Forgotten Camberwell

Farewell, thank you and good luck

2007-09-03T16:24:00.000+01:00

[Note: we have now left the neighbourhood. Thanks again one and all]

For nearly three years residents living on and around Southampton Way (North Peckham and North/Northeast Camberwell) have petitioned and pleaded on a number of issues related to improving the overall community. This blog offers insight into a lot of the issues and tactics used (note: previous posts are available via links down the right-hand side, the further back you go, the more former posts will appear), as well as information on how you can continue the push for improvements. Further, an email distribution group provided extensive updates and information on key issues and key contacts. Hopefully this blog and those emails provide you with a lot of information to carry on.

As the person who picked up from work done by others and initiated the blog and email group, I am moving out of the neighbourhood from mid-September 2007. If you have any questions on the status of particular projects, the history of our efforts or anything else, please leave them in the 'comments' section here (you can choose 'anonymous' to make it easier) and I will do my best to help out before my time runs out.

If anyone would like to take over the blog and/or the email group, please be in touch via forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk [I can promise to those already part of the group that I will only hand off access to your data if I feel absolutely certain the person(s) interested will treat your data with the existing level of confidentiality.]

Thank you to everyone for your help and enthusiasm in improving a community we all care about. All the best in your future battles and please be in touch if you've any questions or comments.

Good luck and farewell.

Tom 'Tommy' D
[UPDATE: Results from Cross River Tram consultation are out: The majority favoured Burgess Park to Wells Way for our leg. You can read the report here. Also, sadly a murder in Burgess Park]

Borough of Camberwell

2007-08-17T14:12:00.000+01:00

You'll have to stare and focus - but just above the entrance to the old Camberwell Library on Wells Way you can see it etched in stone: Borough of Camberwell. I'm not aware of any other place in the whole of Camberwell that still proclaims the glory days when Camberwell was its own borough before it was swallowed into the Southwark creation of 1934. Ironically, this unique site technically stands today within the borders of Walworth.
Works on the old Library and Baths are well underway and a new, gleaming compound should be unveiled sometime in early 2008. The building was designed and constructed in 1904 and did what he said on the tin - served as a bath house for many of the homes surrounding it, which included many of those razed terraced houses that once lined now (mostly) gone streets in Burgess Park, and of course the Libary, which moved to Camberwell Church Street in 1995.

Today the building houses Groundwork Southwark and Lambeth, who insisted their landlord Southwark refurbish the place before agreeing to sign a new lease. It also houses the Lynn Boxing Club - space used by a number of community groups.

Just behind is the old lime chimney - one of the few relics sitting beside the footpath that once was the Grand Surrey Canal. English Heritage have contributed to a growing pot of cash to restore the chimney (also listed).

The works involve cleaning the ornate brick work, stripping and painting the iron work, and repairing many of the windows that haven't opened properly in years. They may even clean the wonderful mosaic Camberwell Beauty - once on the side of a former factory (now South City Court flats) on Peckham Grove, it celebrates the butterfly named after Camberwell (still in existence, though not spotted in the UK for some time).

It is a significant investment in Burgess Park, which has suffered from lack of direction and funding since its creation. As stated earlier, the park was once covered in streets and terraced houses. The best map is available just outside the public toilets of Chumleigh Gardens - one of the few examples of the type of houses that used to cover the now park. The Tennis Centre improvements and football pitch at the far eastern end of the park are other improvements of late. You can still see the major plans once proposed by a coalition including The Friends of Burgess Park here. Hopes were high for European money but it didn't come to pass. The latest advocate of the park is Groundwork Southwark/Lambeth, who offer a full book on the history of the park via their website. Today all eyes are on Southwark's Executive who in October 2007, are expected to approve plans to create a Community Trust for the park. Such a mechanism will allow the local community to raise funds and make decisions on the park's future.

Many former residents of the park are still around, as most were moved to the Aylesbury Estate. It was new when they moved in and there were promises that the homes and land they vacated would be used to create a wonderful park for their leisure. Now it appears the Aylesbury will be demolished and rebuilt before Burgess Park is fully developed. The Cross River Tram is a big issue facing Burgess Park. Favoured plans had the Tram crossing the park on its route from Peckham to Elephant. Many have lobbied for an alternate route up Wells Way and there was much support for a compromise, which would send the Tram on the original route up Chandler's Way, cut through the park, and close Wells Way to traffic - thus having only one major 'cut' through the park. The long awaited public consultation ended in January 2007 and TfL haven't revealed results of the preferred route (the latest promise of August won't happen and the new promise is October-ish).

To the parks south sits other historical and modern day landmarks including the birthplace of Robert Browning (Cottage Green, now gone) and his childhood home (Southampton Way, now gone but marked with a blue plaque). St Georges' Church is still a Camberwell icon, though now flats. The new church is nearby on Coleman Road. Buster of Great Train Robbery fame lived on Rainbow Street and one of the most environmentally friendly houses in the UK is easily spotted when you see the windmill on top.

So the old Libary and baths sit in a lovely bit of South London quite rich in history, replete in broken promises and delays, but quite high on the agenda for positive change. Just recently Burgess Park played host to a number of festivals celebrating among others Asian, African and South American cultures. The Carnaval del Pueblo continues to receive the most publicity and was deserved high praise. The best part is most of the festivals list the event as 'Burgess Park in Camberwell'. While Walworth can claim technical rights, and Peckham can claim as much of its borders as anyone else, history and that wonderful 'Borough of Camberwell' etching are on the side of those who claim Burgess Park as a jewel in Camberwell's faded but elegant past, and a big part of its promising future.

UPDATE: A survey re: Burgess Park is underway, sponsored by groups looking to manage the Community Trust. Take the survey.

You couldn't make it up...

