2.1 Planning issues – Gavin Cooper
· The Greyhound
· Enforcement issues
· Progress on vacant sites
2.2 Highways issues - Written reply
· Station Approach
· Footbridge on Dacres Road
2.3 Skanska Streetlighting issues Written reply
· Heritage columns in Conservation Areas
Minutes:
2.1Planning Issues – The Greyhound
Gavin Cooper, from Lewisham Planning, provided an update on the Greyhound. He stressed this was a top priority for Lewisham’s Planning Department to resolve. He explained they are still waiting for one of the parties to sign the current Deed of Variation. There is a meeting on Friday to discuss Purelake submitting a new planning application which will hopefully enable them to commence work without the need for a Deed of Variation. Following planning approval the expectation is that, by the end of the year, Purelake will be back on site to make the building water tight as a priority, and then find an operator to bring the building back into use.
Q Is Sainsburys still going ahead?
A. Sainsburys are still interested in the retail unit at 313 Kirkdale
Q. Are Purelake liaising with the community over new plans?
A. As a Council we will be consulting with the Sydenham Society and other community groups prior to the submission of the new planning application. Once the new planning application is submitted there will be the statutory 3 week consultation period for comments and, if necessary, a public meeting for Purelake to present their proposals.
Cllr Best outlined the variations and a way forward;
Cllr Best added that it is in the interest of all of us to get this eyesore sorted out and discuss face to face with Purelake that the community wants to see the building rebuilt with the existing planning use. As a Councillor, working with Cllr Curran and Cllr Onikosi, she will push to keep this moving, and hopes to have a result by Christmas.
Action: Cllr Best to report back at the next meeting
Enforcement
177 Sydenham Road – the church has now ceased following an enforcement notice.
There are currently limited resources within the Council so these resources are used for high priority cases and complaints had been received from neighbours of noise nuisance.
Vacant sites
22-24 Sydenham Road – on going and the Council is happy with the design. The issue is the provision of affordable housing which at the moment is not included and poses a major issue for the Council. An update will be provided at the next meeting.
Action: Sydenham Assembly Coordinator to ensure there is an update for the next meeting
2.2.Highways issues
Cllr Best updated that the gismo from New Zealand has finally arrived and has been installed. The traffic lights are now phased and countdown had been included in the junctions along Sydenham road. They may need further tweaking, which can be done remotely, to prevent long holdups on Kirkdale.
Station Approach - Cllr Best explained that the permission to transfer the land has been agreed and now needs to the legal agreements signed. Once this is complete work can commence on the installation of the new public toilet.
Footbridge on Dacres Road - There are few technical points to be explored and agreements with Network Rail.
High street Cleaning Scheme is booked for the end of June, in time for the Sydenham Arts Festival. Cllr Best has been liaising with the refuse management to deal with traders who are not bagging up waste properly which is causing oil spots/ dirt on the new paving. There are daily pick-ups.
A resident commented that there is refuse issues in Tannsfeld Road because people are dumping waste and refuse bins are left there and not taken back onto the curtilage.
Cllr Best said that she has raised this with the Refuse Team on their walkabout meetings. There are on going discussions with traders and residents to replace bins and keep areas clean. Cllr Best added that collection points have been modified but will look into this issue.
Another resident stated that there was a green recycling bin overflowing and hasn’t been emptied for at least a week, plus clothes. He has emailed Love Lewisham a week ago but nothing has happened.
Cllr Onikosi explained that she has the responsibility of Public Realm in the Cabinet which involves environmental services including refuse and street cleaning and is happy to discuss these issues and see what can be done to improve them.
Action: Cllr Onikosi to report back at the next meeting
2.3.Skanska Streetlighting Issues
Heritage lamps have started to arrive. There is a problem with one lamp onQueensthorpe Square which has been placed too close to the wall, and in front of another light. This is being looked into. Any further queries can be passed to Cllr Best or Maya Onyett (maya.onyett@lewisham.gov.uk)
Action: Sydenham Assembly Coordinator to ensure there is an update for the next meeting