Friday, December 26, 2008

A2 Roadworks

Major rebuilding of the A2 between Blackheath Hill and Goffers Road is planned to start on Sunday 15th February 2009 lasting for about 3 months. These works have been threatened for the last 5 years, but have never materialised, so don't be surprised if they are postponed yet again! The existing plan for the initial three weeks is now not for a complete closure of the road, but for a one-way operation for westbound traffic with eastbound traffic diverted via Lewisham. The heavy lorry ban in Greenwich town centre is also being lifted so expect jams on all routes to the centre out of Westcombe Park and try out the Clipper boat service instead.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

December 2008 Planning Applications

Weekly List Date: 31/12/2008

Entrance to land adj to 64 Westcombe Hill, Blackheath, SE3 7DY Ref 08/2914/F  See http://bit.ly/AGnz
Installation of new 2.4 metre mesh gates with 300mm vanguards above and installation of 1 metre mesh panel above perimeter wall (Retrospective)    APPROVED
Case officer: Alex Smith  Tel: 020 8921 6005
Registration date: 19 December 2008

Site Notice Date: 7 January 2009

Deadline for objections: 28 January 2009


Marks & Spencer, 17 Stratheden Parade, Blackheath, SE3 7SX

Ref 08/2971/F  See http://bit.ly/o8e9   APPROVED  

Installation of 2 double bicycle lockers

Case officer: Kemi Erifevieme Tel: 020 8921 5566

Registration date: 21 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 14 January 2009

Deadline for objections: 4 February 2009

Weekly List Date: 24/12/2008

123 COLERAINE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7NT

Ref 08/2993/TC  APPROVED

Lime tree to the rear - crown reduce by 40-50%. Front garden Conifer - crown reduce by 40%

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 18 December 2008

Site Notice Date: No Public Consultation

Deadline for decision: 29 Jan 2009

Weekly List Date: 17/12/2008

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROMNEY ROAD, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9NF  Ref 08/2900/F, 08/2901/LSee http://bit.ly/1KTEIy
Installation of a new Grounds Staff Compound  APPROVED

Case officer: David Gittens Telephone: 020 8921 5437

Registration date: 18 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 17 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 7 January 2009

We considered that the proposed fencing was visually intrusive and that felling three trees and loss of shrubs was not acceptable. The Museum acted on our concerns and the plans were amended


COACH HOUSE, 120 WESTCOMBE PARK ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7RZ  Ref 08/2766/F   See  http://bit.ly/Et5C

First floor extension to side addition comprising pitched roof, gable end incorporating Juliet balcony and dormer window to front roof slope.

Case officer: Alex Smith  Tel: 020 8921 6005

Registration date: 11 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 17 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 7 January 2009


17 WESTCOMBE PARK ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7RE 

Ref 08/2828/F & 08/2829/L  See  http://bit.ly/yUHl      APPROVED

Installation of replacement iron steps to rear elevation

Case officer:  Louise Allwood tel:    020 8921 5302

Registration date: 12 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 17 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 7 January 2009


17 & 19 WESTCOMBE PARK ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7RE Ref 08/2908/F  & 08/2909/L

Erection of piers and iron railings and installation of pedestrian access iron gate and electronic vehicular access iron gates to front boundary  See http://bit.ly/t44M   REFUSED

Case officer:  Louise Allwood tel:  020 8921 5302

Registration date: 21 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 24 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 14 January 2009 

We (and others) objected to erecting piers, railings and two gates along half of the front boundary and resurfacing only half of the driveway as this would alter one half of the frontage and would destroy the integrity and cohesiveness of this group of listed buildings


25 GLENLUCE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7SD  Ref 08/2875/F  See http://bit.ly/1dzkbz 

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT

Erection of a single storey out building in rear garden

Case officer: Kemi Erifevieme Tel: 020 8921 5566

Registration date: 24 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 17 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 7 January 2009


15 BEACONSFIELD ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7LN Ref 08/2898/F  See http://bit.ly/FBqW

Revised dormer window and roof finishes to previously approved planning permission dated 28/6/07 (Ref:07/1188/F) for erection of a single storey side extension, side dormer to roof facing south elevation, enlargement of existing rear dormer extension and extension of rear terrace

