Local Forum on the CPZ review

There will be a Local Forum on the CPZ review at Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 on Thursday 23rd November at 7pm. If you don't already know about it and want to attend please contact Brian Hanson (brian.hanson@greenwich.gov.uk), who will presumably be able to provide an agenda.

Planning Applications October 2006

35 Coleraine Road 06/2222 /TC
Work to lime, oak and Tree of Heaven and fell Leyland Cypress

7 Hardy Road 06/2172 /F
Replacement of existing house with two new houses (Revisions)

66 Foyle Road 06/2178 /F
Erection of a single-storey rear and side extension

25 Glenluce Road 06/2287 /F
Erection of detached garage and new decking

134 Humber Road 06/2253 /F
Erection of a single-storey rear extension and installation of new windows and French doors

38 Mycenae Road 06/2240 /TC
Tree work

42 Mycenae Road 06/2246 /TC
Fell fir tree in rear garden

221 Westcombe Hill 06/2312/F
Erection of a single-storey rear extension and window to side

53 Ulundi Road 06/2353 /TC
Reduce to 2-3m 2 self seeded ash trees in rear garden

221 Westcombe Hill 06/2312 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension and new door and window to side elevation

Flat 3 Vanbrugh Castle 06/2294 /F 06/2295 /L
Erection of a single storey rear extension in the form of an Orangery and re-instatement of side window

Heart of East Greenwich Public Exhibition

Following the previous consultation meeting on 20th July, English Partnerships‚ three short-listed developers have drawn up their proposals for the development of the former Greenwich District Hospital site and therefore a public exhibition will be held at the Forum @ Greenwich, Trafalgar Road, on Tuesday 10th October, at 7pm.

The exhibition will be a chance for local residents to view the three proposals, including models and images of how the site will look, and to make comments on the different schemes. Your comments will then be taken into account in our selection of the preferred development partner.

The Heart of East Greenwich project is being delivered by English Partnerships in partnership with Greenwich Council. The development will deliver a new East Greenwich Centre including a leisure centre, library, health centre and council offices. Private and affordable homes will also be built, including homes for key workers. Alongside this will be a small number of new retail facilities.

We hope you are able to join us at the public exhibition and look forward to your comments. If you have any questions before then, please do not hesitate to contact myself or my colleague James Dunn (jamesdunn@englishpartnerships.co.uk).

Philip Dibsdale
Area Director - Greenwich
London and Thames Gateway
Tel: 020 7531 2491
Mobile: 07881 654052

Management Plan for Westcombe Woodlands

The Woodlands are currently in the ownership of the Blackheath Woodlands Company, a company set up and owned by the Blackheath Preservation Trust. They are 3.6 acres in size, and were acquired from the Regional Health Authority in the 1970s. The Health Authority owned the Nurses Home in Restell Close to the north of the site. This land has recently been acquired by the developers Laing O’Rourke who have planning permission to demolish the present buildings and develop flats on the site.

The woods were historically used for quarrying sand and gravel, although in the latter part of the 19th Century the flatter areas of the woods were laid out to gardens and allotments. Some of the finer trees in the woods are probably attributable to this period. The last house on the site, called The Woodlands, was demolished in the early part of the 20th century.

The Blackheath Preservation Trust (BPT) approached Tim Barnes, the Chairman of the Greenwich Society and Dick Allard, Chairman of the Westcombe Society in April 2006 with a view to disposing of the woodlands, and involving the 2 local amenity societies and other local interests in their acquisition.

For full details of the Westcombe Society/Greenwich Society proposal for the Woodlands, please visit;

Westcombe Society
Full Management Plan (in PDF format - requires Acrobat Reader)

All comments are welcome....!

The Role of the UN in Furthering the Peace Process in the Middle East

On Wednesday 18th October Chris Doyle, Director of CAABU (The Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding) is giving a talk in Blackheath on "The Role of the UN in Furthering the Peace Process in the Middle East " with particular reference to Israel/Palestine.

The meeting takes place in The Old Bakehouse, Bennett Park (opposite the station in Blackheath Village) - behind Age Exchange. The meeting starts at around 8.10pm - just after the short AGM of Blackheath & Greenwich United Nations Association, which is organizing the meeting. The talk will be followed by questions and discussion and refreshments. All are welcome.

