Thursday, December 06, 2007

Village Green Application for Woodlands

Many local residents may not have seen the report in the Mercury about the the application for the grounds of Woodlands to be registered as Village Green under recent legislation, preserving the grounds from development and allowing them to be used for lawful sports and pastimes in perpetuity. This complements the recently started renovation of Woodlands House, which the Council had allowed to fall into a sorry state. The application, which received the unanimous support of some 160 local residents, was rejected (by one vote).

Due to the sensitivity of the issue and the conflict of interest (the Council would be a major financial beneficiary if the application were rejected) it was originally expected to be heard by an independent public enquiry. The Council’s legal advice was that where there was a dispute on the facts or on whether use has been ‘as of right’, “the practice of commons registration authorities has been to hold a ‘non-statutory public enquiry’ whereby an independent inspector is appointed to hear the evidence”

Although an independent public enquiry is not mandatory, Lady Justice Arden opined, in an important test case, that ”if the registration authority has itself to make a decision on the application….. it should proceed only after receiving the report of an independent expert (by which I mean a legal expert) who has at the registration authority's request held a non-statutory public inquiry”.

She added that “One advantage of such an inquiry is that the proceedings can take place with some degree of informality and utilising a flexible approach to procedure. Moreover, those conducting the inquiry may be able to take account of evidence which is not strictly admissible. This may be a valuable feature of an inquiry, given the period of time over which actions of local inhabitants may have to be investigated. The authority may indeed consider that it owes an obligation to have an inquiry if the matter is of great local interest”.

But the plan was changed. It was decided that the hearing would not be by an independent inspector but by the full Council chaired by the mayor. Even that was later amended in favour of a three person committee chaired by the Leader of the Council (a procedure which was contrary to the Council’s Constitution, which had to be specially amended for the purpose). The Committee split on party lines.

Such a committee is clearly biased (using the term in the technical rather than pejorative sense). The English Standards Board, which provides guidance to Councillors on standards of conduct, has advised that a “decision-making body cannot make an unbiased decision, or a decision which objectively looks impartial, if a councillor serving on it is closely connected with one of the parties involved.” None of the Councillors declared an interest, but all are connected to the Council, the sole objector and the main beneficiary of the committee’s decision.

A fresh application is now expected drawing the Registrar's attention to an important clause (Section 15(7)(b) the Committee had failed to take into account (it was not even mentioned in the legal advice they received). The clause provides that the fact that the access gate was locked overnight after a security lock was fitted in 2000 must be disregarded in determining if the use was 'as of right'.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Planning Applications - November 2007

Week Ending: 2.11.07

166A Westcombe Hill 07/2698 /F
Conversion of upper floors into 1 x 3-bed self-contained flat and 1 x 1-bed self-contained flat

25 Charlton Road 07/2680 /TC
Re-pollard lime tree in front garden

5 Vanbrugh Fields 07/2685 /TC
Re-pollard at 15m poplar tree in rear garden

Westcombe Woodlands bounded by Ulundi Road, Maze Hill, Restell Close 7/2636/TC
Various tree works- cutting back overhang, removal of dead trees and felling of leaning and dangerous trees. Maintenance works

Week ending 9.11.07

29 Ulundi Road 07/2728 /F
Basement extension and creation of lightwell with access steps to front

24 Mycenae Road 07/2711 /F
Construction of a dormer window to the rear roof slope, installation of 2 no. rooflights to side and 1 no. additional rooflight to front

Week ending 16.11.07

27 Vanbrugh Hill 07/2802 /TC
Fell leyland cypress to the side of property and replace with standard sized ornamental

77 Mycenae Road 07/2769 /F
Installation of 7 no rooflights to rear and both side roof slopes

20 Humber Road 07/2774 /F
Installation of box sash window in front elevation at basement level and formation of light well

12 Charlton Road 07/2779 /F
Erection of brick pillar, railings and the widening of existing vehicular access

95 Maze Hill 07/2757 /F
Amendment to approved planning permission dated 1.8.07 Ref.07/1348/F for the erection of a two storey side and single storey rear extension

