Bell Green, Lower Sydenham’s Gas Holders survive planning threat

Lewisham Council’s Planning Committee rejected an application to demolish the locally Listed Bell Green Gas Holders and replace them with an Aldi supermarket on Thursday, 23rd November.

Bellingham Councillor Alan Hall said: “On balance, Lewisham Council’s Planning Committee have rejected the application to demolish the Bell Green Gas Holders.

Local residents were concerned about air quality, traffic and they were disappointed that the site had not been considered for housing.

The heritage setting of the Historic England Grade II Listed Livesey Memorial Hall and the war memorial which has its own Grade II listing here was an important consideration. The removal of the bowling green would have affected the original setting of the heritage buildings. The Gas Holders survived bombing raids in World War II and they have survived a skirmish with Planning Committee C.”

 

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Read the newsshopper article here

Read the South London Press here

Fate of Bell Green Gas Holders to be decided on Thursday 23rd November

The fate of the recently locally listed Gas Holders at Bell Green, Lower Sydenham rests with the Planning Committee meeting on Thursday 23rd November 2017 at Lewisham Council.

Members of the Committee will have to decide whether the planning officer’s recommendation to approve the planning application trumps their cabinet’s decision to locally list the gas holders on 25th October 2017

It was reported at the Cabinet meeting that Malcolm Tucker, one of the country’s leading industrial Engineering Historians and author of the substantial report for English Heritage (now Historic England) “The London Gasholders Survey”, commonly referred to by heritage
bodies has stated that the gasholders in Bell Green are of significant historic
interest due to their construction, design and architecture. His study included
a study of wrought-iron lattice guide frames. 

The Bell Green gasholders are very fine examples, of which there are very few remaining nationally of this earliest form of lattice guide frame with all except the altered example at Kennington are due to disappear.

 

“The gas holders survived bombing raids in world war two”  see this media report:

 

Councillor Alan Hall said: “Bell Green gas holders have survived bombing raids in the second world war but will they survive Lewisham Council’s planning committee next Thursday?”

 

Read the article in the Newsshopper

 

 

Questions on River Ravensbourne works

 

Following the tweet above, Lewisham Council’s Planning Department have provided the following explanation of the work on the River Ravensbourne between Catford and Catford Bridge stations.  I would like to thank the Qwaggy Waterways Action Group for drawing this to my attention.

Major work to rivers need to undertaken with care and sensitivity. Here is the reply:

 

Dear Secretary,

 

Councillor Alan Hall has highlighted to the Planning Service a query raised on the QWAG twitter page in relation to works to the River Ravensbourne adjacent to the Catford Green development by Catford Bridge Station.

We have reviewed the works and spoken with Barratt. As part of the Catford Green development, naturalisation works were secured to the western bank of the Ravensbourne where it passes through the site. These works are required to be undertaken during the current phase of the scheme. In addition, the developer has obtained consent from the Environment Agency for an outfall (150mm diameter) to the Ravensbourne in association with the surface water drainage strategy for the development. This is the specific works identified in the photo on the QWAG twitter page. The drainage works will be overlaid by the naturalisation works, which will be completed in accordance with the landscape plans approved under applications DC/13/084895 and DC/14/086232.

I trust this helps to provide clarity on the nature of the works at this stretch of the Ravensbourne.

If you have any future queries in respect of the development at Catford Green please do not hesitate to contact me. In case of my absence, or for queries in respect of other developments in the Borough, please contact the Planning Service at 02083147400 or planning@lewisham.gov.uk.

 

 

 

Cllr Alan Hall speaks at Forest Hill and Sydenham Postal Workers Gate Meeting

On Tuesday 7th November 2017  the Communication Workers Union held another day of mass activity in support of their pay and the four pillars campaign. The 89.1% and Proud Day recognises the tremendous support that members have shown to date and to ask for their continued backing of the Union’s campaign.


Forest Hill and Sydenham District Office joined in the national day of protest and held a gate meeting to provide members with an update on the dispute and to call for their continued support for the Union’s campaign for employment, income and retirement security.

The huge YES vote of CWU members is a magnificent testament to the strength of feeling amongst postal workers.
The overwhelming ballot shows that Royal Mail Group management have lost the
trust and confidence of its employees. The CWU have said that the Royal Mail Group  have created a workplace culture that we would not want our loved ones to work in and have moved from mutual interest to self interest. Bullying and pressurising people on a daily basis in the interest of profit alone is unacceptable, and any Agreement will have to address that.