Planning Applications June 2006

26A Glenluce Road 06/1318 /F
Formation of a driveway to existing front garden (Retrospective)

42 Humber Road 06/1300 /F
Erection of a first floor rear extension

53 Ulundi Road 06/1301 /F
Erection of a single storey rear conservatory (Resubmission)

Woodlands, Norfolk, Jenner and Lister House, Restell Close 06/1349 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to condition 11 (junction works) of legal agreement dated 20.1.06 Ref. 03/2022/F for the refurbishment of Norfolk House, including recladding and extension, demolition of Lister and Jenner houses and erection of a new 11 storey building with underground parking to provide for 281 units

37 Westcombe Park Road 06/1344 /TC
Fell a Cherry, two Sycamores, Ash, Conifer and Rhus trees in rear garden

44 Beaconsfield Road 06/1428 /TC
London PLane tree - reduce by 25% and re-pollard lime tree to last reduction points

2 Highmore Road 06/1430 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension and alterations to front elevation of property (Resubmission)

27 Charlton Road 06/1434 /CP
Erection of a single storey rear and side infill extension. (resubmission)

12 Ulundi Road 06/1422 /TC
Rear Garden - remove large bay tree and replace with fruit trees, fell diseased/dying plum, apple, Fell overgrown Plum, cherry and replace with fruit trees, reduce back 5-6 branches of hazel, reduce maple by 2m and ash tree reduce height by approx. 1m and reduce side laterals by 2m. Front Garden - poplar - reduce by 1m. Cherry crown lift by max 1m and remove 2-3 heavy low limbs

80 Westcombe Park Road 06/1590 /F
Formation of a loft conversion with two dormer windows to rear & two velux windows to front roof slope.

21 Vanbrugh Park 06/1601 /F
Change of use of ground and first floors to provide 2 x 2-bed self-contained flats

12 Old Dover Road 06/1609 /F
Change of use from A1 (Shop) to A2 (Betting Office) use.

37 Glenluce Road 06/1557 /TP
Ash tree - to reduce up to 30% and lift lower branches, Holly tree - to reduce and reshape by 25%, small Elderberry tree - to fell and Cob Nut tree - remove branches and remove younger spindly growth around the base, Ash tree (2)- remove folk at circa 3-4 metres.

Land to the side of 1 Lassetter Place 06/1561 /TC
Cut back overhanging sycamore from roof, remove one low limb of ash tree growing towards front door and driveway

31 & 33 Hardy Road 06/1518 /TC
Conifer to the side of 33 remove. Oak - cut back overhang from driveway, sycamore in rear garden of 31 - remove

5, 6 & 7 Vanbrugh Park Road West 06/1652 /TP
Sycamore tree-near building - remove limb. Ash-lift lower branches to clear 12ft, Acer Sacharinum-lift 3-4 low hanging branches. Sycamore-cut back to clear 2m,cut back limbs overhanging next door, trim back large branch growing towards roof. Next Sycamore- remove 5 limbs,2 small Sycamores-remove 2 limbs, Lime-lift growth to clear path & through wall by 1m, other Sycamores thin by 25-50%

58 Beaconsfield Road 06/1643 /TC
Plane trunk (old pollard) fell and replace. Horse chestnut decayed - crown reduce by 30%. Horse chestnut - crown thin by 25%. 4 lime pollards - crown reduce by 25%. Willow - remove one low limb over neighbour

44 Mycenae Road 06/1645 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension. (Re-submission)

16 Glenluce Road 06/1611 /F
Conversion into four self-contained flats and provision of three car parking spaces (Resubmission

The Standard Pub

I have just heard from Julian Crispin, who deals with pub licences for the Blackheath Society that Mr. Hart of 3, Stratheden Road, has appealed to LBG for a Variation of Licence for The Standard pub citing noise, fights, failure to shut the windows when there is music, etc. These are the only details that I have except that people can write in support by the 10th August. Further information may possibly be displayed near the pub.

