The Westcombe Society is arranging a visit to Meopham Vineyard near Gravesend, Kent on Sunday, September 25th, 2005.
Attendees will need to make their own way to the vineyard, where they will be able to take part in a tour of the vineyard and to taste the range of wines produced.
There will be a charge of £5. Anyone interested in attending should contact dpr@gold.ac.uk.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The World's Biggest Coffee Morning
Ths event, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief, is to be held at venues country-wide from 10.00am to 12.00 midday on Friday, September 30th, 2005. You are cordially invited to the Westcombe Society's own 'morning' in the bar area of Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, Blackheath, London SE3.
In addition to your donation for coffee and cakes/biscuits, it is hoped to have some other items available to persuade you to contribute yet more money to this worthy cause.
In addition to your donation for coffee and cakes/biscuits, it is hoped to have some other items available to persuade you to contribute yet more money to this worthy cause.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Bus route changes
Proposals for changes to the routes of the 108 and 422 and the creation of a new route, the 129, have been made by London Buses. The 129 will initially run a short shuttle service from Greenwich Town Centre to North Greenwich Station via Sainsbury's etc.. It would later be extended to Peckham. The proposals for the 108 and 422 indicate both now exit from Westcombe Hil through a new link on to the A102/Woolwich Road slip road. It is not clear where the exit point will be or how it will be managed. The routes will then proceed via the East Greenwich Gyratory to Peartree Way. The original informant on the proposal from L.B. indicated they would then use Bugsby's Way and turn right on to the bus-way at the rear of Filmworks and proceed to North Greenwich Station.
London Buses have now confirmed that this information was in error and that all routes will service Sainsburys, Comet, B&Q and Filmworks via the dedicated bus lane that runs in front, rather than reach North Greenwich Station via Bugsby's Way to the rear, as stated on L.B's original letter of notification.
Although these changes provide a much-needed connection from Greenwich Town, Lewisham, Blackheath and Charlton Village to the superstores and cinema, residents of Woolwich Road will have no service to North Greenwich and Blackwall Lane would now be served only by the 188.
London Buses have now confirmed that this information was in error and that all routes will service Sainsburys, Comet, B&Q and Filmworks via the dedicated bus lane that runs in front, rather than reach North Greenwich Station via Bugsby's Way to the rear, as stated on L.B's original letter of notification.
Although these changes provide a much-needed connection from Greenwich Town, Lewisham, Blackheath and Charlton Village to the superstores and cinema, residents of Woolwich Road will have no service to North Greenwich and Blackwall Lane would now be served only by the 188.
Brenton's Coaches site, Invicta Road
Two new blocks of flats are proposed for 55-57 Invicta Road (05/1945/F), the site of Brenton's Coach & Van Hire.
Three storey at one end and four storey at the other, with access from the roadway, they also feature parking for 13 cars between the blocks. There is little landscaping evident and the plans look very bare. An application in 2000 was given consent, but this was at a lower density and expired on 31/8/05. Although outside the Blackheath and Westcombe Park Conservation Areas the boundary runs along part of the south side of the site, so is very much on the fringe. Local residents are concerned and the Westcombe Society's Environment Commitee also consider an objection should be lodged on the grounds of a lack of green space, the fact that there are too many parking places for this kind of development and that the number of habitable rooms on the basis of the site area is higher than Council norms.
Three storey at one end and four storey at the other, with access from the roadway, they also feature parking for 13 cars between the blocks. There is little landscaping evident and the plans look very bare. An application in 2000 was given consent, but this was at a lower density and expired on 31/8/05. Although outside the Blackheath and Westcombe Park Conservation Areas the boundary runs along part of the south side of the site, so is very much on the fringe. Local residents are concerned and the Westcombe Society's Environment Commitee also consider an objection should be lodged on the grounds of a lack of green space, the fact that there are too many parking places for this kind of development and that the number of habitable rooms on the basis of the site area is higher than Council norms.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Westcombe Park Station office hours
Proposals by S.E. Trains for changes to local Station Office opening times were raised at a recent Greenwich Council meeting with South East Trains boss, Mike Gibson. Details of the outcome are posted below:
1. The total hours to be covered at Maze Hill and Westcombe Park stations by the booking office or the new platform staff at each station will be at least as many as the booking office is now open. The specific hours will probably be different as South East Trains are anxious to ensure that 'sensitive' times are covered - e.g. school finishing times and late evening.
