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The Dulwich Estate received planning consent for the redevelopment of the site on 23rd July. The approved scheme will provide additional retail space, a new doctor’s surgery at the rear, and flats and maisonettes above.
A Chinese developer has approached the mayor’s office about building a replica of the original Crystal Palace.
The public exhibition of the Dulwich Estate and S G Smith’s proposed redevelopment of the service area at the rear of the site was held on Monday and Tuesday 15th and 16th July. Over 100 people attended. The Society has given an initial response and a further meeting was held with the planning consultant and architect this week to clarify our position. The Society will be consulting with members in due course but its initial view is that residential development would be welcome and we have a preference for smaller units that would appeal to younger families and downsizers – we do not need believe that we need more 5/6 bedroom houses. The architect will be developing options over the next few months and there will be further public consultation before the planning application is submitted.
The Society has objected to the scheme on traffic and pedestrian safety grounds but it is clear that there is considerable political pressure to have the school up and running by September, and it is very likely to receive consent - see the link at: planningonline.southwark.gov.uk/...
The SCST’s proposals to construct a new building on its site in Turney Road, and let it to Nelly’s Nursery, received planning consent on 23rd July despite a large number of objections from local residents. The main concern was the Council’s acceptance of inappropriate development on Metropolitan Open Land, but there were also comments about to the impact of additional traffic, the protection of trees and the potential increase on flooding.
There will be a public consultation on Network Rail’s proposed remedial works to the railway bridges in Village Way, Croxted Road and Rosendale Road on 7th November (All Saints Church) and 14th November (Montessori School). They are also currently working at Sydenham Hill Station strengthening the footbridge.
Following the consultation on the proposed tender of rail services covering Thameslink, Southern and South Eastern services, the Society has written to our MP, Tessa Jowell, and our London Assembly member, Valerie Shawcross.
We have asked them to support an improvement in the frequency of local train services and for the reinstatement of connections to East Croydon. We have also raised the provision of disabled access to the Dulwich Stations and reminded them of the local desire to change the name at Sydenham Hill to South Dulwich.
The public consultation remains on course for late September and will be held over two weekends at the Francis Peak Community Centre in Dulwich Park.
The Herne Hill Music festival will take place in October see attached link for programme information at.orpheusweb.co.uk/...
It has now been confirmed that S G Smith, the Audi dealer in the centre of the Village, will be moving their car servicing business to a site outside the area, though they will still be retaining their showroom for the present. This is good news for Dulwich as it will remove the severe parking stress in nearby Gilkes Crescent and other roads. The Dulwich Estate intends to redevelop the site for housing and there will be a public exhibition at S G Smith’s showroom between 4-6pm on Monday and Tuesday 15th and 16th July.
The BBC filmed the memorial plaque ceremony at the junction of Park Hall Road Road and Acacia Grove on Sunday 8th July and a short section on it was featured on the BBC Local London News on Monday. The plaque was unveiled by one of the survivors.
The Society reviewed the planning application for the new free school at a consultation meeting on 3rd July. While welcoming the school in principle it shares local residents’ concerns over the traffic and parking implications. Although the plans suggest that parents will drive in and out of the site, the proposed gate is not wide enough to allow two vehicles to pass. Traffic will back up along Half Moon Lane and impact on cars coming down Holmdene Avenue directly opposite. It is likely that the new access will lead to changes in the layout of Half Moon Lane, including moving the adjacent pedestrian crossing, and the introduction of a 20mph zone complete with raised tables and footway build outs.
This plant hire business which operates from the northern Network Rail railway arches in Burbage Road is seeking to expand its operations. Local residents are concerned over the number of trucks parking illegally in the road and the amount of noise and disruption that they are experiencing early in the morning. Questions are being asked as to whether this is an appropriate type of business in a residential area.