Community Centres in Sydenham

[OnCrestOfHill]

The community centre on the Hillcrest Estate has been closed for the last 3 years. Apparently it was underused. Now the plan is to pull it down and replace it with a block of flats. More people, fewer facilities. Ironically, we learn about the development plans a 15 minute walk or so away because there's no community space closer we can meet in. There's no longer a residents' association here.

Looks to me like this is a lost cause here. But I see similar closed buildings elsewhere around Lewisham. If it's your space, perhaps you should act to protect it sooner. Once it's gone, it won't come back.

Shared space helps community. Though of course there is a cost.

The football/sports pitch on the estate has been threatened too, though there are signs it may be spared - no specific development has been put forward for it, though it still features as a possible site. This on an estate with over 200 flats without gardens. The argument again gets made it is underused - and that's not seen as a sign we need to do more to promote outdoor play, but as one that outdoor play areas aren't needed. Apparently our football pitch is a "difficult site" - let's hope this helps protect it.

In an age when the Council are keen to build, existing residential amenity land is vulnerable.