Kids Korner - To be demolished?

[biccy]

An application lodged last November with the planning department has now been registered.

232 HITHER GREEN LANE, HITHER GREEN, LONDON SE13 6RT

The construction of a part 3 to 4 storey building on site 232 Hither Green Lane SE13, to provide 4 one bedroom, 4 two bedroom and 1 three bedroom self-contained flats with a commercial unit (use classes A1, A2 and B1) on the ground floor with provision of bin stores and 9 bicycle, 2 motor bike and 6 car parking spaces.

[max]

Gobsmacking. With the Meridien South handsome gate just by that is one of the best little spots of this area, it's an historic building and it stands on a parade of shops that need help to raise up, this proposal is indecent and needs forceful opposition.

[Bruce]

I completely agree Max. This is a disgrace and sums up the problem that Hither Green suffers from. A reliable source tells me that many of the empty shops on Hither Green Lane are owned by people that have no interest in the area or community. They are simply kept in the hope that they can get planning to become flats or that they can be sold at a large profit when property values rise. The result of this behavior is a nice area starved of amenities. The anger at the proposed demolition of The Spotted Cow proved that we can stop these developers. Do you or anyone else no how we can object to this proposal?

[john65]

I am so against this. The character of this area will be destroyed by greedy developers. Surely this building can be put to a more imaginative use!

[JamesParkEnd]

Is this something that the Hither Green Community Association could call a special meeting to discuss? I'm no campaign leader, but i'd be happy to support and work for any local effort to oppose this proposal.

[Bruce]

Rather shockingly I have found out that Planning permission to demolish this has been granted. I am astounded that the council have allowed this. The good news is that the owners do not appear to be moving on it at the moment probably due to the credit crunch. Although it's not listed, this building is part of the look of the street and just by the number of hits the cinema post got it is clear that this building could be put to good use for the community. Who organized the spotted cow protest? Your services are needed again!

[Bruce]

Rather shockingly I have found out that Planning permission to demolish this has been granted. I am astounded that the council have allowed this. The good news is that the owners do not appear to be moving on it at the moment probably due to the credit crunch. Although it's not listed, this building is part of the look of the street and just by the number of hits the cinema post got it is clear that this building could be put to good use for the community. Who organized the spotted cow protest? Your services are needed again!

[max]

I understand that it has not been approved or examined yet.
Here's the relevant page:
http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/LEWIS-XS ... mkey=55418

I think we should start to oppose it immediately but to be completely meaningful a proposal and some work towards a good use for that building should start too.
It could be a cinema/cultural centre, it's perfectly located and something like that is so very missing from the area.
The Hither Green Community Association is the perfect platform to put the case forward, but it's only the legal container, we need that somebody starts and coordinates this initiative.
Let's organize a meeting with one point only in the agenda, that of thinking through the first steps for this initiative.

[clogsilk]

Great idea Max, I'll try to make a meeting if I can arrange childcare.

[Bruce]

Count me in Max.

[El]

Me too.

[max]

What about meeting there, in front of the building itself and then we move from there somewhere else to discuss it after we had this fresh look at it?
Is Sunday after lunch a good time?

[Bruce]

I can't do Sun, but if you meet up let the forum know any ideas that result.

[El]

I'm afraid I can't do Sunday either, any other dates that are good? Perhaps if finding a time to meet in person is difficult we could use the chat room.

[sjones]

Hello

I am relatively new to the area and have been looking through your site. I really like the site and the community spirit which it embodies. However, I have to say I find the general approach to development suprising and really pretty unrealistic.

It can't just be me who thinks that leaving the unused shops, the kids corner site, spotted cow etc undeveloped and derelict really brings down the area. I woud much prefer they are redeveloped to provide new homes for people who need them and generally make the area look smarter and cleaner.

It is pretty obvious that the area just cannot sustain the number of commercial/retail sites that are available. This is inevitable given the rise of internet shopping and that the area is surrounded by a wide range of varied and easily accessible shopping areas (lewisham, blackheath, greenwich, catford etc). It would be much better to have the unsustainable sites redeveloped so leaving a smaller and therefore more viable selection of local shops/services/restuarants to meet the needs of what is a nice residential area.

It is nice thought that we could have a independent cinema. But come on it is never going to be commercially viable given there is already a successful well-located one which is only a 15 min bus ride away in Greenwich.

Best wishes

SJ