19 Combe Mews, Vanbrugh Park 07/2759 /F
Replacement windows and door with UPVc

Week ending 23.11.07

9-20 Wycherley Close 07/2852 /TP
1 Lime tree - Crown reduce by 30% and lift to 4m, T4
Sycamore - Lift lower branches to 4m, T6
Sycamore and T7 Lime - Crown reduce by 30%.
Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661
Westcombe Woodland rear of Ulundi Road, 07/2853 /TC
cut back overhang growing towards properties in Ulundi Road
Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

62 Foyle Road, 07/2856 /TC
Fell lilac tree in front garden (in order to repair damaged wall )
and replace with suitable specimen
Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

47 Westcombe Park Road 07/2857 /F
Installation of iron railings to top of second floor front bay.
Neil Luxton Telephone: 020 8921 5566

66B Vanbrugh Park 07/2863 /F
Installation of 2No. rooflights to rear roof slope.
Louise Allwood Telephone: 020 8921 5302

55 Mycenae Road, 07/2847 /TC
Reduce eucalyptus and malus in rear garden by max 30%
Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Woodlands, Norfolk, Jenner & Lister Houses Restell Close 07/2834 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to Condition 12 (ramped access) of planning permission dated 20.1.2006 Ref: 03/2022/F.
Neil Luxton Telephone: 020 8921 5566

1 Wollaton Villas 7 Hardy Road 07/2822 /F
Installation of 500mm trellis to existing 1800mm rear fence.
Louise Allwood Telephone: 020 8921 5302

2 Wollaton Villas 7 Hardy Road 07/2824 /F
Installation of railing and gates to frontage.
Louise Allwood Telephone: 020 8921 5302

1 Wollaton Villas 7 Hardy Road 07/2826 /F
Installation of railings and gate to frontage. Louise Allwood Telephone: 020 8921 5302

2 Hardy Road 07/2818 /F
Construction of a three storey, 4- bedroomed house
John Kaimakamis Telephone: 020 8921 5438

Week ending 30.11.07

38 Westcombe Park Road 07/2907 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to condition 1 (materials for garage
door) of planning permission dated 3.4.07 (Ref:07/0361/F) for
erection of a single storey rear extension, garage to side
elevation and velux windows to rear roof slope.
Paul Conboy Telephone: 020 8921 5894

21 Hardy Road 07/2871 /SD
Construction of a 2-storey side extension.
Neil Luxton

Monday, October 15, 2007

Planning Applications - October 2007

Week Ending: 5.10.07

1 St Andrews Mews 07/2399 /TC
Cedar tree outside No.1 - crown reduce by 30% and cut back from roof to clear 2m. Conifer in rear garden - fell and replace

75 Beaconsfield Road 07/2384 /F
Demolition of existing garage and erection of a 2-storey side extension, single storey rear infill extension and dormers to front and rear roof slopes

Flats A & B 66 Humber Road 07/2385 /F
Replacement of all windows to front elevation with timber double glazed sliding sash windows and replacement of rear windows at first floor level with timber double glazed casement windows

91 Maze Hill 07/2387 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension


Week Ending:12.10.07

134C Coleraine Road 07/2518 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension and rear infill extension. Resubmission.

71 Foyle Road 07/2497 /F
Conversion of two flats into a single family dwelling and erection of a single storey rear infill extension

69 Humber Road 07/2435 /F
Installation of 1 No. rooflight to front elevation

Week Ending:19.10.07

1a Vanbrugh Hill 07/2598 /TP
Fell horse chestnut close to house (structural damage). Cedar - crown lift to 5m. Lime tree - remove diseased

55-57 Invicta Road 07/2571 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to Condition 9 (site investigation) of Appeal Decision dated 1.11.2006, planning Ref: 05/1945/F

Norfolk, Lister & Jenner Houses Restell Close 07/2572 /SD 07/2576 /SD 07/2577 /SD 07/2581 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to Condition 1 (facing material) of planning permission dated 3.9.2007 (Ref: 07/1464/F) for an 11 storey building with 281 units and underground parking

49 Ruthin Road 07/2546 /F
Formation of a loft conversion with two rear dormers and two roof lights to rear roof slope and three roof lights to front roof slope. (Resubmission)

36 Westcombe Park Road 07/2532 /F
Retrospective application for retention of a single storey rear extension, insertion of 3No. roof lights and re-slating of roof

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Groping For Words

The next production of the Alexandra Players will be later this month (October 2007). It is the comedy Groping For Words by Sue Townsend – best known as the creator of diarist Adrian Mole. Groping For Words will be presented at the Alexandra Hall, Bramshot Avenue, Charlton SE7 on October 25th, 26th and 27th at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7.30 p.m.).

