Minutes:
The Windmill and The Talma - Mary McKernan told the meeting that recently Forest Hill has lost a number of key buildings and at present there are two pubs under threat. The Windmill on Kirkdale could become a Sainsbury’s and they have applied to have the Windmill an asset of community value as this provides the right to bid as a community if it comes on the market. To get round this Sainsbury’s have applied for a short term lease. Mary stated that they are in the process of getting legal advice as to whether the asset of community value can be viewed as a material consideration. This goes to the Planning Committee on Thursday at 7pm at the Civic Suite in Catford.
Mary then told the meeting that one of Lewisham’s stated reasons for not needing the Windmill is that there is the Talma, however this is now closed and a developer has put in an application to put in a large number of flats in the building. This is a historic pub dating back to the 1840s so they will try to get this listed. The developers will require a change of use so this will be harder for them. Until the planning committee actually make their decision they will consider objections.
Community art & History project - Amy Lord told the meeting that this was started in Deptford in 2012 and she hopes to bring it to Forest Hill, but is dependent on Council funding. The project consisted of a series of hour long book shops where anyone can come into the premises and learn how to make a book, there are 5 different levels, dependent on craft skill. People are able to cut and paste local articles / archives into the book and it becomes a local history which can be shared. The feedback in Deptford was excellent and if this happens in Forest Hill a space will need to be found. The assembly then suggested that Amy looks at a few venues including Louise House, Stag and Bow and Kelvin Grove School.
For more information view:
http://www.amy-lord.com/the-takeaway-shop/
Albion Millennium Green – Bruno Roubicek told the meeting that this is situated adjacent to the railway line near here and it is open 24hrs every day and hosts many events. On 22nd March there will be a ‘big dig day’ where they will be planting lots of shrubs. This summer they will be putting on a reduced version of Romeo and Juliet. Bruno asked the attendees to come along and visit as it is volunteer run and needs your support. People can also become members of Friends of Albion Millennium Green and it only costs £6.
Henderson (known as H) introduced himself as a personal social development tutor working with various schools in the area. He stated that he loves Forest Hill but there is a disengagement in the area and he wants to know what he can do to bring the generations closer together both culturally and generation wise. The aim is to enable young people to be confident and able enough to challenge and he will be liaising with organisations such as the ones in this room so that he can put on activities and workshops that can bring people together. H stated that he has links with sport organisations, music companies, as well as Deutsche Bank. He is open to do anything that can bring this community together.
Proposed Neighbourhood Forum - Brett Callacher told the meeting that he wants to talk about Neighbourhood Planning. This means that people can influence local planning decisions within their area and supplement them in positive ways. In Honor Oak where he lives (top of Devonshire Road) there are lots of different boundaries and neighbourhood planning could help to resolve this as it can work across boundaries. However, in Crofton Park they have applied for their own Neighbourhood Forum and this is called Crofton Park and Honor Oak Park Forum. Brett explained that this is where the problem is as they are using the ward boundary to define their area but according to their boundary they can make plans to my local shops but he cannot contribute towards this as he is not within the designated forum area. Under this plan many members of the community and organisations will no longer be able to influence local decisions. Brett stated that he will leave some information as he is concerned that many people are not aware of this. He is also setting up a survey asking where people think they live. If the council allows this, no other community can represent Honor Oak Park.
Cllr Feakes – This is something that has the potential to affect all of us including parts of Forest Hill so please do have a look at this and let other people know about it.