|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
|
Click the BACK button in your browser to return to the previous page. This page holds the archive of all older news items.
28th August 2008Boris questions plans for Docks developmentIt is good to see that The Docklands (27th August edition) has picked up on the fact that Boris Johnson’s office “has expressed serious reservations about a new housing development in Surrey Docks”. The item goes on to report that “Giles Dolphin, deputy mayor and head of planning decisions, said that the plan for the Downtown site ‘does not comply with the London Plan’.”
|
||||
 |
At first glance I though that this was the area occupied by the Surrey Docks Farm, but it is not. It is the small area of greenery just down from there, off Rotherhithe Street. Here's a somewhat clearer map on Streetmap.co.uk. There should be a red arrow marking the park, but is if not it is the green rectangle about half way between the Farm and Nelson Dock.
The poster goes on to say that it would be a lift bridge (self-regulating if I read it right, although I have no idea how that would work), that it would cost in the region of £65,000 and that it is part of a wider range of cycling plans which are being implemented as part of the 2012 Olympic infrastructure.
It looks as though Whitbybird have put forward the design proposal.
There's also a photograph of model showing what the bridge would look like, also on Dr Plockta's site.
The complete technical feasibility study can be downloaded from the Sustrans website in PDF format. Sustrans is a sustainable transport charity. Apart from paging through for a map,I haven't had a chance to read it yet.
8th August 2008
Tube stations to be patrolled
The South London Press this week (August 8th 2008, p.2) says that Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams have been set up at tube stations in south London. They will not be replacing the British Transport Police. In Southwark four teams will police nice tube stations led by four sergeants. Each team has 12 PCs and four Police Community Support Officers. They will conduct regular patrols along the Jubilee Line, amongst others. Apparently public meetings will beheld to identify local needs and priorities.
Battle of the Bands success-story to appear at Rotherhithe Festival
It’s nice to have some cheerful news to post, this article appearing on the Ilford Leader:
“In these times when we're apparently locking up more teenagers than any other European country and some aspects of the national press attempt to demonise our children, it is a delight to bring news of a group of teenagers whipping up some good feeling.
Upminster fourpiece Stereo Decade, who only formed in February, have just completed a remarkable battle of the bands double, by winning both the Raw Talent 2008 at the Dagenham Town Show last week and Havering Rock Band of the Year at Music Tek, Dagenham.
Boasting whimsical tunes and catchy lyrics, the band have augmented their live success with a new debut four track EP, Swing on My Grits, on sale at their gigs.
You can catch them at the Rotherhithe Festival on Saturday and Offset festival, Hainault Country Park, on August 30/31.”
5th August 2008
Val Shawcross objection to revised Downtown planning application
Thanks very much to Kam Hong Leung for forwarding the letter from Val Shawcross which puts forth her objections to the revised Downtown planning application.
You can download it from this link, in PDF format.
Frogmore development proposals for Surrey Quays Leisure Park
The meeting mentioned in a previous post which is going to take place on the 8th September 2008 will be located at the Alfred Salter Primary School, Quebec Way, SE16 7LP at 1900. The meeting will be a presentation to the Canada Water Forum (and anyone else who wishes to attend) about the plans that Frogmore have for development on the site currently occupied by the Surrey Quays Leisure Park.
4th August 2008
Latest news re development proposals a the Downtown Site
1) Members of the Friends hand delivered over 300 objection letters to the council’s planning offices last week where they were all stamped and approved. This is clearly a massive number of objections. Once again local Downtown Defence Campaign supporters have put time aside to help our cause by knocking on doors and collecting their neighbours’ objection letters. Well done and thanks to them.
2) All three of our local councillors accepted a Friends invitation to meet as a matter of urgency, and the meeting took place on site last Thursday, 31st July August. It the first meeting to take place on site with the local councillors. Steve and Friends senior members have now met representatives from all four major political parties. they are:
- Jenny Jones (Green Party & London Assembly Member)
- Valarie Shawcross ( Labour Party & London Assembly Member)
- Andrew Boff (Conservative Party & London Assembly Member)
- Lisa Rajan, Paul Noblet, & David Hubber, (our three local Surrey Docks councillors.)
The meeting participants talked about the latest application from Barratt Homes and whether it addresses the three grounds for refusal received at last years planning failure. It would be fair to say that all agreed that there are still major issues with the removal of the community benefits i.e.