Tickets for Thursday 25th October and Saturday 27th October are £5 each and tickets for Friday 26th October are £6 each. The Box Office number is 020 8858 2769.

Monday, October 01, 2007

Planning Applications: September 2007

Week ending: 7.9.07

141 Humber Road 07/2143 /F
Formation of lightwell to front elevation to convert basement into habitable rooms

2 Vanbrugh Hill 07/2145 /F
Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of a new single storey rear extension and raised rear terrace

11 Ulundi Road 07/2113 /TC
Fell ash tree adjacent to garage

Week ending: 14.9.07

11 Ulundi Road 07/2215 /F
Construction of a single storey extension and alteration to existing external staircase, conversion of part ground floor to create granny annex and erection of new workshop to rear.

128A Westcombe Hill 07/2190 /F
Retention of replacement windows to rear of property


23B Coleraine Road 07/2198 /F
Conversion of loft into 1-bed self-contained flat consisting of dormers to front and rear


Week ending: 21.9.07

116A Westcombe Hill 07/2293 /F
Roof extension to first floor flat comprising of 1 No. dormer to rear elevation and 2 No. rooflights to front elevation

116A Westcombe Hill 07/2296 /F
Roof extension to first floor flat comprising of 2 No. dormers to rear and side elevations and 1 No. rooflight to front elevation

12 Coleraine Road 07/2286 /TP
T1- Sycamore- Thin lower section of crown by 20%, Remove dead and diseased wood. T2-Acasia- reduce and re-shape crown by 20% and lift to 2m

Week ending: 28.9.07

24 Vanbrugh Park 07/2363 /TC
Yew tree - 20% crown reduction

91 Beaconsfield Road 07/2364 /TC
London Plane tree and holly - crown reduce by 30%

36 Mycenae Road 07/2365 /TC
Fell sycamore tree right hand side rear garden and replace with 3 deciduous trees

First Floor Flat 125 Westcombe Hill 07/2355 /F
Replacement of front windows at first floor level with timber glazed sliding sash windows and replacement of rear windows at first floor level with timber double glazed top hung over top hung windows

18 Vanbrugh Park 07/2343 /TC
Limes in front garden eastern boundary - fell causing damage to wall

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Routes from Bellfield Close to Old Dover Road

This blog has been started for anyone to express an opinion on the closure of the footpaths and the cycle route between Charlton Road (Bellfield Close) and the Old Dover Road by Hexagon Housing. All opinions on this issue are appreciated by the Westcombe Society.

Planning applications - August 2007

Week ending 3.08.07
19 Westcombe Park Road 07/1811 /L
Relocation of exterior door to facilitate new internal layout

Week ending 17.08.07
23C Charlton Road 07/1938 /F
Loft Conversion and installation of velux window to rear

Week ending 10.08.07
63 Foyle Road 07/1916 /F
Demolition and reconstruction of existing conservatory

94 Westcombe Park Road 07/1856 /F
Erection of dormer windows to front, side and rear roof slopes

1st Floor Flat 125 Westcombe Hill 07/1862 /F
Replacement of front windows at first floor level with UPVC double glazed sliding sash windows and replacement of rear windows at first floor level with UPVC double glazed top hung over top hung windows

Ground Floor Flat A, 102 Humber Road 07/1863 /F
Replacement of front windows at ground floor level with UPVC double glazed sliding sash windows and replacement of rear windows and doors at ground floor level with UPVC double glazed casements

Flats A & B, 66 Humber Road 07/1865 /F
Replacement of all windows to front elevation with timber double glazed sliding sash windows and replacement of windows to rear of property with UPVC double glazed casement and top hung over top hung windows.