2007-08-03T11:06:00.000+01:00

Southwark has attained special police powers during August to crack down on nuisance caused by streetdrinking, kids gathered up to no good, etc. The two orders (among other areas) include Camberwell Green and Peckham. It gets really funny (sad?) when you put the two maps together (blue shaded areas included) and note the area squeezed between not included in the orders.

Message to anti-social groups of drinkers and kids: if you are squeezed out of Central Camberwell or Peckham, please come to areas on and around Southampton Way! We're open for business!

343: Destination, rubbish

2007-07-30T16:02:00.000+01:00

Following months, even years of begging, we finally secured a meeting between one of our star neighbours, GLA Representative Val Shawcross and a TfL representative. Subject: improving the 343. After that meeting, Val sent letters throughout the neighbourhood to canvass views. TfL also agreed to conduct an onboard survey to gather views within six weeks after that meeting. They have missed their deadline and with school holidays, we certainly need to wait to get the real picture.

In the meantime, Val Shawcross crafted the following letter to TfL:

Dear Andrew

343 Bus

I was grateful for your time in meeting me recently to discuss the performance and problems of the 343 bus route.

As you will remember from our meeting with a local resident representative, there are particular complaints about the service around Southampton Way because it is the sole service which runs close to their home. Being unable to easily access other routes they are particularly affected by overcrowding on the service.

As a consequence of the intensity of complaints about overcrowding I undertook to carry out a house to house survey in the streets around Southampton Way – although I appreciate that the bus serves a much longer route. I have also now spoken with the ward Councilors who are ALL also very anxious to see some improvement on this service.

The survey
I wrote to nearly 500 homes in the area immediately around Southampton way. 96 residents responded to the 343 bus survey which was sent as a direct mail to 484 houses on Southampton Way and the roads leading off Southampton Way. This is a 20% response rate.

96 % of responders want more buses serving the 343 bus route. (2% said no, 2% were unsure).

On a daily basis 36.8% said they were unable to get on a 343 bus because of overcrowding. 31.6% found this sometimes to be the case and 27.4% said this happened two or three times a week. Only 4.2% said that they had never found the bus to be overcrowded.

When on the bus, most people found that on a daily basis they would have to stand - 38.5%.

Most people identified the morning and evening rush hours as the busiest times.

Passengers made many heartfelt comments on the survey forms to support their accounts. Most focus on the overcrowding but you can see from those selected below that other stress points emerge – children’s behaviour, driver training and the general management of the route.

I have reported some of these below and would be grateful if you could consider these wider, quality of journey issues when carrying out your passenger loading study later in the year. It is quite probable that the pressures of passenger numbers and demand are adding to the difficulties faced by the drivers to the extent that they are behaving in a way indicative of the stress which they face.

Passenger Quotes

Mostly they come in twos and even three, four and five together. I get on at Wells Way and often have to wait for 2 or 3 buses as they are already full! Often I count 30 people standing!
They are already getting full when they reach Southampton Way. It is not unusual for the buses to not even stop as they are so overcrowded.Another complaint I have is that the bus drivers frequently change their final destination during the journey with no warning, and so often end up having to change buses at elephant and castle to get to London Bridge.
I have often waited for 20 minutes and between 8am and 9am, which is why I've given up with the service. If the bus came every 3 - 5 mins I would be much more inclined to use public transport more often and would feel safer.
There are occasions when you wait at least 20/15 minutes and then two turn up together. This will happen two or three times a week.

I live on Rainbow Street. The 343 is, as you point out, our only bus service. It's frustrating to have to change at Elephant & Castle to get to somewhere as close as Waterloo, plus Aldwych, Holborn and Tottenham Court Road, areas to which I travel frequently , as there's no direct bus to any of these places. Camberwell Green is served by several, and Elephant & Castle by more still: 1, 68, 168, 171, 188. […] Finally, and perhaps most pressingly, from Cottage Green there is no bus to any of the supermarkets around the area. I walk to Tesco or Ada on Old Kent Road, or walk to Camberwell Green to get a bus to Sainsbury's at Denmark Hill. Obviously a taxi back is the only option. I think the solution to this is not to increase the frequency of the 343, but to instead provide a bus route that serves these places I've mentioned. It shouldn't be beyond the bounds of possibility to run a bus from here to Waterloo and to at least one supermarket in the area. One possibility would be rerouting the 171 to follow the 343 between Elephant and Peckham, which would provide the direct links to Waterloo, Aldwych and Holborn, and a direct service to New Cross . Another would be to run a bus from Old Kent Road (Tesco) along St George's Way and Wells Way, Southampton Way, Peckham Road, Camberwell ChurchStreet, Camberwell Green and (ideally) on to Denmark hill (Sainsbury's).

I am convinced that the number of school children that use the route to get to school is really causing problems. Whenever I get on the bus the top deck is 50-75% majority filled with kids.

The attitude of the drivers in general is quite appalling. There are a few nice helpful ones but most of them are rude, uninterested in your perfectly reasonable question, drive badly (fast, stopping suddenly) and have been known to miss stops (perhaps they are relief drivers and don't know the route, they are overworked and are tired, they are listening to music or are on their mobile phone). […] I don't know if the drivers get a
really bad deal but they seem to hate their job!! It is a disgrace and a good job that most of the 343 route is not by tourists.

Three of the 343 can arrive together or you can wait in the most extreme case for one hour. No timetable in my opinion is followed.

I have noticed that the drivers of the 343 are often quite abrupt drivers. Lots of speeding, dangerous breaking. I witnessed people falling over and hurting themselves. A gentler approach would be nice.

Due to redevelopment in that area maybe another bus route from Commercial Way via Southampton Way and Wells Way would be much more effective and give us a choice/ other option to use the number of people in north Peckham has increased but number of buses or frequency has not.

Ha! I often wait half an hour for a bus I can get on - the most frequently they tend to come in the morning is every 15 mins - but you can't get on it. Also whenever leaving Elephant and Castle as is always a lot of people waiting for the 343 and there is a mad rush for the bus, which often results in pushing.

