RebuildTheGreyhound - pub to be rebuilt by April 2015?

[Rachael]

We have two pockets parks already that are barely used, except for pushy phone and tv sales people, and the once-monthly (except not in winter) market. I don't think we need another.

[sparticus]

G-man writes: We need new pubs because new pubs and decent places to eat help lift an area. At the moment the only really decent place to go for a drink if you are someone like myself - Late 30s early 40s, professional, into music, ale art and such - is the Dolphin. No other pub works for me. And there is hardly anywhere to have a decent meal on the high street. We need more variety, more choice and another decent boozer. It's what starts things and with our English weather a pub is a lot better than an open space for holding community events. They are dry and warm and what's better is they serve beer!*

There are perfectly good places to eat on the High Street, the Dolphin, Trattoria Rafaele and On the Hoof come to mind immediately. I'm with Robin on this one. What is needed is a decent pub that sells decent beer- somewhere where conversation between strangers is encouraged. We are sadly lacking in decent pubs hereabouts, compared with say Forest Hill and now Penge of all places.The Dolphin is OK if you like that sort of thing, the Golden Lion is a miserable hole with crap beer (no wonder the landlord looks so miserable, he must be loosing money hand over fist)The Albert could be a little gem, but it's been "modernised" plays loud music and I can't climb up on those high stools, and I've never dared venture into the Pavilion. Unfortunately, I suspect that the rent demanded by the developers will mean that the Greyhound, if it is ever rebuilt, will go to one of the chains that offer over-hyped, over priced and over hopped "craft" offerings served in Stygnian gloom accompanied by loud music and second-rate smelly food. I doubt it would fit Antic's business model. Though I suspect Purflakes's long-term aim is to wear everyone down so they can let it to Mcdonalds or Pizza Express.

[sparticus]

And just look at the correct use of the apostrophe and acute accent. They had standards in those days!

[Pally]

Yes could I back up Mosy's words. Personally I agree with MCD an open plaza would be best but others here disagree. They want their Greyhound back. What we all don't want is the wreck that is wrecking Sydenham. We can argue for third and fourth options but they would cause further delay and probably not succeed.

So we have two realistic options on the table. Leave the wreck as it is or enforce the original planning application and get it rebuilt and trading again as soon as possible. I'm awaiting news daily on that.

Admin

Personally I would prefer a Plaza too but I agree with Admin. re enforcing the planning application and getting I rebuilt asap!

[G-Man]

Sparticual wrote:
"There are perfectly good places to eat on the High Street, the Dolphin, Trattoria Rafaele and On the Hoof come to mind immediately. I'm with Robin on this one. What is needed is a decent pub that sells decent beer- somewhere where conversation between strangers is encouraged. We are sadly lacking in decent pubs hereabouts, compared with say Forest Hill and now Penge of all places.The Dolphin is OK if you like that sort of thing, the Golden Lion is a miserable hole with crap beer (no wonder the landlord looks so miserable, he must be loosing money hand over fist)The Albert could be a little gem, but it's been "modernised" plays loud music and I can't climb up on those high stools, and I've never dared venture into the Pavilion. Unfortunately, I suspect that the rent demanded by the developers will mean that the Greyhound, if it is ever rebuilt, will go to one of the chains that offer over-hyped, over priced and over hopped "craft" offerings served in Stygnian gloom accompanied by loud music and second-rate smelly food. I doubt it would fit Antic's business model. Though I suspect Purflakes's long-term aim is to wear everyone down so they can let it to Mcdonalds or Pizza Express.

I don't know why you quoted me and started ranting about good places to eat. I said I want a pub that serves decent beer too. And as far as chains with overpriced "craft" offerings, - most pubs serving "craft beer" are independent or small chains - like Late Knights. What they are though is passionate about the products they sell. And now, usually for a pub to survive it needs to offer good food and have a community element, hold events etc.

And for reference I love a straight pint of mild as much as I like a massively hoppy American IPA, and any good pub, craft or not will serve a good variety of cask and keg beers.

G-Man

[sparticus]

G-man:
You wrote:

And there is hardly anywhere to have a decent meal on the high street.

I merely pointed out that in fact there are a number of good places to eat, hardly a rant. it's important to celebrate what we do have locally.

My dream pub would be a traditional boozer that serves a decent session bitter at a reasonable price, that's warm and welcoming, and a comfortable walk from home. Such places seem to exist elsewhere, and seem to thrive.

[G-Man]

Fair dos Sparticus. And I totally agree on all counts. A fire or a wood burner would be nice too and decent sausage rolls.

mmm sausage rolls and a decent pint of Best or a nice malty Mild.

[biscuitman1978]

The Sydenham Assembly Newsletter currently being delivered to every home in the ward reports that all of the papers concerning the Greyhound reconstruction have now been received by council officers and that work on rebuilding the pub will start ‘imminently’.

The Rebuild the Greyhound Pub campaign very much welcomes this news, but we understand that the papers need to be signed off by building control officers at Lewisham Council before work can begin. We will be pressing ward councillors and the Mayor of Lewisham to ensure that the papers are reviewed as a matter of urgency, in order that work can start on site.

We also understand that new planning applications will be made for the addition of a conservatory and stairs, but that this will not hold up the developer's return to site. Again, we will be pressing ward councillors and the Mayor of Lewisham to ensure that these applications are dealt with swiftly once they are received.

[Ghlpc]

Thanks for the update biscuitman1978.

Another hurdle jumped, many more to come I would imagine, but I get a feeling of positive momentum regarding this.

It would be great not just to have a new pub, but to get those empty units around it open and running to bring a bit of vibrancy to that corner.