July Planning Applications

Flat 3, 15 Station Crescent 06/1733 /F
Erection of railings, access door and screening to use part of the third floor as a roof terrace (Resubmission)

192 Westcombe Hill 06/1722 /F
Change of use of first and second floors into two self-contained flats. (Re-Submission)

74 Westcombe Hill 06/1716 /F
Erection of a single storey rear infill extension

111 Mycenae Road 06/1674 /TC
Fell willow tree in rear garden and pollard sycamore

75 Beaconsfield road 06/1790/F
Demolition of existing garage and erection of a two storey side extension, single storey rear infill extension and dormer window to the front elevation

Lovell's, Granite Badcock's and Pipers Wharf Pelton Road, Christchurch Way, Banning Street 06/1749 /F
Redevelopment for mixed-use comprising offices, studio workshops, hotel, 667 residential units, retail, restaurant/ cafe/bar, boatyard/club, ecological centre, medical health centre health club, creche, new open spaces, tidal garden, sports areas, play area, river slipway, parking 742 cars, vehicular access arrangements, cycle/pedestrian routes/landscaping

Greenwich Park Noise Nuisance

The Stella Artois Film Shows on the W/E of July 22nd-23rd 2006 caused a considerable noise nuisance to residents as far away from the Park as Beaconsfield Road and even Mycenae Road in Westcombe Park.

It has been reported that the Council's Noise Nuisance Team were running checks on noise levels in Crooms Hill, but not on the east side of the Park where the noise nuisance was inevitably going to transfer to following the relocation of the event fom the 2005 shows behind the National Maritime Museum.

Local residents hotline

The Royal Parks claim to be working hard to minimise any inconvenience to Greenwich residents as a result of events in Greenwich Park. If, however, you do need to report any problems during these events you can contact a member of Royal Parks staff on 07896 290721. Please note that this telephone number is only operational during the event itself.

Pole dancing licence for The Plaza, Vanbrugh Hill

Local residents may be shocked to here that there is a proposal (more than that already!) for a Pole Dancing club at The Plaza site atthe junction of Vanbrugh Hill and Trafalgar Road.

http://greenwichwatch.blogspot.com/2006/07/residents-take-on-council-over-pole.html
http://www.casino-avenue.co.uk/2006/07/strange-things-afoot-in-greenwich.htm

A public meeting is to be held on Tuesday 18th July at Lovell Hall at the Christchurch Forum at 8pm.

GDH Development Public Meeting

The next public meeting to be held to discuss the plans for the redevelopment of the old Greenwich District Hospital Site will take place at The Forum @ Greenwich on Thursday, July 20th 2006, 7pm. Three possible developers have been shortlisted for the Project by English Partnerships. A short presentation will be given by each of them outlining their commitment to the project and residents will then be given the opportunity to ask them questions or raise issues. Proposals will then be worked up and a further exhibition of plans will be held in September 2006. It is hoped to be able to make a decision on the winning proposal by November 2006, with building to start in Autumn 2007.

Picnic in the Pleasaunce

A 'Picnic in the Park' is being organised by the Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce at the Pleasuance from 12 noon onwards, June 4th 2006. Bring your picnic - and take part in music, games and family fun.

See their Web site for further details.

GDH chimney demolition

As the old Greenwich District Hospital demolition nears its conclusion, the chimney is coming down using 'controlled explosives' on Sunday 18 June 2006 between 8:30 and 10:30am. Traffic will be diverted from the roads immediately surrounding the hospital site.

For more information, contacts are given as Simon Powell of English Partnerships (0207 531 2486), Philip Ashfield from Squibb and Davies (07973 741719) and Danny O'Leary who is the Squibb and Davies Project Manager based on site (07736 018451).

Latest on plans for 422, 108 and 129

The Council have sent their latest comments on the proposed changes to routes 108 and 422 and new route 129.

They are based on further consultation with Councillors, Officers, resident's groups, other organisations and local residents who reponded to the earlier consultation letter.

In brief, they now accept the comments of local residents that the original plans to re-route the 422 should be shelved and that it should continue as before to service Woolwich Road, Blackwall Lane, John Harrison Way (for the Millennium Primary School) and North Greenwich Station.