I have now opted to travel with my car.

I think the bus service in London is very good, there seems to be plenty of buses and how they maneuvered the narrow streets and speed along quickly is remarkable.·
It doesn't go where many people want to go! […] there is no bus link to anywhere west of London Bridge. We need a bus that links directly to the West End.

The 343 service is an absolute disgrace. For people reliant entirely on one bus service the 343 is just not good enough. The people of Peckham are always angry and most of that anger I lay squarely at the door of the 343 service. Peckham has undergone massive redevelopment with new housing being erected seemingly every week. There has obviously been a huge increase in the number of residents in the area yet the 343 continues to operate the same frequency of bus service.

Why change drivers at Newington Causeway as opposed to London Bridge where they start/ terminate.

Even before I leave the house I start worrying about whether or not the bus will arrive and get me to Elephant & Castle early enough to catch other buses to get me into work on time.

I believe very strongly that this route need additional buses adding into the schedules, particularly at peak hours. It is a popular and useful route but it has a particular value to the Southampton way area. I would be grateful if you could let me know how you plan to respond to these concerns and what are the findings of your own passenger numbers study.

Yours sincerely
Valerie Shawcross AM
Labour Assembly Member for Lambeth & Southwark

Bricklayers tries again

2007-07-23T16:59:00.000+01:00

Hexagon Housing Association is submitting a new set of plans for the abandoned Bricklayers Arms pub at 123-125 Southampton Way. The last set of plans were rejected, planners cited 'unacceptable height' and 'loss of commercial space' (the plans are for housing only, no commercial) as reasons for the rejection.

Recall, plans for redevelopment that called for a restaurant and housing on the upper floors were approved, but the developer sold the property and did not follow through.

The new plans still do not provide commercial space but reduce the number of flats from 13 to 11. It seems not to include a reduction in height, but that is difficult to tell.

Here are the proposed views from the front, rear and from above looking down at the ground floor/back shared gardens:

If you would like large pdf's of the complete set of plans, please be in touch via forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk

To register your views, you should write to Southwark Planning citing plans 06-AP-2280: RESUBMISSION, 123-125 Southampton Way SE5. The address is Chiltern House, Portland Street, London SE17 2ES. You may email at planning.enquiries@southwark.gov.uk

You may also contact Hexagon with any questions/comments. The contact is Dawn Gordon: DGordon@hexagon.org.uk

You can also click on 'comments' and share your views with others if you wish.

A picture is worth...

2007-06-15T14:32:00.000+01:00

Fed up with a continuous stream of 'customers' (products on offer come in small bags) visiting the corner of Southampton Way and Wells Way, as well as the number of cars parked on the pavement and people sitting around drinking, smoking pot and shouting (sometimes fighting) well into the night, I armed myself with a camera. I don't advise it, one of them spotted me and wasn't happy. It was a bit frightening.

There are a few issues here. One, the cars parking on the pavement has gone on too long. Sometimes you can harldy walk amid what feels like a used car lot. TfL and the Southwark's Highway Dept say there is no problem. Besides, if cars don't block the right of way (the narrow footpath), they blame other departments or insist it is up to the private businesses. Coral betting shop claims they have no rights to stop it. They also claim no one drinks on their property. Hexagon Housing Association, which owns the abandoned Bricklayer's Arms, claims they inspect the site weekly and have 'found no instances of cars parking on the pavement'.

The photos show differently. Clearly one of the five cars snapped is on the footpath. Clearly there are cars parked in front of the Bricklayer's Arms. Clearly there are (count them) five men sitting INSIDE the window of Coral drinking.

There is also the issue of 117 Southampton Way - an unlicensed takeaway. Often there are people drinking inside and just outside the shop. It is really the 'hub' of activity on the corner. Licensing have been told repeatedly about the issue but it only gets worse.

In the last few days, Street Wardens have promised to step up patrols and the Action Team (a joint effort to target hot spots) has promised to get involved. Also, Councillor Ian Wingfield has asked and been told the parking issue will be looked at more closely.

I am aware this is the newest of many 'hot spots' along Southampton Way that make many feel unsafe. I include contacts should you have more information on this or similar situations.

David Johnson: Environment & Housing/Action team

David.Johnson3@southwark.gov.uk

John Wirth: Camberwell Community Wardens:

john.wirth@southwark.gov.uk

Ian Wingfield: Camberwell Community Councillor:

ian.wingfield@southwark.gov.uk

A hopeful 2007

2007-01-05T15:36:00.000Z

The image above (you can enlarge by clicking on it) represents the many projects on and around Southampton Way already completed, well underway or in the early planning stages. Sadly, there is no plan for pulling them altogether, which would take little time and money and could see regeneration happen without huge investment (in fact the investment is already occurring).

To read more about the plans in the works, click through here. Views on the individual applications can be sent to Southwark Planning - assuming the deadline hasn't passed. Our collective views gathered through the online survey (now closed) have been sent.

To receive a copy of the survey results, a copy of the short presentation sent to various bodies calling for a regeneration plan, or to add your email address to receive regular updates, email forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk

Community Councillors have promised each of the individual items will be brought before them for a final decision, which will allow us to input in an open forum before any decision is reached. Also, the CC has promised to pursue getting an update on the seemingly stalled Elmington Estate regeneration project at an upcoming meeting. To ensure you hear all the news, sign up to receive the email updates.

Season's Greetings

2006-12-15T08:25:00.000Z

Our good neighbour living on Southampton Way had a bit of fun with a real photo (enhanced slightly with a few fonts) and designed this card to send to the fine folks at Southwark Council who've broken their promises regarding the property at 184-188 Southampton Way. As you'll know, squatters took over this Council-owned property (which has been sitting an abandoned eyesore for years) and have since made it even worse than before. They were going to be out 'by the end of October' but now we're told 'maybe late January'. Plans to secure it, clear it and redevelop it are also promised but no doubt delayed.

