Neighbourhood Planning for Kirkdale

[Pat Trembath]

I said I would not post again on STF for a long time. However there is a danger that the first report on last night's discussions by someone who attended the whole meeting may get lost.

It was an important meeting and the initial posting on STF by someone who stayed for only 10 minutes was totally incorrect. If discussion about this topic goes off piste I will definitely not be posting on this website again. I have cut and pasted my earlier posting, with a couple of small edits - you can check back to the original to see what what has been edited.

I am happy for anyone who attended all of last night's meeting to amend the "record" so far, and I hope Admin will see this as an important community exercise and that any spurious comments will be directed elsewhere. My comments about last night's event, posted earlier on this Forum on another thread were:

"For the record - this Neighbourhood Planning meeting was a SEE3 meeting, following up the SEE3 Horniman meeting a fortnight previously which Tim did not attend. Last night, apart from several members of Sydsoc and FH Soc there were others present, who were not members of either society, who had come along as they were interested in Neighbourhood Planning. The meeting began at 7.30 - Tim arrived at 7.40 after all the introductions had been done - and finished at 9pm - one hour and 10 minutes after he had left.

The subjects ranged from Kirkdale to Forest Hill Town Centre to Honor Oak Park to traffic and air quality.

The following email about the future plans for Kirkdale from the Head of Planning to Cllr Chris Best was quoted during the meeting.

It was requested to ascertain whether Lewisham planners would be prepared to discuss the future of Kirkdale (which has a number of potential development sites) with members of the local community, under the auspices of SEE3. Up till now ad hoc planning decisions have left the street scape on one side of Kirkdale in a pretty abysmal state, despite the fact that it is surrounded by Conservation Areas and has an EH Grade 2 building at its heart. Some planning decisions have been ignored, permission has not been sought for work which has been done, and lack of resources means lack of enforcement from Lewisham."

Yes, the Sydenham Society would like to see a masterplan (or a planning brief at the very least)for the Kirkdale area in view of development opportunities in the area, and judging by last night's meeting so would others."

The email from the Head of Planning to Chris Best is quoted below in full:

"We are certainly happy to have discussions on planning decisions and the actions of individual owners in respect of Kirkdale. We can also discuss the way forward on the Willow Way area. To do that discussion justice, we need to pull together some initial joint officer input on the planning and property fronts and, given that a number of people are away at present, I don't think this could realistically be achieved during the course of the next week.

Can I therefore suggest that, at this stage, we confirm that we will have those internal discussions when the relevant officers are available and have had the chance to prepare a background note on the current position."

[leenewham]

Do you mind if I wade in a little on this Pat? I wasn't able to attend last night.

I can't comment on building, but I can on the shop front and signage point of planning having been through it many times in recent memory. I generally find the Planning officers in Lewisham to be very helpful and pragmatic but they are understaffed.

Current rules are a little confusing and the vast majority of shops don't bother with applying for planning or advertising consent.

Years ago our high streets didn't need regulation. Signmakers were craftsmen with their own styles and skills. Every high street had their own signwriters and glass cutters. This helped give them their own identity. While there are some great sign makers around, this isn't the case in every instance.

If this is part of the problem for how our high streets look, such as the mis-matched frontages and ripped out shop fronts that Mary highlighted in her article in the Sydenham Society Newsletter, what are the solutions?

What I'd like to see in high streets is planning for shop fronts and signage made simpler, more inspirational and bespoke to the areas rather than just following national planning policy. It may even be worth splitting it from from the council to local Bid groups/civic groups/town teams. Perhaps even an elected panel to help.

Why not open the debate here?

[michael]

Can I add to what Pat said that an action group was formed specifically looking at Kirkdale (and another for Forest Hill town centre). It is composed of people with either professional or local knowledge of Kirkdale and a desire to improve the area by making best use of the space available.

If anybody else close to Kirkdale wishes to join the group they should contact Mary or Pat. I sensed a lot of energy in the room that I'm sure can make a positive impact to Kirkdale and it is a really good time to look at revitalising this area.

[hairybuddha]

I welcome this thread and would be interested if it can be used to publicise meetings. I would be interested in coming along for information.

I promise to keep the lycra to a minimum and do my best to stay more than 10 minutes. With that said, and in keeping with the spirit of this thread, perhaps Pat or the admin would consider removing the obvious dig at Tim in the OP and keeping everything nice and neutral?

[Pat Trembath]

Here I am again - not quite signed off...

Hairy Biker

I am happy for Admin to "remove the dig at Tim" - I can't, although I tried after it was posted - over you, Admin - pl remove.

Here is the "head in noose" bit for everyone who wants to be included with everything at an early stage.

The first meeting with the various skilled professionals who attended last night's meeting needs to be conducted by those who have and understand planning speak - I have learnt planning on the hoof over some 20 years or so I am always amazed at the speed planning regs move on. There were several such persons.

If you. or anyone else you know, are happy to share professional planning skills for this project, please step forward and you will be welcomed by the local arms of the "community" as we go into discussions.

There will be other community based opportunities to get involved - nothing will be settled overnight or, believe - this is a long process - without proper community consultation and updates will be reported through the SEE3 website, in Sydenham Society News, FH Soc News and at local sssemblies

[hairybuddha]

Why do people have such difficulty with my username?

Pat - Try the "edit" button. That should do the trick.

There will be other community based opportunities to get involved - nothing will be settled overnight or, believe - this is a long process - without proper community consultation and updates will be reported through the SEE3 website, in Sydenham Society News, FH Soc News and at local sssemblies

Thanks, let's hope so.