2. Platform staff will be trained for a number of functions - assisting disabled passengers, ensuring that ticket machines are working, answering the public's queries, dealing with anti-social behaviour. Some will be trained as Police Support Officers with the power to detain. South East Trains are keen that platform staff are more flexible in the duties they undertake than present booking office staff.
3. South East Trains will check the ticket machine at Westcombe Park station following complaints from a number of passengers that it is frequently malfunctioning.
4. If the SRA agrees the proposal, the new arrangements are likely to come in on September/October. South East Trains are clearly intent upon the changes whatever representations they receive as they believe booking office personnel are under-used at many stations and staff will be better employed. They seem to have reached an accommodation with trade unions and recognise that not all present booking office staff will want to change their jobs or will be suitable for the new responsibilities. The company believes that sufficient internal staff can be found for these duties to ensure full staffing from the beginning.
5. It was accepted that booking office staff often fail to keep the offices open at appointed times and that there is therefore a question as to whether or not platform staff will be on duty when they are supposed to be. He believes that unannounced checks by 'flying' managers will be sufficient to deter staff tempted to desert their posts.
6. South East Trains plan to provide both platform and on-train staff with portable ticket machines to overcome the difficulties many passengers have with station machines. However, this is a medium-term plan and it was stated that they cannot put a timetable to its introduction although some idea of the time scale will be given in due course.
1. The total hours to be covered at Maze Hill and Westcombe Park stations by the booking office or the new platform staff at each station will be at least as many as the booking office is now open. The specific hours will probably be different as South East Trains are anxious to ensure that 'sensitive' times are covered - e.g. school finishing times and late evening.
2. Platform staff will be trained for a number of functions - assisting disabled passengers, ensuring that ticket machines are working, answering the public's queries, dealing with anti-social behaviour. Some will be trained as Police Support Officers with the power to detain. South East Trains are keen that platform staff are more flexible in the duties they undertake than present booking office staff.
3. South East Trains will check the ticket machine at Westcombe Park station following complaints from a number of passengers that it is frequently malfunctioning.
4. If the SRA agrees the proposal, the new arrangements are likely to come in on September/October. South East Trains are clearly intent upon the changes whatever representations they receive as they believe booking office personnel are under-used at many stations and staff will be better employed. They seem to have reached an accommodation with trade unions and recognise that not all present booking office staff will want to change their jobs or will be suitable for the new responsibilities. The company believes that sufficient internal staff can be found for these duties to ensure full staffing from the beginning.
5. It was accepted that booking office staff often fail to keep the offices open at appointed times and that there is therefore a question as to whether or not platform staff will be on duty when they are supposed to be. He believes that unannounced checks by 'flying' managers will be sufficient to deter staff tempted to desert their posts.
6. South East Trains plan to provide both platform and on-train staff with portable ticket machines to overcome the difficulties many passengers have with station machines. However, this is a medium-term plan and it was stated that they cannot put a timetable to its introduction although some idea of the time scale will be given in due course.
Old Greenwich District Hospital update
Here are some further details of the demolition scheme for the old Greenwich District Hospital site at the botton of Vanbrugh Hill, SE10.
In brief, the plans involve the erection of hoarding - August weeks 1-2, internal works and asbestos removal - weeks 3-13 (October), demolition of structure - weeks 14-25 (December) and site re-profiling - weeks 26-32 (March 2006). Hours of work are Monday -Friday, 8am-6pm and Saturday, 8am-1pm. The mosaic located on the Woolwich Road fascia is to be preserved with advice from its creator and will be restored to a site available for public view once the location of this is decided upon.
