HI everyone,
Instead of posting on the 3rd page of the last one I have created a new one.
Has there been any resolution to the Bell Green dispute? We were looking at a couple of very nice properties in the area to buy but were put off because of the planned expansion. Thanks
Bell Green...again
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Pat Trembath
- Posts: 613
- Joined: 2 Oct 2004 10:54
On 5 October, news was received that the Secretary of State ( no less a man than the Rt Hon John Prescott MP) has decided to call in the Bell Green Out of Centre Retail Park applications for a local inquiry into relevant aspects of the proposed developments. He will be inquiring into whether the proposals conflict with national and regional policies on "important matters" and that having considered all the arguments he will issue his decision on the applications.
This means that everything is on hold until the Public Inquiry has been held, all matters of concern have been thoroughly examined and a decision has been received from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
The inquiry will probably take place in about 6 months time and the decision whether or not to approve will be handed down some 4-6 months later
This means that everything is on hold until the Public Inquiry has been held, all matters of concern have been thoroughly examined and a decision has been received from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
The inquiry will probably take place in about 6 months time and the decision whether or not to approve will be handed down some 4-6 months later
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benjamindeb
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 24 Oct 2005 16:12
- Location: london
Intelligent design?
I'm not sure whether developing Bell Green is such a bad idea. This is London after all, and all vacant space is under pressure for development. But I do agree that the form of of that development needs to be held to close scrutiny. It needs to be long-term in mind and intelligently considered.
As a nearby resident, I wrote to my councillor and Jim Dowd some time ago (no reply) to complain that the plan for "another" shopping shed in the area was disingeneous given that a host of others already exist nearby. To claim that Lewisham is "under-shopped" or whatever is blinkered and this response dangerously crude. It's as if all the green and white planning papers of recent years have done nothing to change 80's big-shopping-shed-o-vision.
I'd really like to see more focus on residential use. The area is well served by transport links and would doubtless be desirable to many people. SE London is widely regarded as the last spot of affordability - but this project will do little for its desirability. The extended East London Line should open us up to more incomers. We should be giving these incomers places to live, from where they can walk to already vibrant local shops and catch a tube into town, not knocking up anonymous, car-hungry sheds. This whole proposal is short-term in the extreme and smacks of planning experts and business chums pulling well-tended strings. And to add to everything, this is a brownfield site... something our Mr Prescott is so keen to see turned to residential use. Well... I'm just glad that it's been called in for review. I for one will be watching the result within interest.
As a nearby resident, I wrote to my councillor and Jim Dowd some time ago (no reply) to complain that the plan for "another" shopping shed in the area was disingeneous given that a host of others already exist nearby. To claim that Lewisham is "under-shopped" or whatever is blinkered and this response dangerously crude. It's as if all the green and white planning papers of recent years have done nothing to change 80's big-shopping-shed-o-vision.
I'd really like to see more focus on residential use. The area is well served by transport links and would doubtless be desirable to many people. SE London is widely regarded as the last spot of affordability - but this project will do little for its desirability. The extended East London Line should open us up to more incomers. We should be giving these incomers places to live, from where they can walk to already vibrant local shops and catch a tube into town, not knocking up anonymous, car-hungry sheds. This whole proposal is short-term in the extreme and smacks of planning experts and business chums pulling well-tended strings. And to add to everything, this is a brownfield site... something our Mr Prescott is so keen to see turned to residential use. Well... I'm just glad that it's been called in for review. I for one will be watching the result within interest.
As an aside to this, whatever happened to extending the bridge at Southend Lane?
I think that it's important that the traffic that runs through Sydenham does so smoothly. I live in Sydenham, and have done so all my life. I may only be 23 but i've seen the area go down.
I think that the area in front of the Savacentre should be used for shops - but not a huge supermarket or yet another restaurant, but a small mall like area where small businesses can start up.
The area to the left of the Savacentre could be used for much needed new homes as well as the area where the old post office is - this is rumoured to of been on the cards for years.
I think that it's important that the traffic that runs through Sydenham does so smoothly. I live in Sydenham, and have done so all my life. I may only be 23 but i've seen the area go down.
I think that the area in front of the Savacentre should be used for shops - but not a huge supermarket or yet another restaurant, but a small mall like area where small businesses can start up.
The area to the left of the Savacentre could be used for much needed new homes as well as the area where the old post office is - this is rumoured to of been on the cards for years.
There is a conflict of interest over this. Some leading members of thr community see that that bridge as a heaven sent 'choke' factor to restrict traffic flow along the old 'south circular relief' corridor of Southend Lane & Whitehorse Road. The council's traffic planners agree and you will have seen various road narrowing and other measures to downgrade this route.jempie wrote:As an aside to this, whatever happened to extending the bridge at Southend Lane?
I think that it's important that the traffic that runs through Sydenham does so smoothly. I live in Sydenham, and have done so all my life. I may only be 23 but i've seen the area go down.
But, as you are aware that bridge in at the cusp of two of South East London's industrial estates and the Bell Green redevelopment includes a major business centre.
How do we expect these businesses to transport in supplies and ship out goods?
The difficulties of reliable vehicular access caused me to close down a business there six years ago. That means goods that could have been shipped locally with minimal environmental impact are now serviced much less efficiently from out of town. Good luck to anybody who wants to try and reverse the process now!
Stuart
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Muddy Waters
- Posts: 137
- Joined: 2 Oct 2004 17:05
Jim Dowd chaired the All Party Group which recently reported on the damage to local high streets and small shops caused by the effects of large retailers. The report seemed to be recommending constraints on their activities. I would hope that he should have some sympathy with those trying to stop Bell Green being turned into a major retail park.
As I see it there would be detrimental effects on all the local high streets -if a huge Homebase and garden centre were to open and who knows what else would want to come on site (1800 car parking spaces) - Penge, Sydenham, Forest Hill, Catford, not to mention the small local parades of shops would all feel the pinch if this develpopment was to go ahead
As I see it there would be detrimental effects on all the local high streets -if a huge Homebase and garden centre were to open and who knows what else would want to come on site (1800 car parking spaces) - Penge, Sydenham, Forest Hill, Catford, not to mention the small local parades of shops would all feel the pinch if this develpopment was to go ahead