Week ending 24.8.07
35 Foyle Road 07/2019 /F
Erection of a single storey rear infill extension

Week ending 31.8.07
44 Vanbrugh Hill 07/2102 /TC
Reduce walnut tree in front garden by 50% causing cracking to adjoining building

Friday, July 20, 2007

Planning Applications - July 2007

Week ending 13.07.07

75 Humber Road 07/1668 /TC
Twin stemmed sycamore - remove epicormic growth, reduce and thin crown by 30% cut back limbs growing towards building to clear 2m lift lower limbs over footpath to 4m and cut back limbs over 77

13 Combe Mews 07/1607 /F
Replacement of windows and door with UPVC

56 Beaconsfield Road 07/1530 /F
Demolition of existing garage and construction of a two-storey side extension and single storey rear extensions along north and south flank elevation

Week ending 27.07.07

61 Mycenae Road 07/1790 /TC
Reduce eucalyptus tree in rear garden by 50%

Norfolk, Lister & Jenner Houses, Restell Close 07/1765 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to Condition 12 (ramped access) of planning permission dated 20.1.2006 Ref: 03/2022/F

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Planning Applications. June 2007

Week ending 1.6.07

49 Ruthin Road 07/1210 /F
Formation of a loft conversion with 2 dormers and 2 roof lights to rear roof slope and 3 roof lights to front roof slope


Week ending 8.6.07

25 Vanbrugh Park 07/1272 /TC
Fell holly in rear gardenWeek ending 15.6.07

Week ending 15.6.07

19 Charlton Road 07/1355 /TC
Crown reduce height and side laterals of two sycamores in rear garden by 50%

116-118 Coleraine Road 07/1356 /TC
Conifers on boundary between two properties - reduce crown by 2m

93 Maze Hill 07/1348 /F
Erection of a two storey side and single storey rear extension

45 Mycenae Road 07/1350 /F
Formation of a loft conversion with two rear dormers and two roof lights to front elevation

Woodlands, Norfolk, Lister and Jenner Houses, Restell Close 07/1324 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to condition 10 (Site boundary fence) of planning permission dated 20.1.06 (Ref:03/2022/F)

15a Charlton Road 07/1315 /F
Erection of a single storey garden building

Woodlands, Norfolk, Lister and Jenner Houses, Restell Close 07/1322 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to condition 4 (refuse) of planning permission dated 20.1.06 (Ref:03/2022/F)

Week ending 22.6.07

Land adjacent to Marks & Spencer 17 Stratheden Parade 07/1426 /F
Installation of a CCTV pole

21 Hardy Road 07/1397 /F
Replacement of existing brick wall with new brick wall and infill iron railings and gates

Barclays Bank, 43a Vanbrugh Park 07/1406 /A
Installation of new replacement external fascia internally illuminated and projecting sign internally illuminated

38 Westcombe Park Road 07/1392 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to condition 1 (materials for door to rear and garage door) of planning permission dated 3.4.07 (Ref 07/0361/F) for erection of a single storey extension garage to side elevation and velux windows to rear roof slope


Week ending 29.6.07

Norfolk House, Restell Close 07/1464 /F
Amendments during construction to floor plans, elevations and car parking layout of previously permitted planning application dated 20.1.06 (Ref. 03/2022/F) for the refurbishment and extension of Norfolk House as an 11 storey building providing 2 x 3 bed wheelchair flats, 40 x 2 bed flats and 17 x 1 bed flats

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Planning Applications - May 2007

Note. Details of most planning applications can be found in the East Greenwich or Old Dover Road libraries or at the Strategic Planning, Peggy Middleton House, 50 Woolwich New Road, Woolwich SE18 6HQ. If you wish to comment or object to any planning applications you may do so and you have approximately 21 days from the date of publication on the Greenwich Council website. As it takes some time for the printing of the Westcombe News it can on occasions be too late for any submission, so it is now intended to publish these applications also on the Westcombe Society Blog on a more frequent basis, hopefully weekly, but this will depend partly on the Greenwich Council website itself.


Week ending – 18.05.07

Land rear of 209-229 Westcombe Hill 07/1109 /F
Erection of a single storey outbuilding as a modular classroom. (Re-submission).