As to the future of the site itself, further meetings with local residents and stakeholders will take place and English Partnerships will appoint their own consultants to explore the options relating to existing Greenwich Council services and the transfer of a number of them to this site. There is no longer any obvious indication that housing will comprise a major component of the developed site, but a replacement for the Arches Leisure Centre, a new Library and a primary health care facility are currently proposed.
Updated September 10th 2005...
Local residents have expressed concern at the proposed number of lorry movements during the demolition phase. The contractors have promised a maximum of six per hour. A liaison group has been set up to look at issues if and when they arise. It is reported that Rick Mather Architects have been commissioned to look at the future of the site and would be engaging with local residents to produce a 'development framework'. It is not clear how this relates to the existing 'A New Heart for East Greenwich' proposals.
The Strategic Planning Directorate of Greenwich Council is currently undertaking an infrastructure review that will look at schools, healthcare provision and transport in relation to the fact that plans for the future of these services do not appear to be keeping pace with the rate of proposed developments such as this in the Thames Corridor. The review will report by next year.
In brief, the plans involve the erection of hoarding - August weeks 1-2, internal works and asbestos removal - weeks 3-13 (October), demolition of structure - weeks 14-25 (December) and site re-profiling - weeks 26-32 (March 2006). Hours of work are Monday -Friday, 8am-6pm and Saturday, 8am-1pm. The mosaic located on the Woolwich Road fascia is to be preserved with advice from its creator and will be restored to a site available for public view once the location of this is decided upon.
As to the future of the site itself, further meetings with local residents and stakeholders will take place and English Partnerships will appoint their own consultants to explore the options relating to existing Greenwich Council services and the transfer of a number of them to this site. There is no longer any obvious indication that housing will comprise a major component of the developed site, but a replacement for the Arches Leisure Centre, a new Library and a primary health care facility are currently proposed.
Updated September 10th 2005...
Local residents have expressed concern at the proposed number of lorry movements during the demolition phase. The contractors have promised a maximum of six per hour. A liaison group has been set up to look at issues if and when they arise. It is reported that Rick Mather Architects have been commissioned to look at the future of the site and would be engaging with local residents to produce a 'development framework'. It is not clear how this relates to the existing 'A New Heart for East Greenwich' proposals.
The Strategic Planning Directorate of Greenwich Council is currently undertaking an infrastructure review that will look at schools, healthcare provision and transport in relation to the fact that plans for the future of these services do not appear to be keeping pace with the rate of proposed developments such as this in the Thames Corridor. The review will report by next year.
East Greenwich 'Liveability Fund' Update
The East Greenwich Management Agency has sent the Society details of the latest proposals for works in East Greenwich. The timescale for this is 6 months, starting in July 2005.
Approximately £800,000 is to be spent on works in Woolwich Road, Glenister Green, East Greenwich Pleasaunce and Westcombe Park Station + environs. These will include improvements to footways, new tree planting and to the appearance of shops in Woolwich Road, improved pedestrian access and amenities at Glenister Green opposite the old Annandale School.
New lighting is planned for Westcombe Park Station Crescent (if S.E. Trains pay the energy bill!), together with improvements to paving at all road entrances, better disabled access and graffiti deterrents on the rail bridge over Westcombe Hill. There is also to be improved lighting to the Ormiston Road passage and deterrents to fly-tipping at its junction with Station Yard.
The Pleasaunce will receive better definition for the Royal Naval Hospital graves with an area for secular contemplation, improved play facilities with dog-free grass play area and although there is no current commitment, the hope that there is a possibility erecting a café in place of the existing toilets and park ‘bothy’ if a tenant can be secured willing to provide management of the area and check-cleaning of a limited-hours toilet facility.
Approximately £800,000 is to be spent on works in Woolwich Road, Glenister Green, East Greenwich Pleasaunce and Westcombe Park Station + environs. These will include improvements to footways, new tree planting and to the appearance of shops in Woolwich Road, improved pedestrian access and amenities at Glenister Green opposite the old Annandale School.
