For anyone interested in the future of FH pools, the meeting organised by the FH Society on Wednesday 7th May is an absolute must.
Addressed by two senior LBL officials, it will reveal how the council aim to address the issues of public consultation about the style and layout of the pools and whether the existing frontages of Louise House and the old pool are to be retained.
The meeting will be at Forest Hill School, Dacres Road, SE23. Doors open 7pm.
You don't have to be a member of the FH Society to attend.
FH Society meeting on pools
For those of us who went what is the reaction? What did you think?
1. The council can't wait to knock down the pools and Louise house and seem to have invested a lot of effort into achieve his.
2. Overwhelming public opinion at the meeting seems to be that the pools were liked, including the victorian streetscape.
3. The proposal by concerned local architects seen at the last Sydenham meeting was not considered. NO reason was given and it was the first time the people involved in this scheme (so far the only one which actually shows how the site may be used and what it might look like with costs) found out the councils decision.
4. The council say they are committed to good design for the replacement. They stated that Downham pools as a really good example of pool architecture. Steve Bullock called Downham Pools 'stunning' in a speech in 2007.
5. The council are putting up 7.5 million. All of this comes from the council. none of it from grants. A further 2 million will come from housing on the site to give 9.5 million in total. However the council don't know how much housing may go on the site stating that they are looking into 'a small amount, a medium amount of housing and high density amount of housing'. No figures were given for how much each of these schemes will raise in revenue, only that they are 'confident' of raising 2 million.
6. Downham pools cost 17 million. The extension to wavelengths pool cost 6.5 million. We were told at the meeting that we couldn't compare them with FH pools as they were like 'apples and pears'.
7. To start with the architects HLM (http://www.hlmarchitects.com/) have been appointed to conduct a feasibility study (initial sketches for what buildings may go on the site) before appointing the architects who will design the actual building via a europe-wide pitch.
8. a design competition BEFORE the pools are demolished was ruled out as the project was too small.
9. The pools will finally be drained this month. They are currently still full.
10. It seems as if the council are unwilling to deviate from the decision to knock down the pools. This will probably take place in July.
11. There will be a public consultation on the pools regarding the amount of housing etc from the feasibility study. This will not be the final design of the building and no-one gets a say on any scheme keeping the facarde of the buildings.
12. There will be a 25 metre pool and a learner pool. The pocket park (not in good condition and used as a dog toilet) may be used as part of the scheme, but the council don't know. If we loose the pack, then the area wil be 'hard landscaped' to compensate.
12. There is no provision for the style of building to replace this except the idea of using some materials (the keystone and the griffins from the roof in a new building. I have issue with this. While it sounds like a nice idea to reuse parts of the building, we may end with frankenstein:
There was talk of having the building 'blend in' with the buildings. If we must lose the current streetscape with Louise House and the pools then what we build in its place should contrast strongly with the library and look modern.
I do find it worrying that the proposals put forward at the last Sydenham meeting were not regarded. They keep the streetscape and allow for a modern state of the art pool facility. Perhaps after the meeting last night these will be looked at again or perhaps the public should be given a change to air their thoughts on it.
This is not a question of just saving old buildings and heritage but of improving our environment. Many schemes re-use old architecture and buildings, mixing them with more contemporary structures and convert their use resulting in something timeless and unique.
Lee Newham
Sydenham resident.
1. The council can't wait to knock down the pools and Louise house and seem to have invested a lot of effort into achieve his.
2. Overwhelming public opinion at the meeting seems to be that the pools were liked, including the victorian streetscape.
3. The proposal by concerned local architects seen at the last Sydenham meeting was not considered. NO reason was given and it was the first time the people involved in this scheme (so far the only one which actually shows how the site may be used and what it might look like with costs) found out the councils decision.
4. The council say they are committed to good design for the replacement. They stated that Downham pools as a really good example of pool architecture. Steve Bullock called Downham Pools 'stunning' in a speech in 2007.
5. The council are putting up 7.5 million. All of this comes from the council. none of it from grants. A further 2 million will come from housing on the site to give 9.5 million in total. However the council don't know how much housing may go on the site stating that they are looking into 'a small amount, a medium amount of housing and high density amount of housing'. No figures were given for how much each of these schemes will raise in revenue, only that they are 'confident' of raising 2 million.
6. Downham pools cost 17 million. The extension to wavelengths pool cost 6.5 million. We were told at the meeting that we couldn't compare them with FH pools as they were like 'apples and pears'.
7. To start with the architects HLM (http://www.hlmarchitects.com/) have been appointed to conduct a feasibility study (initial sketches for what buildings may go on the site) before appointing the architects who will design the actual building via a europe-wide pitch.
8. a design competition BEFORE the pools are demolished was ruled out as the project was too small.
9. The pools will finally be drained this month. They are currently still full.
10. It seems as if the council are unwilling to deviate from the decision to knock down the pools. This will probably take place in July.
11. There will be a public consultation on the pools regarding the amount of housing etc from the feasibility study. This will not be the final design of the building and no-one gets a say on any scheme keeping the facarde of the buildings.
12. There will be a 25 metre pool and a learner pool. The pocket park (not in good condition and used as a dog toilet) may be used as part of the scheme, but the council don't know. If we loose the pack, then the area wil be 'hard landscaped' to compensate.
12. There is no provision for the style of building to replace this except the idea of using some materials (the keystone and the griffins from the roof in a new building. I have issue with this. While it sounds like a nice idea to reuse parts of the building, we may end with frankenstein:
There was talk of having the building 'blend in' with the buildings. If we must lose the current streetscape with Louise House and the pools then what we build in its place should contrast strongly with the library and look modern.
I do find it worrying that the proposals put forward at the last Sydenham meeting were not regarded. They keep the streetscape and allow for a modern state of the art pool facility. Perhaps after the meeting last night these will be looked at again or perhaps the public should be given a change to air their thoughts on it.
This is not a question of just saving old buildings and heritage but of improving our environment. Many schemes re-use old architecture and buildings, mixing them with more contemporary structures and convert their use resulting in something timeless and unique.
Lee Newham
Sydenham resident.
I was not at the meeting.
Regarding the cost of other pools. The £17m at Downham seems high for just the pool. The project also included a library, sport & community facilities and a medical centre. I'm sure the council would have a breakdown of costs.
The cost of Wavelengths is interesting as the original budget for that was the same as Forest Hill, upto £5m. Either they've including the work relating to the library or the costs have soared in 18 months by 20%. That would be strange as the project has only slipped 2-3 months.
Regarding the cost of other pools. The £17m at Downham seems high for just the pool. The project also included a library, sport & community facilities and a medical centre. I'm sure the council would have a breakdown of costs.
The cost of Wavelengths is interesting as the original budget for that was the same as Forest Hill, upto £5m. Either they've including the work relating to the library or the costs have soared in 18 months by 20%. That would be strange as the project has only slipped 2-3 months.