Unauthorised demolition of historic Mercy Terrace stables

Photo of the rear of Mercy Terrace, taken from
the bridge (c.2011)

The Council’s Planning Enforcement Team carried out a site visit on 25 July when officers noted that the historic stable buildings had been completely demolished and the foundation for a new building had been excavated. 

The level of demolition is ‘substantial’ and to have done this is an offence under the Planning Acts (where planning permission is not in place for such development).

The Council has therefore issued a warning of the likelihood of formal enforcement action, given that an offence has been committed.  It has been made clear that the works should cease immediately (subject to making the site safe).

Planning Enforcement officers will be visiting the site again to check that the notice to cease works is being observed.

10-14 Mercy Terrace - Update

In January this year the Council refused planning permission for a development on this existing warehouse site round the back of the Ladywell Post Office.  The Council wrote, amongst other things:

• the proposed dwelling mix, through the inclusion of studio units and the failure to provide any family sized dwellings, would fail to provide a long term and  sustainable solution to housing need within the borough . . . ; and that
• the development would fail to provide an acceptable standard of residential amenity for future occupiers by reason of the provision of undersized units which would have poor internal amenity levels due to the substandard access to sunlight and daylight and would also fail to provide dedicated private amenity space for all units . . . ; and that
• the proposed development would fail to provide any affordable housing . . .

Now a further application has been received for "Demolition of the existing building and the construction of a mixed-use development comprising approximately 372sqm of office floorspace (Use Class B1) and a part 3/part4/part 5 storey building to provide 45 residential units together with the provision of disabled parking and landscaping at 10-14 Mercy Terrace SE13 (Outline Application)."

This looks like little more than a reduction in units from 49 to 45 but it's difficult to know as no supporting documents are yet available on the Council website.

Robert Sheppard

Three Peaks Challenge this Saturday - can you hack it?

A new circular walking route is being launched in Lewisham, with a special event in aid of two charities supporting young people.

The Lewisham Three Peaks Challenge is a sponsored walk taking place on 16 July 2016, starting at 11.00am in Hilly Fields, SE4.  It will follow the route of the new Three Peaks Green Route, which links up the hilly parks of Hilly Fields. One Tree Hill and Blythe Hill with the shops and cafes of Crofton Park, Honor Oak and Ladywell.

A group of local residents has produced an illustrated map and guide to the walk with funding from Ladywell Assembly.  The 5-mile circular route passes through parks and historic cemeteries, as well visiting some popular shopping streets, with plenty of pubs and cafes for refreshment stops.  The guide includes interesting historical information and suggests what to look out for along the way. For people coming from outside the area – or who want a short cut - there are plenty of transport links to join the route.

To launch the new walk, residents have teamed up with the Stephen Lawrence Trust and For Jimmy.

A sponsored walk on Saturday 16 July will ‘christen’ the circular route and raise money for the charities. Money is also being raised from the donations received for the maps and from sales of a special limited edition ‘Lewisham 3 Peaks Challenge’ t-shirt. This has been designed by Guardian cartoonist and local resident, Martin Rowson.

Further information available on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Lewisham-3-Peaks-Challenge-1034541099971217/) or Twitter (@Brockley3Peaks).

You can also sign up to raise money for the charities at bit.ly/1OBS7rN

The Ladywell Tavern changes hands

The Ladywell Tavern has again changed ownership.  It is now, it seems, owned by the Laine's pub group (yes, I checked the apostrophe!) and will be known just as 'The Ladywell'.  See here.  

A planning application has also been submitted to demolish some of the outbuildings to the rear of the pub, though not the building that's currently a gallery.  The kitchen will move to the back of the building and the current kitchen will become WCs.

Robert Sheppard

59 Ladywell Road 'arches' refurb underway

. . . as seen from the north side of the road,
with the railway at the back of the photo

Over a year ago the Ladywell Fields blog reported on the marketing exercise in relation to this site under the Ladywell Road bridge (on the eastern side of the railway).  As these photos show, the refurb is well underway.  

. . . and as seen from the station exit
into Ladywell Fields

It was envisaged that this might become a bar or restaurant.  As soon as we can find out more, we'll let you know.

Robert Sheppard