I always thought that the opening of the greyhound would be the catalyst for growth in Sydenham, and dispaired at the constant set backs.

However over the last few years some really great shops have sprung up despite the eyesore at cobbs corner. With a rumoured Late knights looking at a venue, I'm optimistic for the future of our high street.

[admin]

Latest, and it's looking very good:

"The building control application for the works has been approved and we will have a timescale for the start on site so it is moving forward."

That's from the planners. Hopefully at next week's Sydenham Assembly we might have more information on 'timescale'.

Admin

[biscuitman1978]

Latest, and it's looking very good:

"The building control application for the works has been approved and we will have a timescale for the start on site so it is moving forward."

Excellent news. My thanks to councillors for pushing this forward in the past 24 hours.

[Nigel]

Biscuitman
We are again indebted to you .
Lets hope this is the start and not another false start.
A very good evening
Nigel

[biscuitman1978]

Cllr Best has posted the following helpful and encouraging update on the Greyhound in this thread elsewhere on the Forum:

[H]ere is the latest update from the Head of Planning:

On 5 March the applicants submitted a formal Building Regulations application to the Council and engineers structural calculations followed on 7 March. On 11 March Building Control officers confirmed the details submitted were acceptable and the application was formally approved.

Whilst the Building Regulations application provided sufficient information to secure Building Control approval there were outstanding details required to satisfy planning requirements. Planning officers therefore requested further advice on 11 March from the applicants on how the lintels would be removed without damaging the brickwork and what tools would be used, confirmation of the proposed treatment to make the flank wall bricks appear more like the existing in terms of colour and, with regard to the rebuilding of the gables, in particular the bonding and pointing, confirmation that the new mortar mix would match the original in type, consistency and colour.

The applicants have today advised that:

1. The lintels will be removed by carefully taking down the brickwork gables with the use of small hand tools only. These will then be re-constructed with lime mortar and cleaned down on completion.
2.We understand the desire to use a water/chemical based cleaning agent on the brickwork and will consult with a specialist masonry cleaning contractor once works have commenced on site.
3.In rebuilding the gables, we will use a lime mortar to match the original but do not necessarily see that the joints will be wider as we will use the original imperial sized bricks.

This response is considered acceptable and we are now looking to sign off the Schedule 10 works next week.

The applicant has further confirmed that they would require 3 to 4 week from receiving the final approval of the scheme of restoration and reinstatement works from the Council to be able to commence works on site. The building works once commenced would take up to 4 months to complete. We consider it reasonable to expect mobilisation and a start on site to be achieved by the week beginning 13 April 2015.

The applicants still wish to pursue proposals for an external staircase to the rear of the Greyhound building leading down to the basement area and a single-storey conservatory to the side. Both additions would require full planning permission. Whist the principle of a conservatory was approved in the 2012 planning application, the provision of external stairs is a new proposal. This will need to be the subject of consultation and will require thorough assessment. The applicants have advised that the planning application will be submitted at ‘the earliest opportunity’ and that they do not intend to delay works from commencing on site whilst the application is considered.

[biscuitman1978]

Lewisham Council officers will be updating the Mayor of Lewisham on progress with the Greyhound on Wednesday 25 March 2015.

Their report is available here. The key paragraphs read:

Whilst it is acknowledged that sufficient time would be required to undertake such mobilisation [by which I assume the author of the report means 'commence works on site', as set out in an earlier paragraph], officers consider it reasonable to expect this to be achieved by week beginning 13 April 2015, considering Easter falls between 3-6 April.

Subsequently, should significant construction works have not commenced on site by week beginning 27 April 2015, it is recommended that the Council then consider whether or not to commence legal proceedings for breach of the original S106 Agreement Schedule 10 requirements.

In other words, work should hopefully start by w/c 13 April 2015.

If work hasn't started by w/c 27 April 2015, the Council will (assuming the Mayor and Cabinet agree with officers' recommendation) then consider whether or not to take further legal action against the developer.

Full details of Wednesday's meeting are here. The Greyhound is fifteenth on the agenda. The meeting is open to the public if anyone would like to attend!

[Gaddison]

Onc again, many thanks Biscuitman for your updates. I hope to see the builders there soon.

[blakewho]

Surely an external rear staircase would obscure the view of the mosaic. Don't think I like that idea much.

[leenewham]

It's going down the the basement, so it should be below the mural.

To be honest, I just hope they finish it, and do it well and permissions are granted swiftly to ensure it happens and Purelake never darken our doors again. I'd certainly refuse to have anything to do with them ever again.

[owlwise]

Work starts on the 13th...hmm, that bodes well.

[parker]

Work starts on the 13th...hmm, that bodes well.

This project has contained enough bad luck, I don't think it could get any worse. Hopefully here's where things change for good.

[biscuitman1978]

I wasn't able to attend last night's meeting of Lewisham's Mayor and Cabinet, but those who were report that:

At last night's Mayor and Cabinet meeting clarification was sought about the timetable for action on The Greyhound site.

It was confirmed that Purelake is expected to be on site the week beginning 13 April. If this does not happen the Head of Law advised that a pre-protocol letter will be sent to Purelake advising them that legal action will be taken by Lewisham Council on 27 April. However Head of Planning, John Miller, anticipates that Purelake will be back on site by 13 April.

The application to vary the 2010 permission by adding a conservatory and outside staircase providing access to the basement is expected to be with the Planning Department on the Tuesday after the Easter weekend. This will need to be consulted upon as it will require a full planning permission, but is not anticipated to hold up other work on The Greyhound.