- community hall re-provision
- breakfast club and creche
- failure to address the poor urban design and poor traffic flows through the new proposal
- the size of the new 'buffer zone' extension' that has been achieved by removing the above.
The best thing to come from the meeting was that our councillors are going to request that the planning committee visit the Downtown site to take a closer look for themselves in order to assess the physical reality of site, and the proximity of the “buffer zone” to the Russia Dock Woodlands ponds and waterways.
Proposal for a Community Sustainable Drainage System
Steve Cornish has forwarded me details of a community sustainable drainage scheme proposing the collection and storage of rainwater to top up the waterways in Russia Dock Woodland. The benefits will be as follows:
- Water flow improvement
- Flood Alleviation
- Water Quality
- Reduce water weed
- Reduce Water Bills
- Wildlife Conservation
- Water conservation
Steve met with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust earlier in the year and they feel this would be a wonderful project that would not only enhance the woodland waterways but bring even more wildlife and wetlands habitat to the area. They were very very impressed with the concept of a woodlands habitat so close to central London.
We have a problem with the southern end of the system i.e. Downtown Ponds. Steve and others diverted the underground water from the wind turbine into Downtown Pond over the weekend. This has managed to get the water levels up in the front section of that end of the section as you will see when you visit next. but we really do need this Sustainable Drainage System to get the go ahead from the council. Apparently our councillors are going to back this scheme, so we are crossing our fingers!
You can see an initial proposal on this site by clicking here.
Frogmore Development Proposal Update
I missed the meeting held by the Brunswick Quay Residents Association but the main news to come out of that meeting are as follows.
Frogmore are hoping to hold a second public consultation exhibition once they have developed the scheme further, and they envisage that this will take place towards the end of the year. No venue has been arranged yet. In the meantime, Frogmore will be presenting the scheme to the Canada Water Forum on 8th September 2008.
I emailed the Frogmore representative Azizun Choudhury to ask where the meeting would take place and he has no details yet. However, he will contact me to let me know when the venue has been decided upon so I will let you know when I hear from him. But please do keep that date clear in your diaries! Anyone who believes that they will be impacted by the developments (which, given the state of our infrastructure I would argue is all of us!) should try to attend that presentation. Please pass this on, so that we shall have a good attendance and show our strength and interest.
Following the 8th September meeting the Brunswick Quay Residents Association plan to meet soon afterwards to discuss how best to proceed in the light of the presentation to the Canada Water Forum.
28th July 2008
Downtown Site update
Steve and other volunteers spent over two hours with Andrew Boff, walking all around the Downtown Site, as well as other parts of Russia Dock Woodland and Stave Hill Ecological Park. Everyone agreed that it was amazing to think that the Downtown site came under the heading of a “brownfield” site. Andrew Boff has promised to bring this to the attention of Boris Johnson as a matter of urgency. Steve has explained to him that other assembly members such as Valarie Shawcross, and Jenny Jones, have opposed this development from the very start.
Good news is that Steve was able to hand in 251 individual objection letters to the planning department last Friday afternoon. We still have more to deliver over the next couple of days.
The local public have responded to our call for help once again.
Graffiti and water flow
Steve will contact the graffiti team regarding the Stave Hill sculpture, for which my thanks.
There has been a problem getting the fresh water from the wind turbine pump to divert to Downtown ponds, which are now becoming dry. They have been desperately trying to solve this problem over the weekend by 'rodding' the associated pipework to this area of the waterways.
We now have some flow into Downtown pond, but it is very slow. Steve will keep checking it.
Update re Wednesday’s meeting about Frogmore plans for the Leisure Park
The meeting is to take place at 22 Brunswick Quays on Wednesday 30th July at 7pm, but if there are too many of us on arrival we will move outside or, if the weather lets us down, to a nearby hostelry.
27th July 2008
Top picnic venue!
The Independent newspaper has named the Russia Dock Woodland as one of the Best 50 Picnic Spots to visit in its urban category. Here's what they say about us:
This long, thin park in Rotherhithe was formed in 1980 when a former dock (which was originally used for importing timber from Norway, Russia and Sweden – hence the name) was infilled and planted as a 35-acre woodland. An artificial hill, Stave Hill, was later added and it's now a popular picnic spot for those in the know.