New lighting is planned for Westcombe Park Station Crescent (if S.E. Trains pay the energy bill!), together with improvements to paving at all road entrances, better disabled access and graffiti deterrents on the rail bridge over Westcombe Hill. There is also to be improved lighting to the Ormiston Road passage and deterrents to fly-tipping at its junction with Station Yard.
The Pleasaunce will receive better definition for the Royal Naval Hospital graves with an area for secular contemplation, improved play facilities with dog-free grass play area and although there is no current commitment, the hope that there is a possibility erecting a café in place of the existing toilets and park ‘bothy’ if a tenant can be secured willing to provide management of the area and check-cleaning of a limited-hours toilet facility.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Planning Applications in Westcombe Park - August 2005
103 Humber Road 05/1835 /CP
Amendments to planning permission dated 28.10.03
74 Hardy Road 05/1839 /F
Bricking up garden gates fronting Hardy Road
1 Foyle Road 05/1850 /F
Formation of a loft conversion
3 Beaconsfield Road 05/1921 /CP
Erection of a single storey rear conservatory
40 Westcombe Park Road 05/1929 /F
Erection of two storey side extension and loft conversion with dormer window
3 Foyle Road 05/1930 /F
Formation of a loft conversion with dormer window to rear. (Retrospective)
67 Humber Road 05/1936 /F
Erection of a two storey rear extension
3 Peachum Road 05/1964 /F
Erection of single storey summerhouse end of garden
23B Coleraine Road 05/1972 /F
Formation of a loft conversion with dormer window
77 Coleraine Road 05/2005 /TC
Eucalyptus tree in rear garden - crown reduce by 30-40%
7 Hardy Road 05/2031 /F 05/2038 /C
Variation of planning permission for the erection of two houses Ref:04/2813/F: The Variation is to alter the rear of the dwellings and inclusion of privacy screen
57 Coleraine Road 5/2009 /TC
Apple tree - remove new growth on trunk. Fig tree cut back overhang to boundary
62 Foyle Road 05/2065/TC
Fell 2 Leyland Cypress in rear garden
Amendments to planning permission dated 28.10.03
74 Hardy Road 05/1839 /F
Bricking up garden gates fronting Hardy Road
1 Foyle Road 05/1850 /F
Formation of a loft conversion
3 Beaconsfield Road 05/1921 /CP
Erection of a single storey rear conservatory
40 Westcombe Park Road 05/1929 /F
Erection of two storey side extension and loft conversion with dormer window
3 Foyle Road 05/1930 /F
Formation of a loft conversion with dormer window to rear. (Retrospective)
67 Humber Road 05/1936 /F
Erection of a two storey rear extension
3 Peachum Road 05/1964 /F
Erection of single storey summerhouse end of garden
23B Coleraine Road 05/1972 /F
Formation of a loft conversion with dormer window
77 Coleraine Road 05/2005 /TC
Eucalyptus tree in rear garden - crown reduce by 30-40%
7 Hardy Road 05/2031 /F 05/2038 /C
Variation of planning permission for the erection of two houses Ref:04/2813/F: The Variation is to alter the rear of the dwellings and inclusion of privacy screen
57 Coleraine Road 5/2009 /TC
Apple tree - remove new growth on trunk. Fig tree cut back overhang to boundary
62 Foyle Road 05/2065/TC
Fell 2 Leyland Cypress in rear garden
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Work on the A2 across the Heath
Traffic for London had planned to start work on the A2 across the Heath in August, but word is that it has now been postponed until nest year due to lack of funds. This work should have involved a complete rebuilding of the road itself, which apparently is necessary, as well as some landscaping to the sides of the road to ameliorate the visual effect of the traffic as recommended in a recent report on the Heath.
Blackheath Village Highway Works Update
LBL have recently announced that their very welcome work on creating a 20 mph zone in the Village is running ahead of schedule and should now be completed by 29th August. So we only have a very short time left to enjoy shopping in the Village with minimal traffic!
Friday, July 29, 2005
Woodlands and Mycenae House
Following on from a public consultation exercise, formal bids and a Council Cabinet decision earlier in July, it can now be announced that the winning bid to bring Woodlnads back in to use and to provide for the future of Mycenae House has come from the London School of Musical Theatre. Originally at the Old Vic and now primarily in custom premises in Southwark, this organisation will provide be an interesting addition to the area.