**URGENT UPDATE** Please click through to read an extensive update on a number of projects in for planning - projects we've been pressing hard on. You can now also take a survey from this page - please let your views be known.

As always, email me to receive our updates, pass along questions/information. Have a lovely holiday season and next year holds promise for even more progress.

forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk

We are where we are

2006-09-20T17:25:00.002+01:00

Our petition and survey results have been submitted and we've received replies from Valerie Shawcross, TfL and Camberwell Community Council.

The news is not encouraging, particularly in the short-term. The opportunities for more medium and longer-term solutions are vague and offer few assurances. However, we've certainly made our case known and our voices heard.

A lot more information has been sent (and is sent regularly) via email. If you are not receiving the updates and would like to, please email me @ forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you all so very much for your interest and support. I will continue to send email updates on various issues as they arise.

Well done!

2006-08-22T17:13:00.000+01:00

If this is your first visit to the blog, please read the original post by clicking here Also, if you want to receive email updates on what is happening around the community, join the e-mailing list by contacting forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk

Our petition and survey drives have ended: 332 signatures and 88 responses to the online survey. All results, comments and signatures (along with blog comments on the original 'audit' post) have now been sent to nearly 30 individuals including key Councillors, TfL, Mayor Ken Livingstone, our MP and GLA representative. Thank you to all who participated - especially those of you who canvassed. We await numerous replies.

Mark your calendars now for the next Camberwell Community Council meeting on Tuesday 19 September: 7pm at Town Hall (Corner of Havil and Peckham Road). Chairman Ian Wingfield has promised to update us on his meeting with Chairman of the Southwark Council Nick Stanton re: a cross-party group to consider our neighbourhood for regeneration. After our agenda item, we will meet in the Town Hall reception to talk about what we do next.

Result

2006-06-26T21:24:00.000+01:00

The Monday night, 26 June deputation to the Camberwell Community Council was well received with appreciated applause from the audience and promises of support across the Council. Chairman Ian Wingfield suggested a two-pronged approach going forward.

One, he would like our group to meet with Stan Dubeck, Area Renewal Manager for Camberwell Renewal. Stan believes there are some ‘quick wins’ in terms of specific sites in the area, as well as starting a ‘longer term’ process of rolling out a master plan for regeneration across the whole of Camberwell (including us).

Two, Chairman Wingfield (who has signed our petition) promises to meet with Chairman of the Southwark Council Nick Stanton, to raise our issues and try to forge a non-political alliance to address our neighbourhood as a regeneration project. He promises to report back at the Community Council’s September meeting.

I think our 270 signatures merely scratch the surface – but am not sure if we have the energy to keep collecting in advance of attracting wider Council attention in the Autumn. I’ll be guided by your suggestions. If some of you are willing to collect to finish off the exercise, be in touch: forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk

I’ll keep you updated on any progress going forward. Thanks for all of your help. If this is your first visit to the blog, please read the next post for more information and take the Residents Survey - a link is along the right-hand side.

Going to the Council...

2006-06-14T10:59:00.000+01:00

We’ve collected more than 200 signatures for our petition and a number of people are still canvassing. You can read the full petition below in the next post. If you want to sign the petition or can help collect signatures, please email me at forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk

Also, we've been given a slot on the agenda at the next Camberwell Community Council meeting: 7pm Monday 26 June at the Camberwell Leisure Centre. I will present the survey findings, blog comments and petition to Councillors. However, we may continue collecting signatures before presenting the petition to a wider group of elected officials. Please come along to the open meeting to show your support.

If this is your first visit to the blog, please click here to read the original post. Then, please join some 70 others and take the Residents Survey (link on the right-hand side).

The full petition (with further clarification)

2006-06-14T10:31:00.000+01:00

We the undersigned residents living around the community served by the Southampton Way business district, respectfully request our local Councillors and the wider Southwark Council:

Support existing, legitimate businesses while pushing to attract a wider variety of shops that reflect the growing, changing demands from residents;
Support our diverse community by creating a safer, greener, cleaner shopping/living district for all who live and work here;
Recognise that existing transport is inadequate

We accept our responsibilities as residents and pledge to work with you and help wherever we can. From you, we make the following specific requests:

Request 1: Appoint a professional team within the council to carry out a time-certain project to explore how Government, residents and existing renewal organisations can recognise long-term, sustainable regeneration along Southampton Way and adjoining neighbourhoods. A number of residents are willing to help. We ask that the study specifically (though not exclusively) consider:

The state of existing projects and how we can ensure they are completed quickly and with residents’ approval
The planning rationale for the block of houses and businesses from 83-113 Southampton Way; Ensuring the recent renovations have planning permission and helping residents there to create a more unified frontage in keeping with best practice urban design principles
The possibility of joint public/private/residents groups working together (e.g. Galliard Developers, Southwark College, Camberwell Renewal, Bellendon (Peckham), Unite)
The options for derelict sites (149, 184-188, 121-123)
How to use existing council and police powers to reduce street drinking, street dumping and illegal street parking
How to work with existing environmental initiatives to create a cleaner, greener street
How grants and other funding opportunities could fund upgrading shop fronts, as well as looking at the general urban design of Southampton Way
Re-visiting the traffic flow around the greater area to account for population changes and the potential unintended, negative consequences of the last traffic-calming project

Request 2: Take firm action to redevelop abandoned properties:

121-123 (Bricklayer’s Arms) – We are aware that the property has been sold several times and now is owned by Hexagon Housing Association. We welcome affordable housing options to our area and ask that you push along their plans without delay
149 – We are aware of the long history for development and feel the council has not brought enough pressure to bear in redeveloping this site
184-188 – The council failed to develop its own site and has now lost planning permission. This is disgraceful. The council should lead the way by developing its own site, which has sat empty and neglected for too many years
As in all planning matters, we look forward to full community consultation to ensure the final redevelopment plans have fully considered all views from those living and working in the neighbourhood before they are approved