Getting there: the closest Tube station is Canada Water, with open access.
For more information visit www.russiadockwood.ukfriends.com
It is really rather nice to know that we have made it into the nationals! Thanks very much to Mike Scott for spreading the good news.
26th July 2008
Meeting re Frogmore development plans for Leisure Park on Wednesday upstairs at the 22 Brunswick Quay
The Brunswick Quay Residents’ Association (BQRA) is holding a meeting to discuss the Frogmore plans for the Leisure Park, which is immediately behind their homes. Anyone interested in attending this meeting is welcome to attend on 30th July (this Wednesday) at 1900. But if you are planning to attend can you let me know first so that I can check with the organizer that the numbers don’t exceed the capacity of the venue: andie@excite.co.uk.
I will be taking minutes at the meeting and will circulate the gist of these after the meeting.
Proposed Bust Stop Accessibility Improvements - Redriff road near Onega Gate (entrance to Russia Dock Woodland)
A leaflet dropped through my letterbox a week or so ago giving details of proposed bus stop changes. The introduction of low floor buses throughout London, fitted with ramps for wheelchair users, has led to to a requirement for appropriate kerbside access to bus stops. A consultation is being held by Southwark Counil to receive comments regarding proposals to help improve bus stop accessibility in Redriff Road at the entrance to Russia Dock Woodland.
The proposed changed include moving the bus stop on the Russia Dock side to the north and adding new red surface dressing wand new footway surfacing. the opposite bus stop will be moved to the south, with the same changes. The gaps left by the old bus stops will be infilled to match the adjacent grass verge.
There’s no website address to point you to, and the illustration of the changes is on A3 so it is too big to scan, but you can see it on the door of the Moby Dick pub, thanks to Joe and Terry. If you want a copy you might try the email address given on the brochure itself: chris.mascord@southwark.gov.uk. Responses must be in by Friday 1st August 2008.
Redriff School celebrated its 100 year anniversary
Redriff Primary School was founded in 1908 in Cow Lane and was rebuilt twice - first in 1949 following Second World War bombing and again in 1990 as part of the docklands redevelopment project. Jon Surtees, in Southwark News, reports that old pupils joined current pupils and teachers to enjoy daytime and evening events including singing and dancing and a performance of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Congratulations to them.
Rotherhithe Angling Club summer holiday programme
The RAC has now launched its programme, which offers free events between 10.00 and 16.00 each Monday, Wednesday and Friday until August 29th 2008. These events will be held in the Canada Water dock in front of Decathlon.
18th July 2008
Help required
Steve Cornish and the DDC need as much help as possible this coming weekend:
We now have a couple of hundred downtown site objection letters printed. We now need some help to knock on a few doors this Saturday/Sunday to get local residents names, and addresses, plus post codes, put on the letters, which will then be hand delivered to the planning office by the end of next week. Please let Steve know if you are available to help this coming Sat/Sun. you can get anyone to fill in the objection letters. It’s all about numbers. if you need some please contact Steve direct on telephone
0207 237 7586 or 07947 275386
or collect at
5 Somerford Way, off Downtown Road.
More re Frogmore plans
Brunswick Quay Residents’ Association are planning a meeting early/mid next week to discuss the Frogmore plans for the Leisure Park. I will post here when I know the date and time. The venue will probably be the upper bar of the Moby Dick pub in Russell Place.
Councillors’ anger over police closure proposal
In Southwark News (July 10 2008, p.9) David Yuill has reported that councillors are angry about the Metropolitan Police Authority’s proposals to close three of Southwark’s police stations. Rotherhithe police station is included in the proposed closures. The others are Camberwell and East Dulwich. Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks Lib Dem councillors expressed concerns in a letter to Southwark News (p.10): “We are angered and concerned about the Met police’s proposal to close Rotherhithe police station without suggesting any alternative. They have also not fully explained to us why it is necesary or how ‘front counter provision’ will work. Rotherhithe already misses out because the response teams are not based there and don’t know the area.” It seems clear from the Southwark News article although the proposals appear to have the support of Southwark’s Borough Commander Malcolm Tillyer, the process of consultation has a long way to go before being implemented,
16th July 2008
Frogmore plans for Leisure Park
Thanks very much to Mark Del Canto of the Brunswick Quay Residents’ Association for forwarding me the PDF file showing Frogmore’s proposed plans for the Leisure Park site. Here is an extract from the introduction, but you can download the entire file in PDF format here.
