The latest planning applications and decisions are now available here on the website. It includes the latest plans for Buckden Close, which have attracted opposition from local residents.
Latest planning applications and decisions
How often Leegate was bombed during WWII
The Leegate site, which is currently awaiting redevelopment, was pounded with German bombs during World War II, according to a fascinating report submitted to Lewisham Council.
It says there were 46 High Explosive bomb strikes within a 300-metre radius of the site.
The report, by the unexploded ordnance specialists Brimstone, adds “Two incendiary bomb ‘showers’ were also recorded within a 300m radius of the Site; one of these is partially recorded over the eastern extent of the Site.
“Furthermore, LCC bomb damage records structural clearance to a structure on Eltham Road in the north of the Site, with further structures in the south-western extent recorded as sustaining ‘general blast damage- not structural.’ The closest substantial damage within LCC mapping is approximately 20m west of the Site, where structures were ‘damaged beyond repair’”
The report is included in an application recently lodged by London Square to discharge a condition attached to the original planning consent for Leegate concerning possible UXBs – unexploded bombs.
The original condition said that “No demolition of structural elements of the existing buildings shall be carried out until an Unexploded Ordnance Threat Assessment has been completed, and (in the event that the Threat Assessment makes recommendations for further surveys and/or measures to protect the safety of the public, of future occupiers of the land and of workers on the site) then structural demolition shall be carried out fully in accordance with the recommendations of the Assessment(s).”
London Square is arguing that the risk of unexploded ordnance being found on the site is low to moderate and has proposed several mitigation measures if the requirement is dropped.
Brimstone’s report which you can read in full here is a treasure-trove for students of the history of Lee, and includes several wartime aerial photographs and maps of Leegate.
Don’t miss it: The Manor House Gardens Festival on June 21st
This article has been updated.
It’s coming soon! The annual and much-anticipated Manor House Gardens Festival is on Saturday June 21st, starting at noon and lasting all day.
It is a free, family-friendly festival of culture, celebrating the incredible range of local arts and cultural talent in the Lee area.
As usual, there will be a main Stage for bands and performances, a children’s’ funfair, the Community Village with stalls run by local community groups, Food Stalls, a Bar and displays of Arts & Crafts.
The event is run entirely by volunteers and the money raised pays for the Festival with any surplus going to the Friends of Manor House Gardens whose volunteers keep the park looking sparkling.
Among the volunteers who work tirelessly in Manor House Gardens are members of the Lee Green Women’s Institute. They will be out in force at the Festival, showing off their talent for making delicious cakes! They tell us there will be a wide range to buy on the day, at excellent prices. Make sure you get one before they all sell out!
Here is the confirmed rundown so far:
1. 12:00–12:40 DANCING W/IZZY DANCE
2. 12:50–13:20 Mazaika (Duo)
3. 13:30–14:20 L C N DANCING/SINGING
4. 14:30–15:00 JukeVox Voices CHOIR
5. 15:10–15:40 MAHOGANY SOULZ BAND
6. 15:50–16:20 Soul Journey (David & Karen) DUO
7. 16:30–17:00 STEEDTONE
8. 17:10–17:40 LONDON SOUL CHOIR
9. 17:50–18:20 LAURENCE O ’N THE BLISTERED MIRRORS BAND
10. 18:30–19:00 unconfirmed
11. 19:10–19:45+ FILTER FOUR BAND (TALLIS)
Parking news: Mayor and Cabinet will decide on new CPZs soon
Lee Manor Society has learned that no final decision has been made about the Sustainable Streets proposal for all-day Controlled Parking Zones in parts of Lee.
A recent meeting of the Mayor and Cabinet agreed “for the Executive Director of Place to use their delegated powers to consider any objections received during statutory consultation on the permanent traffic order and make any applicable decision as a result.”
This led to fears that a decision had already been made to implement the proposed parking measures in several roads east of Burnt Ash Road.
Now, however, a source has told the Lee Manor Society that responses to the consultation earlier this year are still being considered and no decisions have been finalised.
This may result in the original plan for 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday Controlled Parking Zones being replaced with less draconian measures.
The Lee Manor Society believes that while measures are needed to prevent commuters leaving their cars all day in streets near Lee station, full-fat CPZs operating from 9 am to 5 am are unnecessary. The Society argues that two hour bans from 1000 to noon in other parts of the ward have worked very well.