Request 3: Create a safer, greener and cleaner Southampton Way:

Provide visible community police patrols more often
Clarify the licensing of all businesses along Southampton Way (particularly those selling and serving alcohol) to ensure they do not promote street drinkers hanging about outside their premises
Rectify the street dumping situation whereby people dump trash along the street as a matter of routine knowing that it will be collected eventually and they will face no penalty
Crack down on those who park on the pavement along the street
Re-visit the methods and scheduling for regular street sweeping and cleaning
Plant more trees and similar vegetation along the Way

Request 4: Actively promote the area to potential businesses to attract a wider variety of shops:

Use existing business development avenues to showcase the growing demand for private businesses
Consider regeneration schemes that provide tax-incentives and similar to attract both private businesses, as well as co-operative schemes that would allow local SME’s to gain entrance to the marketplace

Request 5: Push for the Cross River Tram to open within five years along route that respects our local communities:

The latest unexplained, 10-year delay is unacceptable
Local groups working for Burgess Park and Peckham Town Centre have proposed suitable alternative routes
Our wider area has suffered numerous broken promises from Transport for London dating back to the early 1900’s – we are tired of being forgotten and continuously pushed to the back of the queue
Politicians have promised to resolve poor-service issues with the 343 bus for more than five years, yet the service has only worsened

It's a planning wish list

2006-05-27T14:44:00.000+01:00

With so many of the sites we've lobbied hard to change now moving forward, I paid a visit to the planning office - camera in tow - and can now show you what's proposed for some key sites. In all cases, please take a little time to feed in your views to the suggested contacts. We've seen the fruits of speaking out loudly.

123-125 Southampton Way (Bricklayer's Arms pub)

This disused pub has sat empty for a few years and now Hexagon Housing Association have submitted plans to demolish it and build 13 flats (the existing permission was for a restaurant/bar on the ground floor, but no more). The back gardens will be private to tenants and the design is for four floors to replace the existing three. On file is a study into 'reduced sunlight' for adjoining areas - it appears to say it will be minimal, save one groundfloor window to the rear of a Rainbow Street home. Here's a couple of drawings of the proposed new structure.

Note the top floor, which is new, though it does slope downward toward the back. It seems to not be terribly higher that the existing structure by taking advantage of dead loft space. Still it is higher. Also, note the front ground floor flats have semi-private courtyard gardens. Hexagon have been terribly unresponsive to our complaints that currently groups gather outside their site (and beside it), park their cars on the pavement and street drink. I do hope to the extent design, security and presence can help improve the situation, they will. I plan to ask what plans they have toward those ends.

The back garden - a longtime favourite of many who used to frequent the pub - is split into three: two private garden spaces for the two ground floor flats, and one larger 'communal' garden (for those living there, not the rest of us).

To make your views known on this development, quote ref: 06-AP-2280. You can email planning.applications@southwark.gov.uk

More information at the end of the post on how you can (and we plan to) make our views known.

149 Southampton Way

This abandoned house (35 years since it was lived in, though used for storage up till 20 years ago) here has been our longstanding image of degeneration. New plans for four 'luxury flats' (not my words) 3 one bedroom and 1 2 bedroom, are about to be decided (22 Dec 2006). The Council dropped the ball on getting this moving for years but finally issued compulsory purchased in June 2006 - the owner has until Dec 2007 to do something or face losing it. It remains unclear if getting planning permission will satisfy the compulsory purchase order. I hope not. The site should be 'reasonably' on its way to redevelopment (or even completed) before the pressure is lifted, in my opinion. We're hoping this matter is not decided by the officer (he says he will) and is referred to Community Council. Here's the plans with impression views from the front on Southampton Way, and the side (where there will be a new extension into the overgrown garden) from Bonsor Street.

149 Southampton Way is planning application ref 06-AP-1823. If recommended for approval, we can press local Councillors to request it comes to Community Council before final approval is granted. This could help us ensure they owner is 'forced' into finally doing what he says and doesn't sit on it for another three years. Why not email our local Councillors if you're keen? Details at the bottom.

4 Havil Street - Unite Phase 2

Unite Phase 1 brought 120 student units to Harris Street and now they want to build more - just like the first lot, that would stretch around Havil Street and Southampton Way (including a ground floor retail space on Southampton Way, which they've said would ideally be a nice coffee shop.

Here are various views from the plans: 100 more units (with balconies in some) - all (mostly art) students who do bring a fantastic buzz to the whole of our area.

The bottom picture (above) is the vew from Southampton Way, you'll note how it sits beside the existing Chinese takeaway, Crusty Loaf and Costcutters. Below is a artist impression of how it would look from Harris Street on the other side.

Planning reference number for 4 Havil Street is 06-AP-1302. Consultation has ended - we asked planners to please re-consider (they were about to reject) and they are now working with Unite to find a workable solution. We hope to have a ruling we're all happy with soon.

The slight issue here has been the students now living in Phase 1 have had issues with crime. We've made helping them via security and education a priority with our Safer Neighbourhood Team. Students are one of the unique bits of Camberwell worth fighting for.

14 Coleman Road - St Georges Tavern

Following a defeat, St Georges Tavern is trying again for demolishing buildings to the side/rear (where the garage is in photo opposite) and doing an extension. This time, it appears the plans are simply to build another terraced house on Coleman Road - not hostel accomodation. However, it is unclear what they plan to do with the house: live in it, sell it, rent it - or use it for short-term hostel accomodation. The plans themselves don't look controversial (or bad), but what they plan to do with it is the sticking point.