26 Beaconsfield Road 07/1110 /CP
Erection of a single storey rear extension

Week ending 5th May 2007

Blackheath High School, 27 Vanbrugh Park 07/0945 /V
Variation to Condition 8 (Assembly Hall hours of use) of planning permission dated 30/6/04 (Ref:03/1771/F).

Week ending 11.5.07

24 Foyle Road 07/1045 /F
Erection of a single storey side and rear extension

77 Coleraine Road 07/1035 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Planning Applications - April 2007

Note. Details of most planning applications can be found in the East Greenwich or Old Dover Road libraries or at the Strategic Planning, Peggy Middleton House, 50 Woolwich New Road, Woolwich SE18 6HQ. If you wish to comment or object to any planning applications you may do so and you have approximately 21 days from the date of publication on the Greenwich Council website. That date is shown in the heading below. As it takes some time for the printing of the Westcombe News it can on occasions be too late for any submission, so it is now intended to publish these applications also here on the Westcombe Society Blog on a more frequent basis, hopefully weekly, but this will depend partly on the Greenwich Council website itself.

Week Ending 20/4/07

7 Hardy Road 07/0855 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to Condition 4 (Details of all boundary treatments) of planning permission dated 28/9/05 (Ref:05/2031/F) for the erection of two houses.

Week Ending 6.4.07

1 Highmore Road 07/0766 /C
Demolition of existing house (Resubmission)

The Cedars Flat, 2 3 Westcombe Park Road 07/0755 /F
Combine flats 1 & 2 at ground, 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor levels into 1 self-contained flat. New windows to rear and side elevation, alteration to roof of games room and 3 rooflights to the ide of proposed games room

1 Highmore Road 07/0764 /F
Erection of a new single family dwelling with associated tree works (Resubmission)

22 Foyle Road 07/0745 /F
Erection of a summer house in rear garden

Week Ending 27.4.07

39 Vanbrugh Park 07/0932 /TC
Ash tree in rear garden and birch tree in front garden crown reduce by 25%

58 Coleraine Road 07/0909 /F
Installation of 2 velux windows to rear of property

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Woolwich to get Crossrail after all....!

March 22nd - Written Ministerial Statement...

Douglas Alexander (Secretary of State, Department for Transport) - Hansard source

The House will recall the extensive discussion in the Crossrail Instruction debate on 31 October about a station at Woolwich, adding £186 million to the cost of the scheme. This could simply not be afforded given the scale of the overall funding challenge. I said then, however, that I was willing to give Cross London Rail Links Ltd-the Crossrail Company-the time needed to explore with others, including the London Borough of Greenwich, whether there was a way of significantly reducing that cost.

I am pleased today to inform the House of important developments that point a way forward.

The key to this has been Greenwich Council's recent proposal for a major revision to its spatial plan, to allow a significantly higher density of development at Woolwich. This, in turn, has prompted Berkeley Homes to offer a means of enabling a station to be built at Woolwich but, crucially, without adding to the current cost of Crossrail.

In light of this, agreement has been reached in principle with Berkeley Homes under which they will build the basic box structure of a station at Woolwich and then construct their own development overhead. This will all be done at their own risk, using their own money, to the specification laid down by CLRL, with a payment back to Berkeley Homes of the saving CLRL will make through avoiding other works at Woolwich, when it constructs the line there.

In due course, Berkeley Homes would then arrange for the completion of the station box to full operational status. Both they and Greenwich Council recognise that the completion of the station would be conditional on receiving sufficient funding contributions from those developers and businesses that stand to benefit from a Crossrail station at Woolwich. The contributions would be in addition to any London-wide Crossrail funding arrangements that may be agreed and no additional public sector debt capacity would be made available. Fit-out of the station could take place only once sufficient private sector contributions had been received.

More work needs to be done to flesh out this deal but the House can now have sufficient confidence that Berkeley and Greenwich Council have the commitment and the right incentives to do that. This is a very significant change from the position last October as there is now a clear way forward that can deliver a station at Woolwich without adding to the costs of Crossrail already identified.

On this basis I am now able to bring forward an amendment to the Bill to provide powers for the station. In due course, the House will be invited to agree a further instruction to the Committee in respect of Woolwich.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Greenwich Waterfront Transit plans on show

Greenwich Council are giving residents the opportunity to visit a consultation exhibition and find out about plans on a major new transport scheme and how they will be linked into a range of local improvements to nearby roads and public spaces.