They continue to support the proposed diversion of route 108 to service Sainsburys, Filmworks, the Greenwich Millenium Village and North Greenwich Station. Some concerns have, however, been expressed by residents of East Greenwich that In order to serve the curent and future needs of the new housing developments along Woolwich Road. It is now recommended that London Buses monitor the situation, and if necessary provide increased frequencies on route 422 at peak hours between Woolwich Road, Blackwall Lane and North Greenwich. It is further suggested that the night service of 108 (N108) be run along the existing route of the 422 when the 422 is not running, and removing the loss of a cross-river bus service from Woolwich Road/Blackwall Lane residents, as well as removing some of the noise nuisance experienced by GMV residents close to the Southern Way busway.

There has been only limited support for the idea of running the 129 from Greenwich Town Centre to Charlton Station via Sainsburys and the Odeon as opposed to London Buses original proposal to terminate at North Greenwich Station. However, there has been concern from GMV residents over the increased number of buses that would be using the busway. The Council therefore suggest that there should be a survey of passenger destinations on the new 129 route and that consideration may then be given to seeking alternative destinations along Bugsby's Way.

Finally, once again, the Council note the failure of London Buses to provide data to justify any of the original route changes. While recognising that surveys require resourcing, in an area of rapid development, passenger origin and destination figures and the desire for completely new routes and limited stop services from areas in the south of the Borough to North Greenwich Station should have been explored more fully.

Westcombe Society AGM

Members are invited to attend the 2006 Westcombe Society Annual General Meeting, to be held on Saturday, 13th May 2006 in the Main Hall of Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, SE3.

The AGM commences at 12.00pm and light refreshments will be served.

If you are unable to attend the AGM and you have a question for the Society or would like to make a nomination to the Executive or Environment Committee, please contact Joanne Lucas on 020 8293 3429.

One of the main Agenda items will be the future of 'Westcombe Woodlands' (see comment elsewhere in this Blog).

Greenwich Park Licence Outcome

Greenwich Council's Licensing Committee recently received 28 letters of objection to an application by the Royal Park for an almost 'carte blanche' extension to their 'event's licence. This included quite strong objections from both the Friends of Greenwich Park and the Greenwich Society.

The Licensing Committee reached a decision on April 22nd which reflects a high degree of nimbyism, and which should be of particular concern to the residents of western side of the Westcombe Park area.

For reasons which are not clear, many residents at the western end of the park seemed to have received letters from the Council containing much more information than the notice attached to the Park railings, which was all many at the eastern end of the Park had to go on. This might explain the relative lack of objections from the Westcombe area, as may the fact that the eastern end suffered less from the problem with late-night film events in 2004. The decision effectively states:

1. Residents reside on three sides of the Park
2. Residents suffered noise nuisance when two outdoor films were shown in Greenwich Park in 2004
3 The Park accepts that the showing of both films caused a noise nuisance to residents.

It has nevertheless sought, and been granted permission to show seven (7), instead of two (2), films but in the area to the south of the Bandstand - more distant from the northern and western homes, but a clear threat to Westcombe Park residents.

A greater noise nuisance will thus be caused, but to a different group of residents, viz., those living in the Westcombe area. In the summer, residents of Vanbrugh Fields can hear the (unamplified) sound of bands playing at the Bandstand on a Sunday afternoon. That is not considered objectionable. However, highly amplfied sound until nearly midnight from film shows like those that caused so much nuisance in 2004 is a very different situation.

One feature of the application was rejected. Many residents (including the Friends and Greenwich Society) pointed out that the films were scheduled to end after the last train had left Maze Hill, creating a powerful incentive for the audience to try to come by car. The Committee therefore specified a 23.30 ending, which means people who run from the Bandstand area might just catch the last train.

There are 21 days (from 22 April) for appeals. Unfortunately, those who appeal against the decision might have to pay the Park Agency's costs if the appeal is unsuccessful, so it is not an option for individuals.

It seems that the seven film shows a year may be additional to the seven major events that are also permitted. A major event is defined as one with an audience of up to 20,000 - c.f. the O2 Dome Arena (23,000) and Charlton's Valley Stadium (27,000). The parking implications could therefore become overwhelming.