The consultation is open and the planning reference is 06-AP-2241. Below are some drawings to help give you context.

Elmington Estate

We're hearing that Elmington's re-development has stalled with Phase 1 because the cash has run out. Rumours are homes slated for demolition and rebuild have been told they'll simply get a coat of paint and have to make it for a few more years. Two planning applications are in, one for the much-promised community centre that was demolished and never rebuilt (artist impression in the photo), and the second is for Phase 2B of housing.

It seems outrageous to hear Southwark promote what WILL happen in the next 10 years for Aylesbury when they've never finished what IS happening in Elmington. They started a massive regeneration project and abandoned it leaving a number of housing units in the estate in very poor condition (and empty shells standing idle behind huge fences. No wonder you never, ever read about Elmington in the Council's regeneration glossy magazines.

Elim Pentecostal Church - Benhill Road

The church meets in an pre-war, Presbyterian Church Hall (the larger church was destroyed in the war) on Benhill Road and needs larger premises. They are financially sound and want to bring together their existing congregations for the area (they currently meet in various buildings in South London). They've identified an industrial site at 165 Southampton Way, which has sat empty for about three years. It will work well for them but the Planning Dept has said they would probably deny permission - as its zoned industrial.

The church rang me to see if we might consider supporting helping them override the denial. They plan to offer community services all week including computer classes, art classes, music, drama, etc. for kids. I have to say that despite not sharing their religious views, I'm inclined to want to help them - isn't it better to have them in the empty building than have it sit idle for another few years? They've not submitted their application, but I will let you know when they do. For now, I'm keen to hear your views. And I'm keen to find records (photos?) of the old Presbyterian Church that once stood on that site (now post-war Council housing). Anyone?

And finally - how to help

Overall, out petition and survey results, as well as hard work at various meetings by many of you, has been quite successful. We're now at a stage where a lot is in the works and we need to continue to keep up the pressure and influence the decisions made.

The best thing you can do is stay informed and make your views known - even if they differ from mine or other neighbours. We simply need to demonstrate that we really do love it 'round here and just want to see things improve, not de-generate.

Contact local Councillors, who are on our side. Contact Paul Evans, Head of Southwark Regeneration and make your views known paul.evans@southwark.gov.uk

If the deadline has not passed, contact planning for each of the applications. The more views the better.

Supply and Demand

2006-05-27T14:42:00.000+01:00

Most of you (86%) say Southampton Way is your closest shopping district, while the other 14% find it equally close or a viable option. 89% do shop on Southampton Way – 39% shop ‘quite often’, 25% ‘often’ and the remaining 25% ‘not very often’. Only 11% don’t shop along the strip at all. Further in the survey, all of you report you could be lured to shop or shop more often on Southampton Way.

At present, for your other ‘local shopping’, 41% walk farther away, 21% drive and 14% take public transport. One quarter of you clicked ‘other’ and your individual replies can be seen in the comments (click on the 'comments' icon below). Clearly, a message is emerging that with some work, we could reduce a bit of congestion and demonstrate demand for more shop variety.

What keeps you away

2006-05-27T14:41:00.000+01:00

The reason(s) many of you don’t shop or shop more often on Southampton Way include:

83% find a lack of variety of shops
63% find the street is poorly maintained and dingy
49% never find what I need at the existing food-related shops and drive farther afield
43% feel unsafe on the street
43% are disheartened by the number of abandoned structures
20% are put off by street drinkers

The specific comments on reasons are published individually in the comment section.

What you want

2006-05-27T14:39:00.000+01:00

The improvement(s) that would lure you to shop (or shop more) along Southampton Way include:

92% More variety of shops
86% General cleaning and renovation of the street
81% A major retail grocer
78% Redeveloping abandoned sites
75% Cafes/ coffee shops
64% More ‘green’ (landscaping)
61% Restaurants
56% Bars
56% Retail shops
47% Specialty shops
44% Greater presence of street patrols
22% CCTV

Specific comments are listed individually in the comments section.

Whose job is it anyway?

2006-05-27T14:37:00.000+01:00

The group(s) you believe are best placed to push for change:

33% A combination of the Camberwell Community Council, Southwark Council, a Citizens Action Group and Private Enterprise
28% Southwark Council

14% A citizens action group
6% Private enterprise
3% Camberwell Community Council

17% believe otherwise and your specific recommendations/comments are listed individually in the comments section for this post.

Take heart

2006-05-27T14:34:00.000+01:00

A heartening 72% of you are encouraged by what you’ve read on the blog – but do believe groups need to push harder (50% want residents to push harder and 22% want the Council to push harder).

11% aren’t terribly hopeful – 8% are discouraged and doubt anyone will do anything while 3% are neither encouraged nor discouraged, but think Southampton Way is what it is and there isn’t anything we can do about it.

17% of you felt differently to the choices provided and your comments are posted individually in the comments section for this post.

Any more for any more?

2006-05-27T14:12:00.000+01:00

So what are your general thoughts about the present state and future development of Southampton Way? Many of you added some excellent comments. They are posted individually in the comments section of this post.

Welcome to my blog

2006-05-23T09:19:00.000+01:00

A blog is simply an online 'diary' where each new entry appears at the top and you as a reader can comment (note: your comments will be seen by all who visit). You may also email me information/ views/ questions privately at forgotten_camberwell@yahoo.co.uk. Where you see information underlined, you can click on it to visit other websites and find more information.

This blog is to inform and perhaps inspire residents living around Southampton Way, SE5/SE15/SE17. You should first read the main information by clicking here, then participate by reading other posts and having your say by clicking on the 'comments' icon after each entry.

Also, if you live in the area described please take the survey. You'll find a permanent link along the right-hand side. The more views we get the better sense we'll have of what the community wants.

Enjoy!