The site is located in Surrey Docks ward in the London Borough of Southwark. Surrey Quays Leisure Site is situated to the east of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre and is currently used for entertainment and leisure facilities as well as on grade car parking. The existing first generation leisure boxes are nearing the end of their life cycle. The current layout of the site is outdated and arguably does not create a positive public space.
The site is identified in the already adopted Local Plan, The Southwark Plan 2007, which states that the site is suitable for a residential led mixed use development. The guidelines for the site indicate that the site could provide up to 1000 residential homes and that the cinema should be relocated on the site or elsewhere in the Canada Water area.
The site is also included within the emerging local area action plan which will help to guide and implement future development in the area.
Doubtless I haven’t been paying sufficient attention, but what is the “emerging local area action plan” all about?
Here is an extract from the letter that homes which will be impacted by the proposed development were sent by their management company, Russia Court Management, which draws attention to some important points!:
- Up to 1,000 new mixed social/private homes proposed for the existing site.
- Additionally a student residential block proposed
- Existing "Leisure Complex" facilities to be relocated and rehoused towards the western end of the site
- Existing car parking capacity presumably relocated underground
- Increased pedestrian traffic through and around the site - as well as proposed funnelling of pedestrian traffic through Brunswick Quay
- A new traffic junction or roundabout at the mouth of Brunswick Quay - although this is not terribly clear from the outline plans
- Anticipating 1,000 new homes on the site - is incredibly dense for an already well-populated area. That's more than five times the number of homes than currently occupy the whole of Brunswick Quay on a site not much bigger than Brunswick Quay! That's not including the re-housing of the existing leisure facilities or the student residence!
- Provision of underground parking for 1,000 new homes AND the current leisure park customers will involve massive earth-workings and local traffic disruption.
The need to stagger development - re-siting the leisure facilities whilst the old site continues to operate - will involve an extended period of construction and substantial disruption lasting several years. - It's not clear what height the new residential buildings would achieve, but in order to accommodate 1,000 homes, they will have to be considerably higher than the surrounding buildings. Furthermore, the residential buildings are proposed to be fully adjacent to Redriff Road - and not offset like the existing leisure park.
Dear Russia Court Management Resident,
As you have probably gathered, there are plans afoot to completely redevelop the Surrey Quays Leisure Park site across Redriff Road from your home.
Incredible though it may seem, the site's owners have decreed that the cinema, bowling and bingo etc., are coming to the end of their useful life - even though the site was only fully completed ten years ago!
Last weekend, the developers - Frogmore - showed off their preliminary plans for the site to residents and interested parties. If you were unable to attend, then Russia Court has obtained a copy of the presentation - and preliminary plans.
The headlines to immediately note are:
It should be remembered that this is only an outline plan at the moment - but it does appear that Morley, the site owners, are committed to a dramatic reconstruction of the original site. (The Quebec Curve has already closed - and its future seems very uncertain at the moment.) A formal planning application to Southwark Council is anticipated for later in the year.
Although few local residents are probably very fond of the existing site - with its bleak, wind-swept appearance and immensely unattractive facades, these proposals have the potential to have a dramatic effect on the immediate vicinity:
At this point with the development, Frogmore, are apparently keen to hear the views and reactions of local residents. Attached you will find the presentation unveiled last weekend. Following shortly is a feedback/survey form. Although the feedback form would appear to be somewhat skewed in favour of the proposals- most of the questions are seemingly uncontroversial and it offers only the opportunity to "Strongly Agree" but not "Strongly Disagree" it is important Frogmore get a feeling for the views of Brunswick Quay residents. Respondents can also add further comments or objections.
Russia Court Management would urge all residents to make their views known - in an effort to get a new Leisure Park that actually provides wanted services and contributes positively to the attractive neighbourhood. Don't forget, you can also lobby our local MP, Simon Hughes - who was also present at the presentation on Saturday. (Simon@simonhughes.org.uk)
9th July 2008
Information and objection package
Please be aware that the DDC team have been working hard on getting an overall information and objection package together for the general public to take on board, in order to make a judgment on the new application.