The Greenwich Waterfront Transit (GWT) will be a brand new fast, frequent and reliable service between Abbey Wood and North Greenwich Station, via Thamesmead and Woolwich and experts from Transport for London's GWT team will be on hand to update people on its progress.

The exhibition will be set up in Woolwich Town Centre on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 March, next to Natwest Bank in Powis Street, and there will also be an opportunity to speak with council staff about the range of regeneration schemes taking place in Woolwich and across the rest of the borough.

Deputy Leader of Greenwich Council and Cabinet member for Regeneration, Councillor Peter Brooks said, "A huge wave of change will sweep through Greenwich over the next decade and events like this give residents an opportunity to find out exactly what will be taking place. I would like to encourage residents to take the time to visit and give their views on the plans for their borough."

For more information on the regeneration process set to transform Greenwich, visit the Council website at www.greenwich.gov.uk

Thursday, March 15, 2007

New Licensing Applications 5th March

National Maritime Museum, Park Row, London SE10 9NF: Regulated Entertainment Supply of Alcohol and Late Night Refreshments
The applicant wishes to provide the following licensable activities: -
• Plays • Films
• Indoor Sport • Live Music
• Recorded Music • Performance of Dance
• Provision of Dancing Facilities
• Entertainment of A Similar Nature to Music and Dancing
• Late Night Refreshment • Supply of Alcohol On and Off
the Premises
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 1000hrs till2330hrs, Wednesday to Saturday
1000hrs till 0030hrs and Sunday 1000hrs till 2230hrs.
Deadline for objections: 5 th April 2007
The application is for films to be shown indoors only. But live and recorded music are to be outdoors as well, including the grounds of Queens House, Flamsteed House and the Planetarium Courtyard

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Planning Applications - March 2007

Note. Details of most planning applications can be found in the East Greenwich or Old Dover Road libraries or at the Strategic Planning, Peggy Middleton House, 50 Woolwich New Road, Woolwich SE18 6HQ. If you wish to comment or object to any planning applications you may do so and you have approximately 21 days from the date of publication on the Greenwich Council website. That date is shown in the heading below. As it takes some time for the printing of the Westcombe News it can on occasions be too late for any submission, so it is now intended to publish these applications also here on the Westcombe Society Blog on a more frequent basis, hopefully weekly, but this will depend partly on the Greenwich Council website itself.

Week Ending 2/3/07

Marks & Spencer, 17 Stratheden Parade 07/0441 /V. Replacement of trolley bay within car park and variation of Condition 2 of outline planning permission dated 17.7.1980 (Ref.181/80R)relating to the provision of parking spaces

Week Ending 9/3/07

9-20 Wycherley Road 07/0517 /TP
Large London Plane Tree - Crown reduce by 30%, remove deadwood, lift and replace paving after works to surface roots.


Week ending 16/3/07

25a Charlton Road 07/0567 /TC
Fell conifer in rear garden and replace with suitable deciduous tree

21 Vanbrugh Fields 07/0589 /TC
Beech tree in front garden - crown lift to 5m, reduce by 25% and thin by 20% (to reshape tree in fastigiate habit)

Marks & Spencer, 17 Stratheden Parade 07/0558 /F
Replacement canopy at the rear of the building

Marks & Spencer, 17 Stratheden Parade 07/0562 /F
Replacement of plant equipment on roof

42 Vanbrugh Hill 07/0566 /F
Erection of a dormer window and roof light to rear elevation, roof light to front roof slope, erection of a summer house to rear garden, hand rails to front entrance door, decking and railings to rear elevation (Re-submission).