Any comments?

Local Elections 2006

United Nations Association (Blackheath & Greenwich Branch)

PUBLIC HUSTINGS MEETING

Question Time

Your chance to meet candidates standing in the Local Elections for the Lewisham ward of Blackheath & the Greenwich ward of Blackheath/Westcombe and to ask questions about issues that concern you.

The Old Bakehouse, Bennett Park, Blackheath (opposite the station)
Wednesday 26th April at 8.00 pm

Planning Applications - April 2006

144 Humber Road 06/0661 /CP
Erection of a single storey rear extension

25 Ulundi Road 06/0713 /TC
Pear tree - thin by 25% and reduce all round by 1m. Sycamore - reduce all round by 2m, crown thin by 25% and trim back limbs to kerb edge. Magnolia - trim back limbs to balance

85 Maze Hill 06/0792 /F
Amendment to previously approved planing permission to replace roof of rear single storey extension

192 Westcombe Hill 06/0797 /F
Change of use of the first and second floors to two self-contained flats

75 Coleraine Road 06/0770 /TC
Sycamore tree in front garden - fell due to close proximity to wall and replace with suitable variety

27 Charlton Road 06/0847 /CP
Erection of a single storey rear and side infill extension

53 Ulundi Road 06/0834 /F
Erection of a single storey rear conservatory

What Future for 'The Woodlands'?

The Woodlands, the wooded area on old quarries between Maze Hill and Vanbrugh Hill currently owned by BPT Woodlands Company is to benefit from £57,800 funding over the next 6 years from the developers of the Restell Close Nursing Homes site as a result of a Section 106 agreement between the developers and the Council. Following this long-delayed news, the Blackheath Preservation Trust are discussing with the Westcombe Society and others transferring ownership of the site to a separate and more locally based organisation. The Society has until mid-June to decide whether or not it has a serious interest in being part of this new organisation. The initial view of the Society’s Committee is that it should, but before making any commitment we must first take a view on the appropriate form of the organisation and the nature of the Society’s participation. This could be a very big commitment, and it will be a major topic for members at the Society’s AGM on 13 May 2006 at Mycenae House.

Since acquiring the site in 1980, the BPT has done only the minimum maintenance work to meet its public liability obligations. The new funding should provide for secure perimeter fencing and a more active approach to woodland management, as well as covering running costs (including insurance). Given the precipitous nature of parts of the site, a major issue for any new organisation will be that of access - and views have varied from locking the gate and throwing away the key, through various degrees of educational access, right the way through to its use for tennis courts and picnics! Both the level of woodland management and the extent of access will determine the need for additional funding (both during the first 6 years and beyond) and the ability to apply for such funding.

Because of the potential size of this project, the Society will be looking at possibilities of working in partnership with the Greenwich and Blackheath Societies, as well as seeking to involve the immediate neighbours of The Woodlands. The eventual organisation might take many forms – for example, it might be closely controlled by one or more of the three societies, or it may be that we simply facilitate the setting up of a completely separate and independent organisation. This might be some form of charitable trust, or a CIC (community interest company), a new type of limited company created in 2005 to facilitate social enterprise. There could also be an associated “Friends of The Woodlands”.

We need your views - so please offer your comments here, write to the Westcombe New - or (Society members) please come along to the AGM where there will be the opportunity to discuss the options.

Planning Applications, March 2006

44 Mycenae Road 06/0401 /F
Erection of a part single, part two storey rear extension

111 Maze Hill 06/0458 /TC
Reduce Catalpa and ash and fell small apricot tree

55-57 Invicta Road 06/0594 /F
Demolition of former coach garage and two dwellings. Erection of 9 x 2-bedroom, 4 x 1-bedroom flats and parking for 10 cars

46 Glenluce Road 06/0572 /CP
Demolition of existing and erection of a new conservatory to the rear

Fairhaven House, 111 Mycenae Road 06/0575 /C
Demolition and replacement of single storey rear extension and alterations to the terrace and internally.

