Sydenham Town Forum

simon wrote:So are you going to make any representation to the planning committee about your views on the application?

Yes!
but: in doing so, I won't claim that my views are the "voice of the community"

My post was rather abrupt, for which I apologise. This should remain a civil space and certainly shouldn't make individuals feel criticised. However, once again, here's another recent council decision, which affects us all, which the Sydenham Society objected to on aesthetic grounds. I dont recall t...

It would take one minute to post their proposed submissions on this forum.

Or they could update people on the cases they plan to intervene in via their weekly email.

So why not?

If SydSoc want to campaign for more GPs and school places, tied to increase in housing stock, then I’m sure they’ll find enthusiastic support. But I don’t think that an argument that we should fail to build the houses we need because we are failing to provide the services we need works, at all. In e...

Well we have a live test case here: The proposed new terraces on 154-158 Sydenham Road, on the derelict builders' site opposite the KwikFit. We know the Syd Soc has taken an interest before and continues to do so. We know that local opinion is mixed - between people who welcome the proposed family h...

i think it's a good idea. Ultimately, it's a private society of volunteers doing what they think best for our community, and often do great things. I dont want anyone to feel bullied or hounded. They can't be forced to change their approach if they dont want to. But: we can't have a situation where ...

At the risk of another side-swipe, I cannot imagine why anyone would think the Sydenham Society would object to an empty retail warehouse on the Bell Green out of town park being re-occupied, or why the council would either for that matter. The reason people think things like that - however unjustl...

I had wondered who was responsible for those! Hopefully they'll stay. It would be nice to see the whole building smartened up, including the boarded windows

The latest papers, including the noise assessment, have been published. I'm not sure if they're taking the process entirely seriously. "There maybe some Ommmmm’ing but this is the extent of the noise." http://planning.lewisham.gov.uk/online-applications/files/4AC6321E4F189410C013281F18ABCC...

Or to be more blunt - noise and traffic grounds are invariable used as a way for people to block developments they don’t like; so it’s annoying but not surprising if they start becoming an obstacle to projects that people do want, due to council caution.

I strongly support the application and hope it gets approved soon - but if they didn’t submit the right forms for the process then I don’t think the council has much choice otherwise. Imagine the backlash - or indeed grounds for challenge - if the council tried to approve housing or the Nando’s with...

Plans for the frontage look really good - thanks for flagging.

Does anyone know if they plan to tidy up the rest of the building - clear up the graffiti etc? It would be nice to see the rest of the building brought into use too.

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According to the Lewisham council website they do have a recognised role within planning, if I'm right in believing they are recognised as an Amenity Society. When would an application be referred to planning committee? When three or more objections or petitions are received, or if an objection is r...

That's really disappointing to hear. I and others have repeatedly asked on this forum for Sydenham Soc to be more open about their planning submissions but in particular for this site. No answer. Why? If you can't build some modest terraced houses on a derelict haulage yard opposite a Kwik Fit on a ...

Is it just me or are there a lot of empty shops on the high street at the moment? The charity shop next to Zanara court seems to have gone, and there’s another shop empty next to bottle cave. Then further up the estate agents next to Sainsbury’s is still shuttered, and the whole of the Cobbs corner ...

Given that yoga is pretty popular in the area, this change of use seems reasonable enough. I'm not sure what count as legitimate planning grounds for objecting, or if there need to be some kind of legitimate planning grounds for supporting either - that's where 'understanding planning' comes in. I ...

Thanks for the update! fingers crossed.

Ultimately it's the Society's own decision. But i do struggle to accept the formal status the council grants them within the planning process, and the informal clout they have, with so much secrecy. The Syd Soc publishes nothing about its submissions in its newsletter or on its website. It would onl...

Goodness me Tim you make the Syd Soc sound like feudal lords - or perhaps the Cosa Nostra!

If it needs planning permission I'm sure 50 people would be willing to put their names to an email to Lewisham planning to show there's real community backing