Aiden Pritchard, the Project Director, has sent the Lee Manor Society these follow up answers to queries raised at the meeting.
A loud humming noise coming from the site at night.- issue resolved and to be monitored.
The periphery hoarding which had reduced the size of a walkway on the edge of the site.- London Square have reviewed the walkway and will be amending the hoarding to increase the size of the walkway. Photos will be issued when completed.
“Snow-like” particles blowing about Eltham Road. Pritchard said he was confident that there had been no leakage of asbestos during the removal process.-All asbestos was removed from the buildings prior to demolition with 4-Stage certificates issued by Spectra.
Investigate complaints about a security dog which has been barking at night. Pritchard said they would be talking to the security contractor.- Resolved.
Provide site contact numbers on the hoarding and ensure there is always a phone contact for residents to report any issues.- Complete.
Artist’s impression of the proposed homes on Blackheath station car park . Credit: John Pardey Architects
Lewisham planners have put off a decision on the controversial plans for a housing development on the car park at Blackheath station, home to the weekly Farmers’ Market.
The Council had received 1,200 objections including several from celebrities who had once lived in the area – among them the actors Jude Law and Dominic Cooper..
They particularly want a full parking survey covering peak commercial trading days, including the proposed arrangements for the 17 car park spaces to be used for short stay purposes. The Planners called for a detailed report on the operations of the Farmers’ Market, including access arrangements for emergency services on market days.
They have also demanded a survey report detailing current commercial activity in Blackheath Village and an assessment of he potential impact of the application on businesses and local economy.
A spokesperson for the Lee Manor Society said it was noteworthy that Lewisham planners seem willing to contradict their officers when there is overwhelming and orchestrated opposition to a planning application.
Some of the buildings which would be included in the Area of Special Local Character.
Chloe Ducroizet-Boitaud, the Council’s Design & Conservation Officer told the Society its response was very detailed and helpful. Many of the suggestions made by the Society will be incorporated into the proposal which goes before the Mayor and Cabinet for approval on February 25th.
If it’s approved the Council says it should “inform planning applications within the ASLC”. This would affect any plans to develop the car yard at the end of Lee High Road and buildings backing onto it on Lee Road.
Ms Ducroizet-Boitaud adds “I also want to reiterate that getting Lee Green designated as a Conservation Area remains one of our top priorities, which we will be working on once we have finished our current programme of government-funded work on existing conservation area appraisals.” Lewisham is working with Greenwich Council on this as a joint project.
Three mature London plane trees on Eltham Road have been taken down by tree surgeons to make way for the new Leegate development.
Caroline Bray posted on Facebook: “The trees have gone. Three huge London Planes that had tree preservations orders that meant nothing in the face of developer’s money. I felt sick all afternoon.”
Michael Haste, the Lee Manor Society planning expert explains: ” A Tree Protection Order is overridden by a Planning Approval Notice where it is clear that a tree or trees are required to be felled to implement an approved scheme. London Square (and Galliard) made clear that certain trees were to be felled in their applications.”
Lewisham planners agreed London Square could cut down the trees at a meeting earlier this month.
The site today without trees. Pictures: M Haste
The original planning permission applied a condition which said “No development shall commence until a Tree Protection Plan (TPP) in respect of the existing trees to be retained has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. The TPP shall follow the recommendations set out in BS 5837:2012 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations). The TPP shall also clearly indicate on a dimensioned plan superimposed on the building layout plan and in a written schedule details of the location and form of protective barriers to form a construction exclusion zone, the extent and type of ground protection measures, and any additional measures needed to protect vulnerable sections of trees and their root protection areas where construction activity cannot be fully or permanently excluded.”
Planning officers said the Council Tree Officer had confirmed London Square had submitted sufficient information to discharge the condition. However they added that London Square had “agreed to retain an existing tree on Leyland Road following officer concerns with regard to the original intention to fell.”
Aidan Pritchard, the project Director told the Public Meeting last week that several trees had protection policies already put in place on them and they had been “hoarded off “and protected. But the others would be removed by tree surgeons after the plans had been approved.
Michael Haste adds: ” A Tree Protection Plan is not a Protection Order and only applies to those trees that are to be retained. London Square have either protected by hoarding those that sit inside the construction site or have left them exposed where they sit outside of the hoarding as they are not at risk. “
