Bell Green Shops. soon to go.

[Trawlerman]

Merely stating a fact, Nasaroc. Not intentionally cynical.

They are run down. They have been run down. Nothing to be done now but knock them down.

A pity. But not a desperate pity. There are far more 'interesting' events to really get worked up about,

By the way ..they weren't so 'horrible' when they were actually being used...pre mega-Sainsbury's. And no...I don't want to demolish Sainsbury's...But...

[leenewham]

Lee - couldn't agree with your more - horrible buildings removed; hopefuly attractive buildings to replace them. The properties planned for the corner of the Bell Green plot are very much "live" by the way - and look like they will shortly go to the planning committee.

That's great news Nasaroc, I saw some plans a while ago for the landscaping on the site which looked genuinely inspiring. Hopefully whatever plans being submitted for the building will be as exciting, and more importantly, be built, lived in and liked.

[Trawlerman]

Yes. Looking forward to some inspiring stuff. Nice if buildings are liked as well as lived in. Would make a change. Inside and out.

Remember the sixties planned living? Awful. Vertical communities? Concrete jungles?

Its horrible when they're disliked because of their horribleness.
But I don't really think the little row in question quite falls into the same category. Not really.

Betjamin's 'Inexpensive Progress' ...Read it yet?
Give it a go.

[Muddy Waters]

Another good read - "Ghost Town Britain" - the New Economics Foundation report about the effect of retail parks on local town centres.

Lewisham has a lot to answer for since they approved planning permission for a retail park as close to the town centre as Bell Green. Lewisham is also paying the price of allowing early fore-closure of leases on the shops at Bell Green. As for the small independents who have gone out of business due to dear old Sainsbury's......

[Trawlerman]

Thinking along the same lines, Muddy. & Seems like Betjeman was looking in the right direction.

From...
John Betjeman - Inexpensive Progress



...
Let all things travel faster
Where motor car is master
Till only Speed remains....

...


Let no provincial High Street
Which might be your or my street
Look as it used to do,
But let the chain stores place here
Their miles of black glass facia
And traffic thunder through.

And if there is some scenery,
Some unpretentious greenery,
Surviving anywhere,
It does not need protecting
For soon we'll be erecting
A Power Station there.

When all our roads are lighted
By concrete monsters sited
Like gallows overhead,
Bathed in the yellow vomit
Each monster belches from it,
We'll know that we are dead.

-------------------------------------Interesting?

[nasaroc]

Can't really follow that!

But some more information on the new set of flats. There are 23 units (only four of them are one bedroom). A single commercial unit is included and it will not be able to serve hot food. The newsagent currently on site is to be allowed first refusal of this unit.

[Trawlerman]

OK, Nasroc.
Poetry isn't everybody's cup of tea.
But I hope you get the gist.

Nice to see that the newspaper shop gets 'first refusal'.