A slight downside is that to provide funding for this the Council are considering the erection of 12 x 2-bed flats in the S.W. corner of the site. The Society considers this to be over-development in terms of the public consultation outcome which accepted the idea of a 'small mews style development'.
Whatever materialises, it will still be the subject of a normal planning application.. so make your views known at that time.
A slight downside is that to provide funding for this the Council are considering the erection of 12 x 2-bed flats in the S.W. corner of the site. The Society considers this to be over-development in terms of the public consultation outcome which accepted the idea of a 'small mews style development'.
Whatever materialises, it will still be the subject of a normal planning application.. so make your views known at that time.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Welcome!
Welcome to the Westcombe Society's Blog!
We hope that members of our Main, Environment and Events Committees will provide information here for all readers, and we will try to answer any questions received.
The primary intention is to promote discussion on issues current within the Westcombe Park (Blackheath) area that may already have been covered in 'fixed' print media such as the Society's Westcombe News and on our 'standard' Web pages (http://westcombe.gold.ac.uk), as well as trying to answer questions from anyone considering moving to the area.
Get those posts to us....!
We hope that members of our Main, Environment and Events Committees will provide information here for all readers, and we will try to answer any questions received.
The primary intention is to promote discussion on issues current within the Westcombe Park (Blackheath) area that may already have been covered in 'fixed' print media such as the Society's Westcombe News and on our 'standard' Web pages (http://westcombe.gold.ac.uk), as well as trying to answer questions from anyone considering moving to the area.
Get those posts to us....!
Blackheath bye-law consultation
Lewisham and Greenwich are currently carrying out a consultation on a new set of byelaws for Blackheath.
A 'blog' has been created where people who are interested can leave comments as a sort of experiment in trying to have a wider input into the drafting of the byelaws. You might be interested....
You can find the site linked on our side-bar ----->
A 'blog' has been created where people who are interested can leave comments as a sort of experiment in trying to have a wider input into the drafting of the byelaws. You might be interested....
You can find the site linked on our side-bar ----->
Cannon Street Station Saturday opening!
At long last, Cannon Street Underground Station is open for business on Saturdays! A recent, well-guarded press release states;
"Cannon Street, which was previously closed all weekend, is now open on Saturdays from 0720 to 1940. The station will continue to remain closed on Sunday."
Temple Station is also now open on both Saturday and Sunday.
"Cannon Street, which was previously closed all weekend, is now open on Saturdays from 0720 to 1940. The station will continue to remain closed on Sunday."
Temple Station is also now open on both Saturday and Sunday.
Old Greenwich District Hospital futures
Local residents of East Greenwich have recently been circulated with a 'newsletter' entitled Regeneration News - East Greenwich, Issue 1, Summer 2004, jointly published by English Partnerships and Greenwich Council on the plans for demolishing the old Greenwich Disrict Hospital and the future use of the site.
There has also been a revised set of plans for the Lovell's Wharf site adjacent to Pelton Road, East Greenwich, where the original multi-storey towers have been reduced inheight to a much more modest 5-7 stories with very little lost by way of accomodation, yet an increase in the width of the Thames Path and other open space.
Unfortunately there is neither a Web version of the Newsletter or the Wharf plans, nor currently any reference to it on either English Partnership's or Greenwich Council's site.
However, the Greenwich Society's Web site does have inormation on both issues.
http://www.greenwichsociety.org.uk/
There has also been a revised set of plans for the Lovell's Wharf site adjacent to Pelton Road, East Greenwich, where the original multi-storey towers have been reduced inheight to a much more modest 5-7 stories with very little lost by way of accomodation, yet an increase in the width of the Thames Path and other open space.
Unfortunately there is neither a Web version of the Newsletter or the Wharf plans, nor currently any reference to it on either English Partnership's or Greenwich Council's site.
However, the Greenwich Society's Web site does have inormation on both issues.
http://www.greenwichsociety.org.uk/
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