The DDC has also put together a letter to the supporters of the DDC. Please view it on this site.
Our objection letter for the general public will be finalised and printed by this weekend and we will be knocking on their doors for members of the public to put their names and addresses down if they agree that this application still does not go anywhere near satisfying the people of Rotherhithe.
As Chairman of the DDC Steve Cornish has written an objection letter, which may be viewed here.
5th July 2008
Oil slick hits dock after Rotherhithe boat sinks
Southwark news writer Jon Surtees reported in this week's Southwark News on the soil slick in Rotherhithe's South Dock, which links both to Greenland Dock and the Thames. It was caused by the sinking of a boat which was moored at the eastern end of the dock last Friday. The oil had already damaged some of the local bird life soon after the slick had formed, and was expected to have a negative impact on fish stocks. The Anglers' Co-Operative Association is looking at the possibility of bringing legal action against Southwark Council. Southwark Council, however, say that they have done everything possible to control the situation in close consulation with the Environment Agency.
Jenny Jones letter re proposed Downtown Development
A letter to the South London Press from Jenny Jones, from the Green Party Group, London Assembly, has raised some of the concerns about the Barratt Homes Downtown development proposals. She writes:
With Southwark Executive's decision to grant Barratt Homes a "new contract" for the sale of the Downtown site in the north of Southwark, who have moved a step close to losing public land, plus its valuable 300 mature trees. Whilst most people accept that some development is necessary, it seems unwise to do this now, in a time of falling prices and unresolved planning applications with Barratt Homes.
Southwark News Rotherhithe interview left out key issues
Pauline E. Adenwalla, Chair of the Canada Water Consultative Forum has highlighted various gaps in the interview with Tim Thompson in the June 26th edition of Southwark News. She says that the regeneration interview omitted to mention "a number of very important key issues, namely non river transport, employment, sustainability, poor air quality and commitment to deliver the swimming pool as per the Master Plan. All of which are major inter-related concerns of the current population - before regeneration has really started." Her points about the transport infrastructure (or lack of it) are most pertinent, and she adds that the Downtown proposals for over 200 dwellings include plans for minimal family units and limited employment opportunities which would raise overall levels of commuter traffic in the area.
Councillors Paul Noblet and Lisa Rajan of the Surrey Docks ward also reopened jointly to the interview. Whilst making it clear that they are not against all development discussions they say that they "are opposed to any plans to move Surrey Docks Farm". They go on "We are against plans to redevelop the cinema site and replace it with flats. And if the Quebec Way does not turn out to be the optimum site for the new Rotherhithe Academy, we will oppose any residential scheme which threatens the unique, low rise character of much of the area."
The staff at the Surrey Docks Farm were predictably and understandably angry about the proposals, with Kath Wittham saying that "No one in their right mind would want to get rid of it [the farm] to build another wharf."
See the newspaper for the full letters.
Locations of ten new police bases revealed
David Yuill from Southwark News has reported this week on the new locations proposed for the Safer Neighbourhood bases, to be introduced as part of police modernisation plans. Plans include the Rotherithe police station which will be replaced with a new base "with front counter provisions".
Bermondsey hit by wave of fake £20.00 notes
Southwark News have reported this week that fake twenty pound notes have been cirucalating in Bermondsey.
Leisure Park Developments
I posted about the proposed development of the Leisure Park by Frogmore last week. Southwark News added some details in their 26th June edition - the Odeon cinema, Hollywood Bowl and Gala Bingo, plus the restaurants, would be relocated under the new plans, into a multi-storey leisure complex. This will be located behind the newly enlarged Tesco store and the rest of the land will be taken up with over 400 houses and flats. The full planning application is expected to be unveiled in Autumn.
I still have the Frogmore flyer sitting on my desk - there is no mention of the 400 houses and flats on that page and it will be interesting to see how the space is going to be used when their initial proposals are unveiled on the 11th and 12th July at Alfred Salter Primary School.
