Council issues response to Ladywell Baths ('Playtower') petition

The Ladywell Baths - in their former glory

In an undated response on its Petitions webpage the Council has given the following, somewhat minimalist, response to the community petition that secured 914 signatures earlier this year.

We understand the importance of Ladywell Playtower (the former Victorian Baths on Ladywell Road) and the contribution it makes to the local area’s character and welcome the community interest in preserving this heritage asset.

The building has fallen into disrepair and requires significant investment, particularly after major setbacks such as the 2005 fire.

We have already taken steps to slow down the deterioration of the buildings.  With the support of English Heritage in 2012 we replaced the roof and made the building water tight.

But much more investment is needed before the building could be made useable again.

In the coming months the Council will invite prospective partners to assist with developing a vision and raising funds for the restoration of this Grade II listed local landmark.

Robert Sheppard

Ladywell just keeps getting better!

A busy life makes it hard to post to this blog as often one might like, and the three items below are a little late, but all demonstrate continued momentum in the improvement of Ladywell since the major streetworks brought the place to a grinding halt, and nearly bankrupted local businesses, in 2013.

Our excellent new 'mural' (presumably not really a mural unless its on a wall?) screening the
derelict garages site on the corner of Malyons Road (see blog item below).

 . . and there's evidence of work going on at 40 Ladywell Road
where we hope a new restaurant will open in 2016



. . . and 251 Algernon Road looks to be in the final stages of a major exterior refurb!

So lots of positives, even on a rainy November lunchtime, to add to anecdotal evidence that various of the newer local businesses seem to be going from strength to strength with clear evidence of loyal and appreciative clientele.

We very much hope for positive news in the coming months in relation to the neglected local asset that is the Ladywell Baths ('Playtower'), recently listed by the Victorian Society as one of the country's top 10 Victorian/Edwardian buildings at risk.  Come on Lewisham Council!

Robert Sheppard

 

Malyons/Ladywell Road derelict garages site (UPDATE)

Ladywell residents will be aware of the sorry saga of this site, where two people sadly lost their lives in a fire this Summer.

Cllr. Liz Franklin-Johnson, one of our three Ladywell Ward Councillors has confirmed that the Council's Executive Director of Customer Services (Kevin Sheehan) has agreed to put up a strong temporary hoarding to block the debris from the public view.  Apparently this will be erected very soon.

We gather that some months ago an enforcement notice was served under S.59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 against the registered landowner, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands.  However various legal issues have arisen and are being addressed with necessary care and attention by the Council's Legal Dept.  The primary objective is of course to get the landlord to clear the site.

Cllr. Franklin-Johnson says "I am very concerned about the health and safety implications and have argued, and am still arguing, for the clearance of the space but was informed that this is dependant on the case against the landlord.   The alternative is to block off the debris, which is not what we had requested.  It is has been very frustrating but we are continually pursuing this as Ladywell residents deserve to have a clean and safe environment."

LVIG
 

Peabody consults on Carpet Corner Plans

Peabody Housing Association is currently consulting on its plans for the Carpet Corner site at the junction of Ladywell Road and Wearside Road.

Robert Sheppard

59 Ladywell Road 'arches' space up for sale

Those beady-eyed bloggers at Brockley Central have spotted that this space, facing onto Ladywell Fields, which to outward appearance has been vacant for years, is currently being marketed by Hindwoods commercial estate agents.

The premises has the following permitted planning uses - A3 Restaurants Cafes Snack Bars, B1 Offices and Light Industrial, B8 Storage and Distribution and/or B8 Warehouse and Trade counter.  It comprises four adjoining vaults underneath Ladywell Road and "has the potential for an opening adjacent to Ladywell station platform" (though I'm not quite sure how that would work).

The marketing bumph says of the area "has benefited from significant investment and redevelopment including the construction of several hundred homes, major infrastructure works, new community facilities, pedestrian areas, cycle routes and open spaces which has increased the appeal of the area.  The University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham Council and Ladywell Fields College occupy landmark offices nearby with Ladywell Fields and the Ravensbourne River providing an attractive local environment."

A CGI in the marketing pack shows the premises as a restaurant, which in principle would be a welcome addition to the area.   Rumours persist however of a possible microbrewery, also something that would be welcomed I think.

Robert Sheppard

Ladywell fire causes traffic chaos

A fire yesterday afternoon at the disused garages site at the corner of Ladywell Road and Malyons Road was put out by two fire tenders.  Ladywell Road was closed for several hours causing traffic chaos.  Planning permission for a mixed commercial/residential development was given some years ago but has now expired.  In the meantime the site has become a dump, something reported to the Council and posted on this blog in July 2014. 

Robert Sheppard

LVIG lodges objection to 59 Ladywell Road planning application

The Ladywell Village Improvement Group has lodged an objection to the application to add a further storey to the 'Rivoli apartments' building on Ladywell bridge.  It's understood that both the Ladywell Society and the Ladywell Fields User Group have also lodged objections on similar grounds.
The LVIG Committee

Council refuses permission for metal shed taxi office

Belated news . . . in April the Council’s planners refused permission for the construction of a metal shed in the alley adjacent to the Fish Bar, 52 Ladywell Road, for use as a taxi office.  In its refusal letter the Council cites the following grounds for refusal (both issues of concern highlighted by LVIG in its objection to the application):

“The proposed use as a mini cab office would give rise to parking congestion and would be likely to occupy parking spaces intended for shoppers, which would compromise the viability of the local shopping parade . . .” and 

“The proposed metal container, by virtue of its design and siting would detract from the appearance of the property and the street scene and would fail to enhance or preserve the appearance of this part of the Ladywell Conservation Area . . .”

You can find full details on this application, and read the refusal letter, here.

LVIG welcomes this signal that planning applications within the Ladywell Conservation Area will be expected to contribute to, and not detract from, the streetscape.

Robert Sheppard, LVIG Secretary

Restaurant Plans for Ladywell's 'Snack Bar'

A planning application has been submitted to convert the long-empty 'Snack Bar' at 40 Ladywell Road (next to Le Delice) into a restaurant. You can have a look at the plans here.

Flat building starts on Adhesive Specialities site

Some mourn loss of the Adhesive Specialities building, formerly at 59 Ladywell Road (north of the bridge between the railway and River Ravensbourne).  Replacing it we'll soon have another somewhat characterless low-rise apartment block.  Work looked to be well underway today.