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There is still no confirmation on the date for the commissioning of the other cycling facilities and Southwark has not responded to concerns raised in the recent safety audit. The Society has now written to the relevant Council Cabinet member asking for action to be taken.
Surprise proposals for the blanket introduction of yellow lines at 126 junctions in and around Dulwich were discussed at the DCC. Criticism over the lack of consultation forced a halt so that all stakeholders could be briefed.
The proposal for a single yellow line loading bay outside the proposed Sainsbury’s and restaurants in Dulwich Village was thought to be sensible and was approved.
The Society has raised concerns about rumoured plans to centralise Traffic Management issues in Tooley Street away from Community Councils. Local Councillors are currently being consulted but it seems to us that residents should also be asked for their views.
Sunday 8 May: Walking with Wates. Ian McInnes will lead two tours through the 1950s & 60s Wates Estates in ‘South Dulwich’ & Upper Norwood. Book on http://dulwichfestival.co.uk
Tuesday 10 May: Why are there no pubs on the west side of Lordship Lane? Ian McInnes will give a free talk on the history of East Dulwich at 2.0pm at the Dulwich Library.
Tuesday 10 May: The Surprising Story of Christ’s Chapel: Christ’s Chapel was built only 11 years after the Gunpowder Plot and during the first century of its 400 years it was a place of religious fanaticism and change. This and later changes in religious observance can be seen in aspects of the interior of the building which will be explained by historian Brian Green. Music played a vital part in the history of Christ’s Chapel; Handel. Arne, Vaughan Williams and Holst all had walk-on roles. Marilyn Harper, Chapel Organist will play some of their music on the same organ in use since 1760.
http://dulwichfestival.co.uk
Sunday 15 May: Dulwich & Herne Hill Pubs exhibition at Rosebery Lodge at the Dulwich Park Fair: The Dulwich & Herne Hill Societies are publishing a new book on the history of local pubs in May. This exhibition celebrates its launch with original pictures, posters and historic newspaper articles.
The extended public consultation finished on the 21 March and the scheme was discussed in more detail at the Dulwich Community Council meeting the week before on 15 March when a deputation form the Court Lane Residents Association spoke. The proposed removal of several island crossings and of safety barriers outside schools remains controversial, as has the idea of restricting number of lanes at the Village junction and the ‘no left turn’ into Turney from Dulwich Village. It is clear, however, from Council statements at both the DCC and the recent Council Public Question meeting that, unless there is a change in funding after the mayoral election, the scheme is likely to go ahead despite whatever residents say.
Arguments over the green space next to the Judith Kerr School on Half Moon Lane continue. The Dulwich Estate issued a copy of its recent statement to local councillors at a meeting on 15 March while the 'Save the JKPS Green Space Campaign', made up of some local residents and parents of children at the school, issued a press release on Thursday - the two statements are published in full below:
Report on a meeting between the DS Traffic and Transport Group and Govia Thameslink Railway on 16 Feb 2016
Present: Govia Thameslink (GT): Stuart Cheshire, Passenger Service Director, Thameslink; and Terry Oliver. Dulwich Society (DS): Alastair Hanton, Pamela Monblat & Barry Coker
Introduction: The DS confirmed that it was the largest local amenity society in SE London representing over 1100 households who make regular use of local transport – especially local rail services.
GT explained that they were part of the group of companies which provide rail services for Thameslink, Southern & South Eastern railways. They also noted that, contrary to popular belief, the income from tickets etc. did not go to GT directly but to the Department for Transport. GT were provided with a fee for running the contracted services but were penalised for trains which did not run, did not stop at stations, etc.
London Bridge:
The DS queried the continued disruption to trains travelling to and from London Bridge including instances where trains terminated at South Bermondsey.
The Dulwich Estate is challenging Southwark Council’s recent designation of the pub as an Asset of Community Value. It has issued the following press statement which says:
The Dulwich Estate, via its retained property advisers, has asked Southwark Council to explain how the nomination to designate the Charity's property as an Asset of Community Value meets the criteria as specified in the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012. The Charity has raised this by way of a challenge in accordance with Section 10 of these Regulations in order to protect its position under planning legislation.
Notification from the Council that the nomination had been successful was received via email at 12.34 p.m. on Monday 2lst December. The Charity's representations (as set out in a 7 page letter) in response to the nomination had been submitted by its property advisers to the Council by email at12.27 p.m. on Friday the 18th December. Given this very short time frame, the Charity questions whether the Council had given due consideration to the representations and how the nomination fully meets the requirements under the Regulations.