Councillor Alan Hall said at the gate: “I have joined the CWU today to show support and solidarity with postal workers. I was at the High Court and the fact that  in the face of the most draconian Anti-Union laws in Western Europe, postal members have stood together sends a powerful message to Royal Mail to stop the attacks on pensions and pay. They should listen to their workforce and start negotiating seriously with the Union.”


The CWU have said: “We hope Royal Mail will use the mediation process to listen to the views of the CWU and shift its position. Whatever legal delaying tactics they deploy, the company should be in no doubt that our magnificent ballot result still stands and if needed, we will act on it.”

LEWISHAM COUNCILLORS OPPOSE CLOSURE OF GP WALK IN CENTRE

Lewisham Council’s full Overview & Scrutiny Committee supported calls to oppose the closure of the GP walk in service at the Waldron Health Centre in New Cross.

The report is here.

Councillors were concerned that the proposed closure of the open access walk in centre would put pressure on over stretched A&E Departments locally. Performance across SE London was not meeting performance targets.

Lewisham Clinical Commissioning Group said:

  • 46% said they went directly to the Walk-in Centre because didn’t think they’d be able to get an appointment at their GP practice.
  • 33% said they had contacted their GP that day but no appointments were available.
  • 5% reported they were unable to get through on the telephone to their GP practice.

The Committee heard from the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign who expressed their opposition to the proposed closure.

Lewisham Councillors were concerned that the closure of the walk in centre before improved access to GP services would leave some without vital services.

Labour Chair, Councillor Alan Hall said: “I want to see more details on how many extra GPs and nurses we are going to get to improve primary care before we agree to this closure. Our A&E Departments are under pressure now. We are concerned that this will not help that especially over the winter months.”

Lewisham Overview & Scrutiny Committee consists of all 45 Non Executive Councillors. Their reports  on this subject are here.

Future of Bell Green Gas Holders – Meeting Monday, 6th November

Lewisham Council will be hosting a community ‘market place’ meeting to inform the planning committee scheduled for 23rd November 2017 on the future of the Bell Green Gas Holders in Lower Sydenham.

The Gas Holders were Locally Listed as important structures on 25th October 2017.

The BBC News reported on the Fight to Save Bell Green’s Gas Holders recently:

 

To have your say on the the future of the Bell Green Gas Holders come to the meeting on Monday, 6th November 2017 at Lewisham Council, Civic Suite, Catford, SE6 4RU from 6pm – 8.15pm

 

Lewisham supports a Post Bank and Crown Post Offices

Lewisham Council’s full Overview & Scrutiny Committee supported calls for improving the Post Office network with a Post Office Bank in line with the recommendations of the Communications Workers Union sponsored CASS Report.

The CASS report recommends that the Post Office diversify and that the Government supports the creation of a state owned Bank. This would:

  • Give better access to finance for Small and Medium sized Enterprises
  • Improved financial inclusion
  • Align the post office with successful postal strategies around the world

This is against a backdrop of bank branch closures across the country. The poorer urban areas and rural areas are left with a basic postal service whereas the Post Office Bank could improve financial inclusion in these areas.

To see the full presentation click here: Post Bank slides

The Committee expressed concern at the closure of New Cross Gate & Sydenham Crown Post Offices asking that the Chair, Councillor Alan Hall write to the Minister directly.

Councillor Alan Hall said: “The Post Bank could be the people’s bank. It’s good for financial inclusion and good for business.”

He went on to say:

“Losing New Cross Gate and Sydenham Crown Post Offices will reduce access to a full range of services for Lewisham residents. The social and economic impact will be detrimental to our borough I will write to Minister to express our concerns.”

 

 

Mole Meade, Communications Workers Union said: “I am very grateful to Lewisham Council for their support. The CASS report outlines a vital policy to create a new network of a People’s Bank. New Cross and Sydenham Crown Post Offices would be an integral part of the new vision.”

Bellingham Assembly funds community projects

The local Bellingham Assembly held a voting event at Watergate Co-op School  for residents to decide which projects should receive a slice of £15,000 funding.