Southampton Way

2006-05-19T13:07:00.000+01:00

This was Southampton Way circa 1904 - a working class spillover from Camberwell Green. Parts of it survived war bombings, but certain stretches and neighbourhoods all around it were not so lucky.

Today it is the symbol of a forgotten corner of Camberwell - a commercial street poorly serving a large community that hugs the Camberwell/Peckham border.

Standing in approximately the same spot more than 100 years later, you'll find quite a mix: thriving businesses and empty shells - newly refurbished and long neglected homes. Promising, significant change for this area is already underway, but two things still need to happen. The Council need to gently nudge on a few projects and help provide better infrastructure, and those of us living around here need to stand up and help attract, then support new businesses and housing projects to join those already here.

There have been steps taken recently to study this 'forgotten corner' of Camberwell. A group of local residents approached the Camberwell Community Council asking that something be done. The smaller council recommended they approach the wider Southwark Council, as the task would require more resources than they could offer. Meeting minutes from Southwark Council show the group did go to Southwark Council and was deputised in late 2005 to investigate the project and report back. However, having spoken to a member of the group and having called the Council Development Officer for Camberwell, it appears the project is moving slowly or not at all.

And so to maybe help move things along, I took up this project to map, research and find answers to what was already happening. Information is powerful. What will happen with the information below is still uncertain. Hopefully it will inspire and stir a small core group to realise quick, positive action.

The strip along Southampton Way this blog is concerned with is shown on the map in orange. I believe regenerating this one strip is key to helping the wider area - specifically the 'triangle' formed to the north by Wells Way and Coleman Road. It will also help the already regenerating areas to the south (Brunswick Park) and the east (new developments stretching up to Burgess Park), and the renewing Elmington Estate to the west.

In fact, we'll start to the west where a massive project recently demolished four eyesores formerly known as Elmington Estate towers and replaced them with modern, low-rise housing. You can see the impressive results that have brought back a sense of pride back to East Camberwell, which is ranked in the top 5% of the most impoverished communities in the UK. Sadly, there is much work to be done and the project appears to have hit some financial overruns and delays.

83 - 113 Southampton Way

Just across the road from the end of the new Elmington Estate, is perhaps the most vexing part of this strip of Southampton Way. It appears to have once been a nice row of Victorian houses complete with large gardens to the rear. Over time, they converted to shops but today appear to be converting back to (mostly badly done) residences. 83 is the Cottage Fish Bar, which appears to have recently closed down. From there, stands a row of converted house - to shop - back to house properties. Some done nicely, others are shocking. Number 101 is one of the three similar businesses along the strip - the Turk Kahvesi. Google tells us this is a Turkish Coffee Bar, but it appears they are private members' clubs for playing pool, cards and having a drink.

Number 105 used to be Sophar Thai Restaurant. Number 109-111 has been plastered over and scaffolding has been out front for a very long time. At the end of the row sits The Flying Dutchman Pub - technically at 156 Wells Way - a good ol' local pub with a late licence at the weekend where karaoke seems to be the big draw. At this point, Wells Way intersects from the north.

117 - 135 Southampton Way

This stretch contains one of the long-running, contentious properties that is close to having a new lease on life - The Bricklayer's Arms pub. Before it, you'll find West Indian Takeaway and Coral betting shop.

The Bricklayer's Arms at 121-123 conjures fond memories for many long-time locals. In particular, they remember its nice back garden. The pub's been boarded up and in disrepair for several years. It was auctioned off, approved for demolition and new build flats, then auctioned off again. It is now owned by the Hexagon Housing Association, which is currently finalising plans to demolish it and replace it with a new, 13-flat development to provide housing for low-income families. As best I can tell, the sticking point with Southwark planners is the developers desire to replace a three-story structure with a four-story one. It is interesting to read the minutes from meetings with the previous owners and to view an artist rendering of what they had planned to build. We're still waiting to see what Hexagon will do. A representative with Hexagon promises it will be 'very nice' and in 'keeping with the area', and that residents housed there will 'eventually' be offered the right to buy.

Beyond the disused pub, you'll find empty commercial space up for let (which used to house the local Post Office until it moved across to Costcutters), the Heritage Unisex Salon, Camberwell (Halal) Butchers, and the 24-hour Presco Food and Wine (which made news twice in recent years for health violations and an armed robbery resulting in a shooting). All of these have flats above. At this point, Rainbow Street intersects from the North.

150 - 160 Southampton Way

Across the street on the even numbered side of the street, Southwark College offers a well-maintained campus. Amid its modern building, stands an almost hidden treasure. The small building contains a sign showing that it once housed The School Board for London Southampton Street Schools. It is a beautiful gem almost lost among the traffic of the busy intersection.

Next door is the Costcutter, which now houses the local Post Office, which used to be across the street and was at least once threatened with closure but has so far survived.

One of the best bits of the strip is next door - The Crusty Loaf Bakery. He's been here many years and turns out a good loaf. Next door is Happy Valley Chinese Takeaway - a lifesaver when the cupboards are empty and the sun has set.

Beside and behind this section of Southampton Way are some very interesting developments that will have an impact on the strip and the wider area. Behind Southwark College on Harris Street, the crane has been a fixture for many weeks. Unite is building a 123-bed student housing complex, which should create a new market for the types of businesses that could be lured to the area. They pride themselves on a track record of seeing communities where they locate realise 'tangible improvements'. They bought the land from the same person who owns the land beside their site, which sits on Southampton Way and Havil Street (technically no 4 Havil Street). At present, it is a small bungalow with high fencing around it and a nice bit of green sticking out of the top. Unite had hoped to purchase it too and include it in their development but were unsuccessful. They believe the owner is now working with a developer and will build some sort of housing association units or a student hostel. No plans have been submitted to Southwark Planning as yet.

