A Month to Save the Pools

The place for serious discussion, announcements and breaking news about Sydenham
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Tim Walder
Posts: 28
Joined: 4 Jun 2008 21:13
Location: Forest Hill

A Month to Save the Pools

Post by Tim Walder »

Lewisham Council's decision on demolition of Forest Hill Pools and Louise House is now about a month away. There is a degree of urgency in seeking to persuade the Mayor and Cabinet that they are mistaken on this decision.

The Save the Face of Forest Hill campaign is ongoing in its opposition to the demolition of the frontage block of the Pools and Louise House. As a reminder, you can sign the petition at:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sav ... -hill.html

With the online petition and the paper petitions we currently have about 900 signed up supporters. You can also visit our website at:

http://sites.google.com/site/savethefac ... thill/Home

to get details of the campaign.

We are also urging all interested parties to attend the Council organised Public Meeting to discuss the pools plans at Forest Hill Methodist Church, Normanton Street, Forest Hill, London SE23 at 7pm on Thursday 21st August 2008 to air their views.
ALIB
Posts: 1553
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 21:34
Location: East Sussex

Post by ALIB »

Thank you Tim for the meeting last night at The Hob. After hearing about the historical value of the buildings and the financial speculation involved in the proposals, I think the Council are making a big mistake in trying to 'railroad' the public.
Also Thanks to Steve Grindlay for his talk on the history of the 4 buildings. I didn't stay for all of it because of domestic duties, but am looking forward to attending more of Steve's presentations in the future.

I hope people who attended last night also encourage friends and family to come the meeting on Thursday. It is very important to raise the profile of this very important issue.

Ali B
poppy
Posts: 574
Joined: 1 Sep 2007 20:03
Location: Sydenham

Forest Hill pools

Post by poppy »

If they do replace the buildings this is what they should aspire to:
http://www.bromleymytime.org.uk/spa-leisure-centre.html
Not sure the budget would stretch though :(
Pat Trembath
Posts: 613
Joined: 2 Oct 2004 10:54

Post by Pat Trembath »

Confirmation has been received this morning that English Heritage has given Louise House a Grade 2 listing
ALIB
Posts: 1553
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 21:34
Location: East Sussex

Post by ALIB »

:D :D :D
Big Ben
Posts: 202
Joined: 2 Oct 2004 18:19
Location: sydenham

Post by Big Ben »

That's amazing news!
Ronski
Posts: 437
Joined: 6 Jan 2006 01:19
Location: SE26

Post by Ronski »

that's great, does that mean there's no way they can demolish it then or could the pool building still go?
Pat Trembath
Posts: 613
Joined: 2 Oct 2004 10:54

Post by Pat Trembath »

That's an interesting question you have posed and may well be asked at Lewisham's public meeting tomorrow at 7 pm at FH Methodist Church, Normanton St, SE23.

It is likely that for the timebeing the future of the pools building is secure as Chris Best publicly undertook that there would be no demolition without designs available.

With regard to Louise House the council would need to apply to English Heritage to de-list the building and for demolition consent. This would only be considered providing there was an EH approved planning application going through the planning process in parallel.
dickp
Posts: 567
Joined: 7 Jan 2005 14:39
Location: Cardiff

Post by dickp »

Ok, who tipped off Private Eye about the Forest Hill Pool shenanigans? It's covered in "Nooks and corners", page 14, on the issue dated 22 August - 4 September.

Honestly, I have never met a more media-savvy local community as you lot! Alastair Campbell would be proud of you all. :)
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 2577
Joined: 20 Sep 2004 21:49

Post by admin »

I've put a recording of the BBC London News item on the Pools on the homepage (sorry about the quality, I had little warning). The BBC headline editor got the story completely wrong ....

Admin
ALIB
Posts: 1553
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 21:34
Location: East Sussex

Post by ALIB »

I talk bollo sometimes
(edited)

Ali B

( :D )
Last edited by ALIB on 24 Aug 2008 17:50, edited 1 time in total.
LivesNearby
Posts: 47
Joined: 21 Feb 2008 11:44
Location: Forest Hill

Post by LivesNearby »

What has been listed? Is it just the red roofed building, or is it the large, single storey building to the rear in this Aerial Viewas well?
Tim Walder
Posts: 28
Joined: 4 Jun 2008 21:13
Location: Forest Hill

What has been listed?

Post by Tim Walder »

That is a good question.

The red roofed building in your aerial shot is Louise House and that has been listed.

The single storey building at the rear of Louise House was once the laundry where the girls did their washing. As I understand it (and I could be mistaken) everything associated with Louise House is listed, so I suppose that building is too.

This does not mean that permission could not be sought to demolish or alter it as part of a new reuse fro the building. I for one, would be quite happy to see it go. It was nothing special in the first place and has been substantially altered over the years. I would imagine that if Louise House was, say, turned into flats it would need to go to make more garden and I would support that.

Tim Walder
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