60 Foyle Road 07/0528 /TC
Fell juniper in front garden and replace with smaller specimen large fuschia shrub

Week ending 23/3/07

111 Humber Road 07/0599 /F
Change of use of basement and ground floor from commercial to a self-contained flat.

Week Ending 30/3/07

Flats 1-12 Bletchley House 109 Mycenae Road 07/0680 /F
Removal of communal entrance door and installation of door entry system

40 Westcombe Park Road 07/0694 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension. (RESUBMISSION)

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Planning Applications - February 2007

8 Ulundi Road 07/0142 /CP
Erection of a single storey rear extension

81 Humber Road 07/0127 /CP
Insertion of a window to the rear elevation

55/57 Invicta Road 07/0111 /SD
Submission of details pursuant to condition 2 (facing materials) of appeal decision dated 1/11/06 (Planning Ref:05/1945/F)

68 Beaconsfield Road 07/0093 /F
Erection of a single storey summerhouse in the rear garden

Flat1 Ferndale Court Westcombe Park Road 07/0210 /F
Replacement of all windows with UPVC windows, remove living room windows and replace with French doors

Marks & Spencer, 17 Stratheden Parade 07/0212 /A
Erection of an internally illuminated sign to existing flag pole

2 Ingleside Grove 07/0187 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension and two dormers to rear roof slope

12 Old Dover Road 07/0148 /V
Removal of condition 1 from planning permission dated 23/8/06 (Ref:06/1609/F) for opening hours

1 Highmore Road 07/0149 /F 07/0151 /C
Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of a new family dwelling house and tree works

Flat 1 61 Westcombe Park Road 07/0217 /F 07/0228
Erection of a single storey rear conservatory

155 Humber Road 07/0305 /F
Erection of a single storey rear infill extension and rear conservatory

155 Humber Road 07/0308 /C
Removal of rear lean to, ground floor bay window, window and rear door and erection of single storey rear infill extension and conservatory

Marks & Spencer 17 Stratheden Parade 07/0370 /F
Erection of fencing on top of existing wall and erection of a CCTV camera pole

38 Westcombe Park Road 07/0361 /F
Erection of a single storey extension, garage to side elevation and velux windows to rear roof slope. (Resubmission).

Former Petrol Filling Station 6 Stratheden Road 07/0338 /F
Demolition of existing petrol filling station, removal of underground petrol storage tanks and erection of a 4-storey building comprising of 14 flats with associated parking. (Resubmission).

10 Hardy Road 07/0348 /F
Replacement of 9 common area screens

15 Ulundi Road 07/0352 /F
Erection of a single storey rear extension

Treeworks:
2 Beaconsfield Road 07/0150 /TC
Re-pollard 6 lime trees on Beaconsfield Road frontage. Crown thin by 30% plane tree SE side and remove ivy

2 Beaconsfield Road 07/0258 /TC
Fell pear tree in rear garden - implicated in structural damage to adjoining property

40 Beaconsfield Road 07/0394 /TC
Reduce two lime trees in the rear garden back to previous reduction points

21 Hardy Road 07/0396 /TP
Copper beech X 2 Minor prune away from building to clear 2m and balance. Larch - encroaching on larger tree -Fell, Holly - Prune back lower limbs, Elder - minor prune to shape to a max 20%, Cypress - dying from the top - Fell (there are a number of dead and windblown trees that are also to be felled but are exempt from regulations)

Friday, February 16, 2007

'Dome' (O2) Parking Threat Reduced

On 14th February, the Licensing Committee approved the applications by O2 with a few changes, notably the addition, in watered down form, of the condition negotiated between the Westcombe Society Environment Committee and ANSCHUTZ ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (AEG). This provided that
"Promotional literature web-pages and tickets from the Licensee will give prominence to information regarding public transport options and request patrons to leave the area quietly. References by the Licensee to access by road will be subordinate to references to travel by public transport. References shall also refer to the existence of controlled parking zones over the area within two miles of the Premises".

AEG refused to agree that the condition should apply to its agents, notable its sales agent Ticketmaster whose website, despite revision ahead of the meeting, emphasized how ‘easy’ was access by road. However following the Westcombe Society's criticism at the meeting, Ticketmaster has again revised its website.
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/venue/148822?affiliate=z035&m3_data=ej0xNTIzfHA9MTF8YT0yMTYz&?m3_data=ej0xNTIzfHA9MTF8YT0yMTYz
It now positively discourages using cars to get to the O2.

Outside the meeting, it was indicated that when the parking management plan is finalized the statement that when the car park is full, "the management will direct vehicles to the closest off-site parking facilities" will be amended to substitute “off-road” for “off-site”.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Dome Parking Threat

AEG, the owners of the Dome, have announced their intention to direct 'overspill' customers of events at the Dome who arrive by car to park in the Westcombe Park/East Greenwich area.