Rotherhithe Festival - Saturday 9th August
The main festival is planned to take place in King George's Fields off Lower Road. It will include a live concert, face painting, stilt walkers, a bouncy fun run, Punch and Judy, a balloon race, fancy dress and a fishing competition. There will be food and information stalls which will include police and wardens, Southwark libraries, BL Canada Quays, Barratt Homes, Conrad Phoenix, St Crhisopher's Hospice, Army Cadets and Time and Talents. Opening days on various sites around Rotherhithe will include St Mary's Church, Sands Films, Time and Talents, Brunel Engine House, Lavender Pumphouse, Docklands Settlement, Surrey Docks Farm, Swedish and Finnish churches and Stave Hill Ecological Park.
Nominations wanted for the Our Heroes 2008 awards
Categories for 2008 are
* Child of courage
* Community campaigner
* Young ambassador
* Sport achiever
* Carer of the year
* Good Samaritan
* Community project
* Fundraiser of the year
* South London Press Award
* Star of the South, London
Nominations can be submitted online at the South London Our Heroes Awards 2008 web page (or by a form in the newspaper itself). The closing date for nominations is September 19th 2008.
Redriff Primary School Centenary Celebrations
As part of their Centenary celebrations Redriff Primary school are holding two events to which they are inviting past pupils, parents and members of staff. The events are on Wednesday 9th July 2008 and Friday 11th July 2008. They are asking for memorabilia that you might have from any past connection with the school on a strictly loan basis. Contact the School Office on 020 7237 4272.
4th July 2008
Latest news re Downtown development plans
Thanks very much to Steve Cornish, Chairman of the Friends of Russia Dock Woodland, for the following email, received this morning:
The application for full planning permission landed on local residents doormats this morning. The 21 day consultation period started from the 1/07/08. So we now only have 19 days to object to the latest proposal. Will the council ever learn. I sometimes wonder who's side they are on.
The new application remarks on the 'new children's play area' which Barratts had to address because of the last applications failure to provide amenity play space. But in no way whatsoever do they mention that to make way for this 'new children's play area' they have taken away the Downtown Community hall re- provision that has always been part of the plans from day one, six years ago. In effect to address this ground for refusal from the previous application Barratts have taken away a large part of the community benefits along with Redriff Schools creche, and breakfast club. Removing these community benefits also helps to address Barratts other grounds for refusal 'poor urban design'. . . the planning committee stated that the school drop off point would be a disaster with only 15 spaces available to park while the entire school, plus the youngsters at the new creche/breakfast were being taken into the school by their parents. Removing these facilities has created a win, win, win, situation for Barratts and a lose lose lose situation for the people of Downtown.
Ruth kelly's reasons for overruling her own planning inspector were "that the community benefits outweigh the dis-benefits". We must remind ourselves that southwark council unanimously decided to challenge her decision at judicial review. So I am now completely lost. We have gone full circle.
We will of course be knocking on doors once again to canvas peoples views on whether this application is in anyway acceptable to them. Early opinion is much to be expected. This new application gives slightly with one hand, while taking massively with the other. with some members of the public stating 'this is now an insult to the local community'. . . .
We will be drafting our objection letter over the weekend so that local people can fill in their names addresses, post code, then we will hand deliver them to the planning dept.
If anyone wishes to look at the new proposals and drawings, they can do so by visiting;
REGENERATION AND NEIGHBOURHOODS
COUNCIL OFFICES
CHILTERN
PORTLAND ST
LONDON SE17 2ES
Between the hours of 10:00 & 4:00, Monday to Friday
3rd July 2008
Proposed redevelopment of Surrey Quays Leisure Park
Following quite neatly on from my previous post (see below), I found on my doormat a single glossy page of A4 outlining Frogmore's proposals for the Surrey Quays Leisure Park (the cinema, bowling alley etc). For those of you who haven't received the page, here's a summary.
There is an exhibition to be held, with the purpose of obtaining feedback, on Friday 11th July 2008 (1700-1900) and Saturday 12th July 2008 (1000-1300) at Alfred Salter Primary School, Quebec Way, Rotherhithe, London SE16 7PL. They say that at the exhibition "the local community will have the opportunity to discuss the potential for this site and view our initial ideas for its redevelopment". Project members will be there to discuss ideas with members of the public.
If you are unable to attend you can contact Aziun Choudhury on 0870 066 8734 or by email at azizun.choudhury@fourcommunications.com.
You can also write to FREEPOST RLSX-KHXT-BGSR, Four Communications, 48 Leicester Square, Lodnon, WC2H 7FG.
