RebuildTheGreyhound - pub to be rebuilt by April 2015?

[leenewham]

Westminster council has asked a developer to rebuild a pub a developer knocked down without permission 'as it was before, brick by brick.'

http://www.lbc.co.uk/council-order-pub- ... ion-108822

I wonder which one will be completed first.

[wrightie]

I was about to post the very same article...

[shibbycribby]

Would there be any case in suing the council on grounds of not forcing the greyhound rebuild therefore not properly serving the people that elected them?

[iandavenport]

Westminster council has asked a developer to rebuild a pub a developer knocked down without permission 'as it was before, brick by brick.'

http://www.lbc.co.uk/council-order-pub- ... ion-108822

I wonder which one will be completed first.

Lee - if you find anyone prepared to offer odds on it not being the Greyhound, please do let us all know

[Pat Trembath]

News just received from Lewisham Council:

A brief update on the current position.

The Council's Legal Services team yesterday wrote to Purelake advising that unless they can provide by return, a full explanation as to why this further delay is essential and was unexpected and unavoidable, together with a definite start date on site, the Council will have no option but to formally consider commencing enforcement action against them.

[Robin Orton]

' [...] the Council will have no option but to formally consider commencing enforcement action against them.'

My emphasis. Sounds pretty fierce (not). How long will the 'consideration' take, one wonders?

( I decided not to mention the split infinitive, you'll be relieved to hear.)

[biscuitman1978]

News just received from Lewisham Council:

A brief update on the current position.

The Council's Legal Services team yesterday wrote to Purelake advising that unless they can provide by return, a full explanation as to why this further delay is essential and was unexpected and unavoidable, together with a definite start date on site, the Council will have no option but to formally consider commencing enforcement action against them [emphasis added].

I am struggling to understand what there might be to consider.

According to the minutes of the last Mayor and Cabinet meeting at which the Greyhound was discussed (http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/ ... 9&MId=3502 – item 183), all enforcement action decisions are delegated to officers. In other words, there should be no need to seek the approval of the Mayor and/or Cabinet for any action.

By now, officers must be surely be aware of the enforcement options available to them, the costs attached to each of those options and the scope for recouping some or all of those costs from Purelake.

Moreover, the Head of Law at Lewisham Council is quoted as saying that ‘the legal foot will not come off the pedal’ (see http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11554 ... b_dispute/).

That being the case, there should be no delay in beginning enforcement action immediately if the response from Purelake is not satisfactory.

It is time for the Council to be clear with Purelake and to tell them that it WILL take action, not that it will consider it.

[Smiffy]

What's to consider?? Lewisham are utterly spineless. Purelake must be laughing like hyenas.

[Tim Lund]

What's to consider?? Lewisham are utterly spineless. Purelake must be laughing like hyenas.

Other laughter came on that film Admin posted when Kath Nicholson described the legal position as controversial. Why so, when from here it seems crystal clear?

[leenewham]

This is typical of Lewisham!

[Smiffy]

"We mean business. If the deadline is not met we'll seriously contemplate examining the prospect of thinking about having a meeting to discuss the possibility of considering legal action."

[owlwise]

Smiffy, you've hit the nail on the head!

[owlwise]

In the Evening Standard today:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/d ... 11892.html

So let's see how quick they rebuild the Carlton Tavern.

[leenewham]

These guys might be good to contact for the Greyhound!

http://www.utobeer.co.uk

Their pub is MUCH smaller than the Greyhound (many pubs are, the size isn't a valid argument!).

[iandavenport]

If Late Knights can make a go of the new venture on Kent House Road, maybe they would consider it - would be great to have a really local brewer with a pub in the centre of Sydenham. They dont seem too worried about small venues, and by the sounds of it their new place doesn't have much more going for it than the Greyhound - apart from Walls and a Roof of course.

[Kirkdalian]

Sadly, having had personal dealings with Lewisham planning enforcement, this doesn't surprise me at all. They are loathe to enforce anything, and will constantly change the timelines for enforcement or just sit around not acting at all. In my case, the problem only got resolved because the wrong-doers were stupid enough to breach their planning permission when it was only temporary, so in order to stay in their premises they had to comply. If it had come down to enforcement, I am convinced that our neighbours would still be putting us through hell now. Lewisham really need to get their act together. Who regulates the local authorities? Are they involved?

Edited because I can't spell!

[Steveofsyd]

Could we get it renamed the Snail or the Glacier as Greyhound seems to contravene some sort of Trade Descriptions Act .....we will be on our 3rd Parliament since this all started...

[Pat Trembath]

Here is a statement from Lewisham following Building Control's site meeting with Purelake:

Following a number of meetings and discussions with the London Borough of Lewisham we have agreed that Purelake will return to site to start rebuilding The Greyhound on Monday 11 May. A programme of work has now been agreed between the Council and Purelake that includes carrying out repair works to the building fabric including replacing the fractured lintels above the windows. A new roof will be constructed and windows installed to ensure the building becomes weatherproof. Once the new roof is in place the current timber second floor will be removed and a new floor installed so that it is above the top level of the windows.

Building Control will be monitoring the work to ensure the structure is rebuilt in accordance with current regulations. Purelake have said they will clear the external areas so that they are “neat and tidy” including removing the site hoarding once the building is repaired.

Building Control will keep the situation under close review to make sure this agreement is adhered to.

I think the words "cautiously optimistic" can be used. Have a good weekend!

[perryman]

That's funny.
I feel confidently pessimistic.

[Smiffy]

Ditto. There's still a week for Purelake to fabricate another excuse.