69 Maze Hill 06/0531 /F
Erection of rear box dormer and alterations to side/front roof area

60B Coleraine Road 06/0620/F
Loft conversion with Velux windows

East Greenwich Pleasaunce

East Greenwich Pleasaunce - Friends Public Meeting - 20th March 2006, 7pm at the Forum@Greenwich.

East Greenwich Food Market

The next East Greenwich Food Market will be held on 25th March 2006, 11am-5pm on the old Robert Owen Nursery School site at the top of Pelton Road (just off the Woolwich Road end of Blackwall Lane).

Woodland/Mycenae House

A meeting was held on March 10th with Council representatives, Westcombe Society Committee members, Vanbrugh Community Association members and representatives from the Steiner School to discuss the latest developments with regard to the future of Woodlands and Mycenae House.

There is a prospect of exchange of contracts with the Steiner School for a 125 year lease on Woodlands within the next few weeks (it is currently with the Chris Roberts, Council Leader) and emergency work could then be started on Woodlands. The Steiner School's developer would then put in a planning application for the residential development proposed for a small part of the site which is paying for everything, and if that goes smoothly then there be completion in about 5 months. However, there is every reason to consider that the residential proposal will not be problem-free, and there could be additional delays before the formal exchange of contracts.

East Greenwich Gyratory Works

Work has finally started on the Meridian Delta Section 106-funded works to improve the 'desire line' crossing options at this busy intersection beneath the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Approach flyover.

These include a new pedestrian crossing on the north side of the gyratory to facilitate pedestrian movements from the north side of the Woolwich Road to Sainsburys, Comet & B&Q, and a new bus gate to carry a service from Westcombe Hill in to the slip-road from the A102 to the gyratory. It has not yet been confirmed which route, or routes, will use this gate, but it is likely to be the 108. The 422 may use the gate, but will otherwise continue on its present route along Woolwich Road and Blackwall Lane and John Harrison Way to North Greenwich Station.

Planning applications , February 2006

Flat 1 73 Humber Road 06/0025 /F
Erection of single storey rear extension

Invicta School, Invicta Road 06/0026 /F
Erection of a new perimeter fence and gates and erection of a canopy

Barclays Bank, 43A Vanbrugh Park 06/0034 /A 06/0032 /F
Erection of two signs: one sign internally illuminated and one sign non-illuminated
and installation of an ATM machine on the north side elevation of building.

105 Humber Road 06/0048 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to condition 1 (Sound Insulation) of planning permission dated 21.12.05 (Ref No.05/2759/F) for the creation of one self-contained flat above and retain existing veterinary practice

195 Westcombe Hill 06/0096 /F
Use of part of rear garden for the erection of two parking spaces

32 Westcombe Park Road 06/0080 /TC
Fell cherry and lime trees in rear garden and replace with trees at least 2m in height

25D Mycenae Road 06/0146 /F
Demolition of existing single storey rear extension and erection of a new single storey rear extension

84 Coleraine Road 06/0260 /F
Loft conversion comprising two rear dormer windows and two Velux windows to the front (Re-submission)

2 Vanbrugh Castle 121 Maze Hill 06/0306 /F 06/0308 /L
Demolition of existing and erection of new roof terrace to provide enclosed structure

3A Coleraine Road 06/0300 /F
Erection of a single storey conservatory at rear of property

93 Westcombe Park Road 06/0291 /F
Demolition of existing garage at rear and erection of a single storey structure

Woodlands, Restell Close 06/0355 /TC 06/0359 /TC
Fell three sycamore trees on the steep bank and crown lift and thin max 30% Holm Oak.
Remove 22 young, 6 semi-mature and 3 mature sycamore trees and prune back 3 mature sycamores

47 Westcombe Park Road 06/0346 /F
Erection of two sets of gates to front driveway of property (Resubmission)

Threat to Tunnel Avenue plane trees

Blog visitor Indigo has posted the following item...

May I take advantage of your blog to request the Westcombe Society's support for the local residents' petition to the LBG asking the Council to work together with the local residents to find an alternative to a mass tree cull of all the 50-year-old plane trees?