137-149 Southampton Way

Crossing back to the north of the street, we find a relatively well-maintained section of period terraced houses. Tunde Barbers is on the corner and does a thriving business. At 139, a discreet plague notes The Sacred Heart Community where nuns reside. A few of the houses along the row appear to have undergone recent renovations. But at the end of this stretch sits perhaps the longest running headache of the area - number 149.

This burned out, three-story house has been sitting boarded up and in shambles for decades. The council did start compulsory purchase proceedings against the owner after having no luck tracking him down for four years (1997-2001). Eventually they found him and he agreed to submit plans for renovation, which failed to win planning approval. The architect for the project says now the owner's son is involved and is keen to move along in demolishing the existing structure and replacing it with a four-story building with a rear extension that will house four luxury flats. Like the Bricklayer's Arms, the fight seems to be over elevation - that is, can they replace a three-story structure with a four-story one. The architect says he's given planners what they asked for and is now waiting for an answer. At this point, Bonsor street intersects from the north.

180 - 194 Southampton Way

Cross to the south side of the street, we first find Beacon House - Southwark owned council housing. It is in pretty good nick, but could benefit from a little bit of a clean and a bit more green. It includes a corner lot stretching around to Havil Street and with a little gardening elbow grease; it would help the whole street.

Beside it stands the final disused, boarded up lot on our stretch: 184-188 Southampton Row. Once the London and Kent Auction Rooms sold off many fine antiques in these premises. Somehow the land fell into Southwark Council hands and in 2002, the council was granted planning permission to develop 15 flats with communal gardens and seven parking spaces. According the notes re: planning for neighbouring 190, that planning permission expired in 2006. There is another council document outlining the Housing Investment Programme's budget that refers to this address as a 'Hostel - new build'. A Council representative believes this is meant to become a new-build family hostel funded by selling the existing single men hostel located a few doors down at 2 Sedgmor Place (it will be sold off, demolished and re-developed). The plans appear to be in the very early stages.

Interestingly, beside these abandoned lots are three Grade II listed buildings. The first at 190, is today the Nicki Day Nursery. It opened in 2004 with temporary change of use planning permission for a one-year trial. Neighbours were concerned about the potential noise and additional traffic. In 2005, the council approved permanent change-of-use status and allowed them expand from 12 to 20 kids and from a maximum of age two to four.

The neighbours at 192 and 194 live in the two most beautiful single family homes on the street and perhaps in the area. Shrouded in lush green and stately fencing, the homes appear to have maintained their grandeur.

Beside them (technically no. 2 Sedgmor Place) is a hostel for single men. The building looks a bit like a 1970's prefabricated structure. Most striking, it is absent the slightest hint of anything green. As noted, early-stage plans call for this to be sold off, demolished and redeveloped for housing, while a replacement 'family' hostel will be built at 184-188 Southampton Way. Again, the plans are in early stages. Here the road intersects with Sedgmor Place then picks up with more council estates. Our stroll on the south side ends here and we cross back to the north.

151 - 181 Southampton Way

This portion of the block can be seen clearly in the 1904 photo and reveals some of the most interesting history of the street. If you love poetry or cycling, you of all people should stop and pay homage. Sadly, it is also one of the more rundown and bleak streches, so you'll be forgiven for quickly walking past.

151 -161 are houses showing signs of coming back to life. One recently sold for £300,000 and the owner's appear to be renovating it to a high standard. Next starts a series of shops including Take Two Hair Salon, Samkal (West Indian fish and chips), Genie's Carpet Sales, Wash & Dry Laundramat, Vinebins Off Licence, two (2) Turk Kahvesi's (see no. 101), Ozis Cafe, Dallas Chicken and Southampton Way Dry Cleaners.

Famous poet Robert Browning was born in Camberwell and lived in a cottage adjacent to number 179 (Dallas Chicken). A plaque marks the spot. Number 177 (Turk member's club) and number 181 (Dry Cleaners) both housed workshops and showrooms for famous bicycle frame designers and manufacturers Arthur S Gilliot, Harry Carrington and Jim Collier during the mid to late 1900's. At this point, Coleman Road intersects from the north.

183 - Peckham Grove Intersection

Tom Bradford's Dairy sits at the corner (another convenience shop) followed by three houses converted into three flats each. These are nice conversions (one formerly a modeling agency), as they are build up against the first of several massive new builds to the east and North all the way up to Burgess Park. This is part of the bigger renewal of the former industrial areas of North Peckham. The building on Southampton Way is part of a new impressive housing development by Galliard developers and contains several retail spaces for let that front Southampton Way. A representative for Galliard says they are spacious sites and they are working with a number of national retailers hoping to attract good businesses to the area. A representative with the community group deputised for the 'forgotten' project suggested something along the lines of a Tesco Metro or Sainsbury's Local would be their dream. I think the information in this blog demonstrates the demand for such a local supermarket is already here and growing.

Two other important factors

Understanding regeneration of this strip of Southampton Way and the wider area in all directions needs to include at least two other projects: the long-delayed Cross River Tram, and something spotted on a website for The Well (a Baptist Church slightly north of Southampton Way on Wells Way).

The Cross-River Tram should snake its way through the east and north of Southampton Way with stops along Chandler's Way and Burgess Park (whether cutting through the park or along Wells Way remains undecided). Such transport offering travel to and from Central London with such ease will no doubt make the area more accessible and more desirable for property owners. The Trams has been delayed several times already with the latest date set for a 2016 opening. Peckham is now fighting the depot in their town centre and the Friends of Burgess Park have been calling for an alternative route for several years. Those issues remained undecided but a consultation is promised for autumn 2006. The council called for TfL to put a priority on the Tram - just before the last local elections. Whether that was a serious call or a pre-election gimmick remains to be seen.

Wells Way Baptist Church is also planning a makeover. Their website details a project to demolish the old Chaple on Cottage Green, which runs off Southampton Way on its western side. It will replace it with a new modern design. No planning permission has been requested and a church member reports they are still fundraising.