Each group set out their stall in a market place event and thirteen projects have been successful. These are:

  • Bellingham Golden Oldies – BeGO
  • Bellingham Festival
  • PYE Project – Knife Crime Prevention and Awareness
  • Linking Lives Befriending Service
  • Carols on the Green – Christmas Festival
  • Young at Heart
  • October Holiday Programme in Bellingham SEN – Youth First
  • Moremead Green Community Improvements – Litter Bins for Waterlink Park
  • Mural for Bridge at River Pool Linear Park
  • Kids Kitchen Bellingham
  • Circus workshop Bellingham Scouts – 8th Lewisham South
  • Bellingham Creative Play Park
  • Sydenham Community Library Adult Crafts – Part Funded

 

Announcing the result of the vote, Bellingham Councillor Alan Hall said: “Bellingham has a great community spirit and I am pleased that the Council can provide £15,000 this year for local projects. However, the Bellingham Assembly fund has been frozen for several years now and each year it becomes more difficult to find the money.”

The Bellingham Assembly agreed to support Lewisham Council’s bid to be London Borough of Culture

Councillor Alan Hall said: “Even in times of austerity it is important to invest in the arts and culture.”

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How to vote for Alan Hall online as the Labour candidate for Lewisham Mayor

Members of the Labour Party in Lewisham who are eligible to vote:

You can vote for Alan Hall online until Tuesday at noon.

Here’s how:

Go to:  www.ersvotes.com/lewishamlabour17

Enter you security code and select the number 1  next to Alan Hall

If you do not have your security code you can still vote. Follow the instructions and a new code will be emailed to you.

Thank you for voting in this important election to determine the future direction of the London Borough of Lewisham. Facebook-Cover-Image2-851x315px (1) August

Taking on the Tories

Dear Friends,

It is time to make sure you vote for Labour’s Mayor of Lewisham Candidate. I am asking you to vote to #ChangeLewisham .

Together, let’s fight for a more ambitious future in Lewisham.

Here are some of the issues we have been working on this week:

Royal Mail Forest Hill and Sydenham DO Alan Hall 110917Supporting Postal Workers in Sydenham and Forest Hill

On Monday, I spoke at an early morning postal workers’ ‘Gate Meeting’ in Lewisham. I was there to stand in solidarity with the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) in their crucial national dispute with Royal Mail which includes staff from Forest Hill & Sydenham areas.

For more information see: https://alanhall.org.uk/2017/09/11/royal-mail-staff-action-shows-the-people-of-lewisham-are-fighting-back/

parlamentBrexit: what are the implications for Lewisham?

This week committees on Lewisham Council will begin to look at the implications of Brexit for Lewisham and its residents.

In June, I commissioned a report looking into the outcome of the General Election and its effects in our borough. This report, called‘Conservative Party Manifesto, Conservative-DUP Agreement, Queen’s Speech and Brexit Update’ included an update on Brexit and its implications in Lewisham.

I wrote Lewisham Council’s response directly after the Brexit vote. See a report here: Lewisham Council urges Parliament to make up for leave campaign’s ‘broken promises’ by putting Brexit deal to public vote

education.jpgEducation, Forest Hill School & Lifelong Learning

This week, I was honoured that Hilary De Santos declared her support for my bid to become Labour’s Mayor of Lewisham. Hilary is a former teacher who taught at Forest Hill School for over thirty years. I would like to thank Hilary for her support and the video below.

Education is a right, not a privilege. In Lewisham, we must ensure that our schools, colleges and FE institutions provide residents with opportunities to learn grow and challenge themselves. As Mayor, I will be at the forefront of the fight for Fairer Funding for schools, and I will make lifelong learning a priority.

The NUT representative at Forest Hill School, said: “I have worked with Alan on Forest Hill School. I know he will work hard to improve schools & education in Lewisham.”

 

I have worked tirelessly throughout my time as a Councillor to deliver the truth and to protect our public services. As Mayor, I am committed to standing up for Lewisham residents. Let’s make Lewisham fairer, better and happier.

What should I do if I haven’t decided who to vote for?

You can learn a little more about Alan Hall, his record and his plans for the future by checking out this live Q&A session hosted last week by the Communication Workers’ Union.

Everyone in our Borough deserves a better future. Choose hope, experience and ambition. Vote Alan Hall for Labour’s Mayor of Lewisham.

I hope to see you soon,

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Alan Hall