You can download the petition narrative and form from;

http://www.maritime-greenwich.net/moodyblue/GT-THE-BC-PH-tunnel-avenue-petition.doc

The narrative includes a charming photograph of the plane trees when they were saplings, 50 years ago, complete with haystack in the foreground.

Greenwich Emotion Map

Local residents may be interested in the use of some amazing new tools, bio-mappers, to create an 'emotional map' of the Greenwich Peninsula. You will need to download a copy of Google Earth - now available for both PCs and Macs from;

Google Earth

The Project is fully documented at;

Greenwich Emotion Map

Peninsula.me.uk Project

This Project provides a new way to work with everyone in the Greenwich Peninsula area to build new ways of communicating local information and discussing local issues. Meet other East Greenwich and Peninsula residents and learn about your local area.

Forum@greenwich, 28th February, 2006, 6pm-8pm, or 4th March 2006, 11am-1pm. e-Mail: Forum@greenwich

Greenwich Transport for Sustainable Communities Conference

This is to be held at Greenwich University's Avery Hill Campus from 9.30am-1 pm on March 4th, 2006.

Workshops on Transport and Liveability, Transport Opportunity and Choice, Planning for the future transport needs of the borough.

Details: 020 8921 5915 or eMail emma.o'shea@greenwich.gov.uk

Further update on 108, 129 and 422 bus routes

Following consultations which took place last summer a response to the latest Council's letter of 30th November 2005 has been received from TfL/London Buses.

The revised proposalsd include retaining the 422 on its current routing via Woolwich Road, Blackwall Lane and John Harrison Way. This is likely to be welcomed as good news and reflects the strong views expressed by the Council, local residents and Millennium School parents during the consultation process.

Route 108 will be diverted via Sainsbury's/Odeon, as originally proposed, and supported by the Council, to provide a new direct link between Blackheath Village, Blackheath Standard and Sainsburys.

TfL have turned down the Council's proposals for the new route 129 which were that instead of following all the other routes along the busway through the Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV) to North Greenwich, it might run on from Sainsbury's/Odeon via Bugsbys Way and terminate at Charlton Station, thus providing residents of Greenwich and East Greenwich with a direct service to Asda and the new retail stores on both sides of Bugsbys Way, as well as to Sainsburys. The main reason given for turning down this suggestion is the need to provide extra capacity for passengers from the GMV to North Greenwich in the morning peak, although no figures have been provided to quantify this problem, as requested.

There has also been no response to the Council's suggestion that a cost benefit study could be undertaken to examine whether longer distance passengers (eg from Thamesmead, Woolwich and Eltham) could be provided with peak hour express services to North Greenwich to take the pressure off existing routes through the GMV. The proposed changes will result in an additional 11 buses/hour in each direction through the GMV, totalling 39 buses/hour each way (daytime) with route 422 continuing to provide a further 6 buses/hour each way along John Harrison Way.

Should anyone wish to comment on the revised proposals please do so by Friday 17th March 2006, in time for the Council to meet TfL's statutory consultation deadline of 24th March 2006.

Please send any email responses to: aneta.popiel@greenwich.gov.uk

Time to Listen Meeting

The next 'Time to Listen' meeting will be held at St. Alfege Church Hall, SE10 on 28th February at 7.30pm. Andrew Boag from London Buses will be in attendance - and Cllr. Mary Mills (Chair) looks forward to seeing lots of people with interesting and pertinent questions and points to put forward.

eMail: timetolisten@greenwich.gov.uk

Greenwich Market Future?

The Society is extremely concerned to learn from an article in the Evening Standard that the owners of the Greenwich Market site in Greenwich Town Centre, the Greenwich Hospital Trust, have announced that they propose to re-develop the site.

The Leader of Greenwich Council, Chris Roberts, has written an open letter to the Evening Standard in which he roundly condemns the proposal and urges a re-think.

If you are opposed to this move, then please ensure that you use every opportunity to voice your concern over this matter whenever the opportunity arises.

We will post more information here when we receive it.

