order to address the need to identify a site or sites to meet the needs of the traveller community, officers propose to fundamentally reconsider [sic] the existing approach to the identification of potential sites. This would involve a re-appraisal of the criteria previously used and a new site search that will take into account both Council sites and those outside of Council ownership."

Split infinitives aside, this looks like ending next week with a victory for commonsense. The arguments from residents seem to have won the day - which begs the question why wasn't there a proper exploration of the issues BEFORE the Church Grove site was put on a shortlist of one!

Council turns up the heat on empty flats

Lewisham Council has made an application to the Residential Property Tribunal in respect of the flats above Corals at 228-230 Algernon Road (and a couple of other properties also owned by Coomes) and expect a hearing date in late February or early March. The Council will be seeking an interim Empty Dwelling Management Order on the flats. If granted, Coomes will have to repair and let the property and if they fail to do so the Council can invoke a final EDMO and take control of the property, repair and let it.

The hearing will be in public so people are welcome to attend.  Though Coomes have not responded to date they are, of course, likely to fight the Council all the way on this.  Success at the hearing will depend to some extent on the quality of the 'bundle of evidence' the Council will have to submit - so letters from local traders and local people in support of the application, and postings to this blogspot will be helpful.

A new chapter begins for the Ladywell 'Playtower'

The Ladywell Baths (aka 'The Playtower'), then and now

Council and English Heritage monies have now been earmarked to weatherproof the building and start to bring it back into use.  The work is scheduled to start in March and will include refurbishment of the 'superintendant’s flat' to allow it to be occupied, thus improving the overall security of the site.

A Charitable Trust has been established which will oversee the refurbishment of the building and long-term use as a community hub comprising voluntary sector offices, space for community activities and a café.  The Trust is currently applying for funding to take the project forward and this will include full consultation with local people on the type of community activities that could take place in the hall (formerly the main pool).

If you have ideas or might be interested in getting involved, please email ladywell.info@gmail.com with an explanation of your ideas and/or interest.

Tony Rich

Traveller Site decision deferred to 15 February

Council officers have confirmed that the decision on whether or not the Council's new Traveller Site is to be located at Church Grove, Ladywell (pictured) will be taken by Mayor Sir Steve Bullock on Weds 15 February.  The public report on which the decision will be based should be available for public inspection on Tues 7 February.

A flicker of hope for Mason's

Hopes that Masons is about to get a new owner have been raised by the sight of decorating equipment piled up in the bar, but we hear these relate to ongoing redecoration of one of the flats above.  However, local shopkeepers have been told that one restaurant operator with outlets in Crystal Palace and Brixton is in in discussion with the freeholder about taking-on the lease.  A sticking point may be the kitchens, which I'm told are in need of some investment.  Watch this space . . .