Sales publicity for these events describes access by road as “easy” and AEG expect more than half the visitors to the Entertainment District to come by car. There are only some 400 ‘first come first served’ car spaces. So visitors who turn up on-spec expecting to park may find the car park full. AEG’s stated plan, in such a situation, is for car park management to direct vehicles to the closest off site parking facilities. AEG have indicated that the closest area outside the Peninsula (where parking is banned) is Westcombe Park.

Unfortunately, the Council has already approved this ‘diversion to Westcombe Park’ Policy, even though the Guidance to Best Practice for Public Nuisance Control emphasizes that patrons arriving and leaving the premises, including provision of public transport and the use of Car Parks, should be covered in the operating schedules that are the main subject for the Licensing subcommittee to consider.

There will be a Licensing meeting at the Town Hall at 18.30 on Wednesday 14th February to consider the application. It is a public meeting, open to all

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Planning Applications January 2007

55/57 Invicta Road 06/2763 /SD
Submission of details of earlier application

Flat 2, The Cedars, 3 Westcombe Park Road 06/2802 /F
New side and rear windows and roof lights

38 Westcombe Park Road 06/2869 /F
Erection of a single-storey rear extension, garage to side elevation and Velux windows

3 Humber Road 06/2862 /F
Single-storey rear infill conservatory

The Royal Standard Public House, 44 Vanbrugh Park 06/3012 /F
Three telecommunication antennae located within the existing chimneys, and 6 equipment cabinets

23B Coleraine Road 06/2994 /F
Loft conversion: another storey and roof terrace

8 Stratheden Parade 06/3067 /F
Change of use from travel agents (A1) to estate agent (A2).

26 Beaconsfield Road 06/3052 /CP
Erection of a single-storey rear extension flats (sic)

75 Beaconsfield Road 06/3243 /F
Two-storey side extension, infill extension and loft conversion

Flats 1-7, Naldera Gardens, 87 Mycenae Road 06/3047 /F and Flats 8-22, Naldera Gardens, 89A Westcombe Park Road 06/3041 /F
Replacement of all casement windows with double glazed casement windows

Flat A & B, 5 Coleraine Road
Replacement of all timber windows with uPVC casement windows

90 Mycenae Road 06/3171 /L, 06/3179 /F
Various internal and external alterations

Woodlands, Norfolk, Jenner and Lister Houses, Restell Close 06/3094 /SD
Submission of details of earlier application

40 Westcombe Park Road 06/3084 /F
Erection of a single-storey rear conservatory

1B Vanbrugh Park Road 06/3174 /F
Erection of a single-storey rear extension

91 Maze Hill 06/3175 /F
Erection of a single-storey rear extension

M & S 17 Stratheden Parade 06/3177 /A
New illuminated signs

29 Charlton Road 06/3242 /F
Conversion of property into 4 self-contained flats with parking spaces and new access

7 Hardy Road 06/3248 /SD, 06/3252 /SD
Submission of details of earlier application

Westcombe News

If you're a new blogger, or one who has already signed up, the Westcombe News just wants to say that all controbutionsform the local community - letters, articles, news, information, ads, What's on items, photos (as jpegs please - or hard copy) are welcome.

It's your paper!

Ed

So no Casino....

Any views on that subject?

A local group seemed to have been set up very late in the day to object to the idea.. so late in fact that it was only referred to in the latest Greenwich Society Newsletter that appeared in my post only a few days before the decision was made.

But let's be more rationale about this.

All the 'ordinary' Mancunians I saw interviewed on BBC News about the fact they had won the bid were over the moon.. including 'little old ladies'. Have no Greenwich residents, especially the objectors, considered the huge loss of potential jobs that will now occur as a consequence of this bid having been lost? What does it mean for the overall viability of the remaining plans for the Dome? Finally, where is the money coming from to take forward a virtually complete and fully serviced 'mezzanine' floor at the Dome that will now have to look for 'Phase III' funding to remain anything other than empty?

P.S. In overall terms I think that I feel more for the people and businesses in Blackpool though. They are now going to be facing a bleak future.