108, 422 and new 129 route update

TfL Buses have responded to suggestions offered by Greenwich Council in their response to the original proposals - previously reported here. They indicate surprise at the level of response and interest, and suggest that the replies appear biased in favour of certain areas and don’t take in to account the needs of others. They state that they are pleased with the acceptance of the change to the 108 route to serve Sainsbury’s etc., but question whether the Council’s proposal to route the new 129 to serve Charlton Station involved a re-routeing away from North Greenwich. If so, it is considered that the prime purpose of the proposals, additional capacity through the GMV and an alternative link from Woolwich Road to North Greenwich, would not be achieved. They also state that the suggestion the 422 should use the proposed new bus gate in Westcombe Hill, but continue to service Woolwich Road and Blackwall Lane, would be taken in to account before a final decision is made. In conclusion they state that no final decisions have yet been taken over these proposals.

Greenwich Peninsula Update

Work is in progress on the development of the Piazza (aka Millennium Square), a large space, the equivalent of Leicester Square. The proposed opening date of the Piazza in summer 2007.

Improvement to public transport links include a bus priority lane at Westcombe Hill/A102M, prevention of rat running in Blackwall Lane, route 108 priorities north of Blackwall Tunnel, remote traffic messaging in the wider region and escalator works at North Greenwich (currently involving W/E closures of the station).

Developers will also be embarking on new soft landscaping (plants and trees). They will consult widely on this and work is due to be finished by mid-2007.

Discussions well advanced for Ravensbourne College to be accommodated on the Peninsula. They will have to fund the relocation through development of the College’s present site in Chislehurst, but this has currently been blocked by London Borough of Bromley. Discussions are continuing.

Westcombe Society Environment Committee (1/2006)

Some useful local transport links...

London Underground

South Eastern Trains, serving the Greenwich line and other local services

Live Departures from Greenwich Station

Live Departures from Maze Hill

Live Departures from Westcombe Park

London Buses

DLR Departures

North Greenwich Jubilee Line

Greenwich Council Car Club

Ever need to get your hands on a car for a few hours or an occasional weekend away?

Why not join the Greenwich Car Club?

What is the car club?
The car club is a pool of cars that members of the club can use.

Initially there will be 8 cars placed in the Town Centre in dedicated parking bays at four locations.

The car club will be operated by Streetcar and BioRegional in partnership with the Council.

How does it work?
When you join Streetcar you will be given a Smartcard.

You can use this card to access a pre-booked car at any time.

You can book a car over the phone or via the internet for periods of 30 minutes upwards.

How do I join?
For full details of the scheme and how to sign up, go to the Streetcar website.

December Planning Applications

Former Conservative Club 12 Charlton Road 05/3002 /F
Enlargement of existing building incorporating a first floor side extension and two-storey rear extension to provide 10 self-contained flats and erection of four x three storey dwellings with mansard roofs and associated car parking

Flat 4, Vanbrugh Castle, 121 Maze Hill 05/3004 /L
External alterations to provide for the erection of a spiral staircase and extension of summerhouse

42 Mycenae Road 05/3095 /TC
Remove one low limb of Scots pine in rear garden

9 Hardy Road 05/3102 /CP
Erection of new conservatory to replace existing conservatory

45 Westcombe Park Road 05/3103 /TC
Robinia - remove low limb over roof. Oak reduce by 30%. 6 small conifers reduce height by 1m. Robinia - remove basal growth

2 Bellfield Close, formerly known as R/O 16 Charlton Road 05/3134 /F
Conversion of detached dwelling into two self-contained flats

Flats 1-12 70A Beaconsfield Road 05/3135 /F
Replacement of existing windows with UPVC double glazed windows

Flats 1-24, 65 Westcombe Park Road 05/3136 /F
Replacement of existing windows with UPVC double glazed windows

30 Foyle Road 05/3109 /TC
Crown reduce and thin by max 30% two trees in rear garden and crown lift to clear 3m

6 Vanbrugh Fields 05/3110 /TC
Horse chestnut in rear garden - crown reduce by 20-30% and crown thin by 30%

24 Coleraine Road 05/3190 /TP
Robinia in rear garden - reduce back to suitable growth point 2-3 low limbs overhanging from adjoining property

47 Westcombe Park Road 05/3150 /F
Erection of 2 pairs of gates to front driveway of property