Case officer: Alex Smith  Tel: 020 8921 6005

Registration date: 11 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 17 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 7 January 2009


Weekly List Date: 10/12/2008


91A COLERAINE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7PF  

Ref 08/2950/TC    See  http://bit.ly/cxem   APPROVED 

Fell eucalyptus in the rear garden (fungal fruiting bodies at the base)

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 11 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 9 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 30 December 2008


72 FOYLE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7RH Ref 08/2945/TC

Rear Garden - Silver Birch Fell and replace with mountain ash. Front Garden - Prunus - crown reduce by 30%  See    http://bit.ly/zRxi APPROVED 

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 10 December 2008

Site Notice Date: 10 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 31 December 2008


NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROMNEY ROAD, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9NF  Ref 08/2920/F, 08/2921/L

See http://bit.ly/iDzU

See also http://bit.ly/Osxq for more details APPROVED

Renovation and extension to the National Maritime Musuem to provide exhibition space, storage space, reading room, learning/research facility. Renovation of the South West Wing including demolition of the Regatta Cafe, elevational changes, new loading bay/service yard. A new entrance from Greenwich Park incorporating a new lobby, exhibition space and cafeteria.

Case officer: David Gittens Telephone: 020 8921 5437

Registration date: 14 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 10 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 31 December 2008, but comments can still be made at http://bit.ly/Osxq


Weekly List Date: 3/12/2008

 

145 MAZE HILL, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE3 7UB Ref 08/2616/F

Erection of a two storey front infill extension, new porch to the rear elevation (fronting Vanbrugh Fields) together with alterations to the front wall for access, alterations to the garage to provide living space and alterations to existing roof (front elevation) (resubmission)   APPROVED

See http://bit.ly/jLLj

Case officer: Kemi Erifevieme Tel: 020 8921 5566

Registration date: 14 November 2008

Site Notice Date: 3 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 24 December 2008   The Westcombe Society objected to the proposed extension at 145 Maze Hill we did not feel that the proposed design either complemented or improved the area which is a requirment in a Conservation area/World Heritage buffer zone.  The increased bulk and angular design of the roof would make the house far more visible in a very prominent position.  It would no longer blend with the surroundings as it does at present.



98 COLERAINE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7NZ

Ref 08/2845/TC  APPROVED

Fell fir tree in rear garden (too large) and replace with suitable variety. Front garden - fell diseased cherry 

See    http://bit.ly/xHtC

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 2 December 2008

Site Notice Date: 3 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 24 December 2008


FORMER GARAGE SITE, 6 STRATHEDEN ROAD, SE3 7TA

Ref 08/2669/F  REFUSED

Temporary change of use of land as hand car wash and valeting service for a period of two years

See http://bit.ly/HUN9

Case officer: Kemi Erifevieme Tel: 020 8921 5566

Registration date: 31 October 2008

Site Notice Date: 3 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 24 December 2008


22 HUMBER ROAD, BLACKHEATH, LONDON, SE3 7LT REF 08/2719/F  APPROVED

Formation of a loft conversion with two dormer windows to rear roof slope, two conservation rooflights to front roof slope and an additional rooflight in the roof of double storey return extension 

See http://bit.ly/WTA6

Case officer: Alex Smith  Tel: 020 8921 6005

Registration date: 31 October 2008

Site Notice Date: 3 December 2008

Deadline for objections: 24 December 2008




Friday, December 12, 2008

Siege of Westcombe Park - 2012



Proposals have been announced for the traffic arrangements for the Olympic games - See http://bit.ly/yY9S . If these proposals for an Olympic Route Network are adopted, Westcombe Park will be entirely surrounded by either Core or Alternative routes.

Core Routes are defined as
“the main roads between accommodation, the Olympic Park and other main venues which will be heavily used by Games traffic throughout the Games period“
Alternative routes are roads
“included as a contingency against disruption on one of the core or venue specific routes and only used if needed”.

