Friday, April 23, 2010

How was the Marathon Siege for you?
















For more than 2 decades, residents of Westcombe Park have welcomed the London Marathon. Most were happy to cheer the runners on, though for some it was a (minor) inconvenience, with the area entirely cut off from the rest of the world for an hour or so. But the Vehicle Crossing Point at the Gibb memorial was invariably reopened as soon as it was safe to do so, once the marathon Rear Command vehicle had passed, and always by 10.30 or so, allowing residents to reach the rest of London and vice versa.

But in 2008, all that changed. Without any warning, the crossing point remained blocked for hours after it was safe to cross the Marathon route. All the roads from Westcombe Park Road to the stations were also blocked. None of this was announced in advance. As a result, families missed their holiday flights and ‘once in a lifetime’ events like christenings. Disabled people waited in vain for care assistants to get them up and feed them. Chaos (and the siege) reigned.


Following extensive negotiations between the Westcombe Society and the Council, new arrangements were introduced for the half marathon last September to provide at least one entrance/exit point to the Area. - see http://bit.ly/cB7gCM


This arrangement worked well and residents assumed it would be repeated for the full marathon. But the powers that be had other ideas. No information on the crossing point was circulated by the Council or the organisers, as used to happen. No ‘yellow notices’ were posted anywhere between Westcombe Park and the Clarendon Hotel (and beyond). The first warning residents had was the appearance of a flashing sign at the Gibb Memorial announcing that the roads would be closed for 12 hours until 7.00 pm.


Coming so soon after the Council’s approval of the Olympic Equestrian events in Greenwich Park, starting with a test event next summer, some residents wonder if the Council’s secrecy over the covert arrangements is an experiment connected with the Olympics.


The Westcombe Society will be monitoring the situation and would welcome reports on your experience


Saturday, April 03, 2010

Blackheath/Westcombe Hustings

Come and meet your prospective Blackheath/Westcombe Ward

Councillors at a Hustings on Saturday 17th April, 7.30 pm at Mycenae House, Mycenae Road. Doors open at 7pm.

Put your questions and judge the answers.

Who will you trust to look after your local community?

Who will spend your taxes wisely?

Who will represent you best?

All are welcome to join us at this lively evening hosted by the Westcombe Society.

April 2010 Applications

11 ULUNDI ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7UQ ref 10/0656/F

Construction of a two storey 2-bed house REFUSED

Case officer: Jacob Jaarsma Tel: 020 8921 5438

Registration date: 10 March 2010

Site Notice Date: 7 April 2010

Deadline for objection: 28 April 2010


Outside 6 Ferndale Court, WESTCOMBE PARK ROAD, SE3 ref 10/0536/T3

Installation of a broadband communications cabinet APPROVED

Case officer: Alex Smith Tel: 020 8921 5892

Registration date: 9 March 2010

Site Notice Date: 7 April 2010

Deadline for objection: 28 April 2010


1 Highmore Road, Blackheath, London, SE3 7UA ref 10/0815/NM

APPROVED

Removal of proposed basement and alterations to floor layouts and window sizes and fenestrations as non-material amendment to planning permission dated 14/08/2008 (Ref:08/0101/F)

Case officer: Louise Thayre tel: 020 8921 5894

Registration date: 25 February 2010

Site Notice Date: No Public Consultation

Deadline for decision: 9 March 2010


16 BEACONSFIELD ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7LZ ref 10/0686/TC

Fell lime tree on rear boundary and replace with smaller tree

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 19 March 2010

Site Notice Date: 12 April 2010

Deadline for objection: 5 May 2010


105 COLERAINE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7NZ ref 10/0921/TC

Crown reduce three sycamore trees by 30% APPROVED

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 25 March 2010

Site Notice Date: No Public Consultation

Deadline for decision: 15 June 2010


FLAT 2, 87 BEACONSFIELD ROAD, SE3 7LQ ref 10/0924/TC

Cut back two branches of acacia tree APPROVED

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 13 April 2010

Site Notice Date: No Public Consultation

Deadline for decision: 1 June 2010


25 ULUNDI ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7UQ ref 10/0918/TC

Rear garden - crown reduce pear by 50%, horse chestnut by 30% and magnolia by 24%. Front garden - crown reduce magnolia by 30% APPROVED

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 29 March 2010

Site Notice Date: No Public Consultation

Deadline for decision: 13 May 2010


FLAT 3, 16 CHARLTON ROAD, LONDON, SE3 7HG ref 09/2415/F

Installation of replacement timber sliding sash and casement windows

Case officer: Kemi Erifevieme Tel: 020 8921 5566

Registration date: 29 March 2010

APPROVED

Site Notice Date: 28 April 2010

Deadline for objection: 19 May 2010


72 VANBRUGH PARK, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7JQ ref 10/0983/TC

Fell Quercus Ilex in rear garden close to wall infected with leaf miners and replace with suitable species

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 27 April 2010

Site Notice Date: 28 April 2010

Deadline for objection: 19 May 2010


16 BEACONSFIELD ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7LZ ref 10/0953/TC

crown reduce prunus tree in rear garden by 30%

APPROVED

Case officer: Debi Rogers Telephone: 020 8921 5661

Registration date: 16 April 2010

Site Notice Date: No Public Consultation

Deadline for decision: 28 May 2010


41 MYCENAE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7SF ref 10/0843/F

Installation of a rear dormer window and 2 roof lights to front roof slope

Case officer: Alex Smith Tel: 020 8921 5892

Registration date: 8 April 2010

Site Notice Date: 5 May 2010

Deadline for objection: 26 May 2010


5 MYCENAE ROAD, BLACKHEATH, SE3 7SF ref 10/0977/CP

Construction of a single storey rear extension

APPROVED

Case officer: Kemi Erifevieme Tel: 020 8921 5566

Registration date: 8 April 2010

Site Notice Date: No Public Consultation

Deadline for decision: 3 June 2010


Mycenae House, 90 Mycenae Road, SE3 ref 10/1091/SD

Submission of details pursuant to Condition 1 (Materials to be used) of planning permission dated 27/01/10 (Ref: 09/2689/F) APPROVED

Case officer: Kemi Erifevieme Tel: 020 8921 5566

Registration date: 23 April 2010

Site Notice Date: No Public Consultation

Deadline for decision: 18 June 2010