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

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.

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?