The map (click on it to enlarge) shows that it is proposed that the A2 should be designated an Alternative route (grey on the map). All the other roads, such as Maze Hill and Park Vista that are shown red on the map are proposed to be Core Olympic Routes

The Games – The Challenge
The Games are huge in scale – the equivalent of 26 World Championships and 20 times the size of the Football World Cup. 15,000 athletes from over 200 countries take part. Hosting the Games has been described as the largest logistical challenge a country can undertake in peace time. On each of the 16 days of the Olympic Games up to 500,000 spectators and 55,000 athletes, officials, media and sponsors will need transport; and 160,000 and 16,500 respectively on each of the 12 days of the Paralympic Games.

The proposed solution – The Olympic Route Network
Following the lessons and experience of previous host cities, London will have an Olympic Route Network ORN during the Games to transport the Games Family between venues and accommodation.

Under the powers provided in the 2006 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act, the Secretary of State will designate a temporary ORN linking together competition venues and key non-competition venues.

Designation of the ORN grants the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) ability to see what road works are planned for the network, and to keep the ORN free of non-emergency road and street works during the Games. Once the ORN is legally designated, the ODA also gains the ability to consult on and implement Traffic Regulation Orders on the ORN to manage traffic.

Many of the traffic management measures will be behind the scenes – such as improvements to traffic signals or CCTV. This is unlikely to have a noticeable impact on road users, but will also leave a positive legacy for smoothing traffic flows in London.

Between some key locations on the busiest sections of the ORN, where there is sufficient space, the traffic management measures may include special lanes where use is reserved for accredited Games vehicles. We expect that London will have a smaller length of Games Lanes compared to recent summer Games host cities. The vast majority of roads included in the ORN will be available for use by traffic as normal.

This consultation document sets out the proposed roads that may form the Olympic Route Network (ORN): a network of roads to be used by athletes and Games officials during the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (the Games). The stated purpose of the ORN is to enable safe, secure and efficient transportation of athletes and Games officials between venues and accommodation whilst at the same time minimising the impact on residents, businesses and visitors to ensure London is kept moving.

The detailed lists show that no less than 46 roads in Greenwich will be designated - more than in any other borough. As noted above, Westcombe Park will be intirely isolated, as happened with the recent mini-marathon, if these roads are all closed at the same time.

Consultation on the ORN is currently taking place and local residents are encouraged to make their views known. Responses in writing to this should be clearly marked 'ORN Consultation' and sent to DfT Olympic Route Network Consultation, Research Services House, Elmsgrove Road, Harrow HA1 2QG or emailed to ornconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk before 19th March 2009

Rights of Way between Charlton & Old Dover Roads

In 2004, the Greenwich Area Planning and Environment Committee decided, in response to requests from residents of Schofield Walk and elsewhere in the vicinity, to reject the application by Hexagon Housing Association to close the Rights of Way for cyclists, pedestrians and mobility scooters between Charlton and Old Dover Roads. As no local residents favoured closure, the Westcombe Society, along with other local amenity groups, supported that decision. Subsequently, however, Hexagon took unilateral action to flout the decision by illegally building walls to block these long-established rights of way (which the Council described as ‘pivotal’).

After this was reported in Westcombe News, readers’ letters showed that opinion in the area was sharply divided over the closure. The Society therefore campaigned for the Council to carry out a full consultation before deciding what to do next. When that consultation took place, the Society informed the Council that it did not propose to take a position on the proposal to close the rights of way, but would await clarification of possible diversion routes.

The Council has now informed the Society that it had received a number of objections to the closure of the rights of way, and that there was no doubt that the existing routes provide quick and easy access to a range of local shops and that their segregation from nearby roads offered a quieter and safer journey. It seems no lawful alternative diversion routes have been found, and the Committee will therefore need to decide what to do next, at a public meeting next year.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Westcombe Parking

When the Greenwich Area Planning Committee discussed the results of the 2006 parking survey in Westcombe Park, they instructed officers to carry out a further consultation six months after the new arrangements came into force in July 2007, paying particular attention to the situation for residents of Mycenae Road and users of Mycenae House. Regrettably, this has not yet taken place. However it is understood this omission will be rectified in early 2009 (over a year late).

In the meantime, officers have been considering much later consultations with residents of Westcombe Hill in particular, following petitions from differing groups of residents. These will be discussed at a meeting of the Area Planning Committee at the Town Hall, Wellington Street, Woolwich on Wednesday 10th December starting at 18.30. Members of the public may attend and (by prior arrangement) speak at the meeting.