The ACV Designation of the Half Moon Public House protects the use of the property as a public house only - it does not secure any part of the premises as a venue for live entertainment since this is ancillary to the primary use of property as a public house. The planning application by Fullers does not propose any change of use to the ground floor which will remain as a public house.
The Charity's objective remains to get the building refurbished in order for it to re-open as soon as possible. To this end, it is pleased to have reached the agreement with Fullers under which both parties will invest significant sums to restore and refurbish the building, providing hotel accommodation in addition to the public house and dining facilities, in order to ensure the viability of the Half Moon in the long-term. It is hoped that Fullers will be successful in achieving a planning approval with the support of the local community; should Fullers fail in this, it is at liberty to withdraw from the agreement with the Estate. The Charity would then be tasked with finding an alternative tenant willing to undertake refurbishment of the property.”
John Major
Chief Executive
23 February 2016
The first two dates for the Police Surgeries to be held at St. Barnabas Parish Hall will be Wednesday 16 March between 1300-1500hrs, and Friday 8 April between 1300-1500hrs. PC Steve BUSH and PSCO MEHMET will be available for the 2 hour period to discuss any non-urgent local matters that are concerning residents. They will offer crime prevention advice, hand out burglary prevention leaflets and explain about the Met’s current SmartWater campaign - and book appointments to come to peoples’ houses to issue the kits. This is a major step forward from the police and hopefully members will take advantage of it.
The Trust is looking for someone with accounting and book keeping experience to help the Trustees run the track's operational activities whilst the pavilion is re-built, due to complete Jan 2017
The role would involve working with the Trust's Treasurer and would include helping to manage the books and records of the Trust, closing the month end accounts and making associated filings.
The time commitment is flexible and would require between half a day and a day per week.
The role would be paid and terms will be discussed with interested candidates. The successful candidates will require a background in book keeping and/or have a relevant accounting qualification. If you are interested in this then please contact Hillary Peachey on 07917688373 or email
Dulwich Society Annual General Meeting - 25 April 2016
Executive Committee Reports For The Year 2015
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Local shop rents: The Dulwich Estate has been heavily criticized, both in the local press and on social media, for its stance on raising shop rents. A number of rent reviews are currently being negotiated and there is much concern locally that substantial increases could lead to there being less independent traders. The Estate was forced to issue a statement clarifying its position over ‘Just Williams’ in Herne Hill.
Dulwich Community Hospital site: The new Charter School East Dulwich will occupy most of the former hospital site and construction work should start in 2017 - its first students are due to start in September this year on a temporary school site in Peckham. The latest information on the proposed health facility on the south east corner is that it should be operational by 2019.
Dulwich Hamlet Football Club: Discussions over the future of the Dulwich Hamlet Football Club continue. The developer/owner still intends to build flats on the existing ground and move the stadium onto the adjacent Green Dale. This is Metropolitan Open Land and the Society’s view is that it should not be built on.
Cycle Quietways consultation: Following considerable public engagement last year, Southwark Council produced a set of proposals to encourage more cycling in the local area. These were consulted on in February/March.
Flood alleviation works: Southwark Council won two awards for the recent flood alleviation schemes in Dulwich Park, Belair Park and the Southwark Community Trust Sports Ground.
Sainsburys: Shepherds assigned their lease to Sainsburys last autumn. Subject to planning approval for the proposed new shop front and signage the new ‘Micro Store’ should open on March/April.
New Post office: This was incorporated successfully into Rumsey the chemist. The old Post office unit is closed pending re-letting.
Dulwich Estate Press Release
The Dulwich Estate is the freeholder of the land at 62-68 Half Moon Lane, part of which is currently leased to the Centre for British Teachers (CfBT) Education Trust for the Judith Kerr Primary School.
In response to the recent public consultation on the Southwark Plan it has submitted representations to the Council concerning the future of the land at 62-68 Half Moon Lane for possible use as subsidised sheltered housing (almshouses) for elderly people.
Commenting today (15 February), James Williamson (PR and communications adviser to The Dulwich Estate on the project) said “The Dulwich Estate will be engaging with councillors, community leaders and stakeholders to understand their views over the future of 62-68 Half Moon Lane.
After undertaking consultation, The Dulwich Estate will carefully review all the feedback received before deciding how best to move forward.”