Southwark News: The Future of Rotherhithe
Southwark News / Southwark Weekender
An interesting double-page spread in our local newspaper the Southwark News has just featured and interview with senior council officer Tim Thompson, and looks at many aspects of plans for Rotherhithe including the Downtown site and the Surrey Dock Farm.
The term "regeneration" is one of those words which benefits from close consideration - it sounds so positive but can be a disguise for the inauguration of money spinning projects which may regenerate the local government's coffers but can have a far from happy effect on the community itself. It is therefore good to be able to have a chance to review what is being said, proposed and planned.
How will regeneration bosses change the area?
In the first in a series of features looking at the borough’s regeneration, the ‘News’ speaks to senior council officer Tim Thompson
THE MAN at the helm of the Canada Water regeneration scheme says he would like the redevelopment to encompass the whole of Rotherhithe - to address what he called ‘some fundamentally dysfunctional areas’.
Tim Thompson, the council's point man for massive regeneration efforts in both Canada Water and Bermondsey Spa, revealed his hopes during a wide ranging interview where he raised the spectre of the possible destruction of Surrey Docks City Farm, took a controversial swipe at a major local land owner, and revealed he would have "serious doubts" about Fisher Athletic's ability to sustain a 10,000 seat stadium.
The question constantly asked by local residents - just how big is the scheme going to grow? - took well over an hour to answer, with Mr. Thompson eventually concluding: "Well, I hope it is [the whole peninsular] because there are some fundamentally dysfunctional areas that we can address if we do consider it in the round and that is what we're trying to do."
Throughout the interview, Mr. Thompson lifted the lid on radical council thinking that could dramatically reshape the area over the next fifteen years, by potentially demolishing local landmarks such as the Hawkstone Estate and Seven Islands Leisure Centre and building new infrastructure including a revolutionary pedestrian and cycle bridge, that would give the area an above ground link to economic giant Canary Wharf for the first time in its history.
Here's a taster from later on in the interview when Mr Thompson speaks about the Downtown site and the Surrey Docks Farm (which doesn't leave me feeling exactly warm and cosy inside, but I guess you have to make up your own mind):
Bearing in mind the largely private and residential ownership of the Rotherhithe river frontage, what council land could be used to fulfil his objective?
"We own the Surrey Docks Farm", he says. "That's a great local resource but what would people think if you said: 'We want to take the farm away and we want to build a wharf there'? I think you can imagine there would be hue and cry about that. But what's the bigger picture?"
Asked whether he thought the area would benefit more from a new jetty or a City Farm he replies: "Open question. I think you know the answer to it though. But making that decision and getting to a decision making point having consulted with people would be incredibly difficult."
Moving around the peninsular, Mr. Thompson says he is confident that the marathon row over plans to develop the 'Downtown' site of Surrey Docks Health Centre will be sorted "one way or the other" before the end of this year.
See the above page for the full story.
1st July 2008
Rotherhithe Festival date announced
Those in the know have probably been aware of the date for some time, but its news to me so it may be to others as well. The Rotherhithe Festival will take place this year on August 9th. The community festival will be graced with stalls, workshops and performances. At the moment there doesn’t appear to be any information about it on Southwark Council’s Events Page, but I dare say that it will be updated soon. The telephone number for more information is 020 7525 2000. If anyone has any more information about it that I could post please do let me know: andie@excite.co.uk
30th June 2008
Surrey Docks Farm
Great news from Surrey Docks Farm. Their new website has been launched, with more to be added soon, at http://www.surreydocksfarm.org.uk/. The website looks excellent - it is not quite finished but there is already a lot of useful information available.
Not only that but the Farm has a new event has been planned for July 19th between 1300 and 1600 - the Surrey Docks Farm Young Farmers’ Club.
Sunken boat is potential environmental risk to Greenland Dock
A boat has sunk in Greenland Dock. At the time of writing it is by no means clear who is going to take responsibility for the boat or the potential environmental damage to the dock’s wildlife.
28th June 2008
Threat to Surrey Docks Farm?
There is a double page article in this weeks Southwark News in which Council Officer Tim Thompson, the Head of Regeneration is quoted stating that the Surrey Docks Farm “could be destroyed to make way for development”. He goes on to say “we own the land”. His view is that the council must look at all possibilities.
24th June 2008
Update re Barratt Homes proposal for the Downtown Site
On the 24th June 2008 Southwark Council’s Executive Committee decided to grant Barratt Homes a 'new contract' for the sale of the Downtown site. The Downtown Defence Campaign put its case to the executive but they decided to go with the Planning Department recommendation to delegate the power of sale to an un-elected council officer. One executive member stated “How do you think we will get the pot holes in our roads repaired if we don’t get the money in capital receipts from this type of development?”.
Barratt Homes will now put in their revised application some time in September 2008. If this gets the nod then the 300 + trees on the downtown site will be cut down before Christmas 2008. Its now down to you, the local public, to make your voices heard loud and clear.
We will be holding our D.D.C AGM very shortly (before September) to decide on on our future plans. All is not lost, Barratts still have to address the three grounds for refusal received after the last planning failure.
Please see the Deputation presented by Steve Cornish on behalf of the Downtown Defence Campaign on its own page.
20th June 2008
Bermondsey Carnival
Bermondsey Carnival will take place on Saturday July 12 2008. The Southwark website states that this year's theme is 'Countdown to 2012' - unfortunately the website focuses more on terms and conditions rather than explaining what it is all about. However, it appears that a trading event will take place at Southwark Park. I have no idea what that is supposed to be so I suppose that the best strategy is to go along and see! It begins at Spa Road and travels along Grange Road and Southwark Park Road into Southwark Park.
15th June 2008
New photographs on RCSF Photos Collection Website
Thanks to Kam Hong Leung for emailing to let Steve and I know that he has updated his RCSF Photos Collection Website with recent photographs, including 11 new photos of insects from the Russia Dock Woodland, which were recently donated to Rebeka Clark (of the Trust for Urban Ecology) by an entomologist. They can be found at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16999050@N00/sets/72157604053249144
3rd June 2008
Downtown Development Report - Clarification
Clarification by Councillor Paul Noblet, Executive member for Regeneration (Surrey Docks Ward, Lib. Dem., paul.noblet@southwark.gov.uk) re Downtown Site development report that will go to the Executive on 24th June:
I wanted to respond to this email to clear up any confusion around the report that will go to the Executive on the 24th June.
To be absolutely clear, the report is an extension of a development agreement with Barretts which was first signed in 2003, which because the council has had to take the Government to court to judicially review Ruth Kelly’s decision to force the previous application on residents, has now expired.
As some of you will now be aware Barretts will be submitting a new application and are already talking to the Downtown Defence Committee about it. This report does not mean that the application will be automatically granted, it does not mean that the Planning Committee will do anything other than consider any application objectively and it does not mean that the council or the executive have a view on the development one way or the other.
As ward councillors, David, Lisa and I are always happy to hear from residents with their views and if people would like to bring a deputation to the Town Hall on the 24th they would be welcome. However, I think we might all be better reserving our energies for when the Planning Committee considers the new application, I presume at some time during July.
June 1st 2008
Items of interest in Southwark Life Magazine
Southwark Council’s June 2008 magazine hit my doormat today. It is a mainly “green” edition and there are one or two items of interest to those of us in Rotherhithe. I’ve highlighted a couple of points below:
- A trip around Rotherhithe from Tower Bridge is detailed and recommended. The two-page spread says that a tourist map of Rotherhithe peninsular is being produced (it doesn’t say when this will be available).
- A Southwark bike trail has been produced which mentions a Rotherhithe Bike Trail. It says that it is a traffic-free route around Canada Water, Russia Dock Woodland, Greenland Dock and Surrey Quays. Maps are available from Decathlon or can be ordered (see the London Cycling Campaign for details and links to the TFL ordering page).
- On July 11th and 12th a green fair will be taking place as part of Southwark Park’s “The Event”.
- Scam artists have been posing as charity collectors in the area by putting flyers through peoples doors asking for unwanted clothes which are then resold. The advice is to donate clothes only to registered charities - you can check registered numbers with the Charity Commission on 0845 300 0218.
25th April 2008
Rare birds at home in haven
The Docklands newspaper recently published an article about the discovery of kingfishers who were seen fishing at the Downtown Pond in the Russia Dock Woodland. The photograph, taken by Steve Cornish, and the accompanying article have been posted by Kam Hong Leung on his Flickr Photstream at the following address:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16999050@N00/2441986794/