News

Posted on

Petition for CCTV in Manor House Gardens to combat anti-social behaviour

A Lee resident has launched a petition to get CCTV installed in Manor House Gardens, after a series of ugly incidents and anti-social behaviour there.

Ali Billenness said she had acted after the mugging of two girls and an attempted break-in in Taunton Road. In addition, vandals have torn down the netting in the basketball court,

“I have noticed a real change in the park in recent months. Fewer children are coming to the park, no one is playing football and more, young children no longer scoot around the MUGA and friends with dogs have reported being intimidated and harassed. It is really saddening to see and I think the CCTV would help,” said Ali.

You can find the petition here.

Ali added: “It has really been escalating in recent months and sadly getting more serious. It would be so sad if we get the wonderful public art installations and then they are vandalised. My children (12 and 14) don’t even want to go into the park now and most of their friends feel the same way sadly.

“The local police have been called out to the park more than 30 times in the past three months alone. So, there’s an argument that not having any deterrent or evidence-gathering tool is also costing money (just on a different budget).”

Lime bikes dumped in the Quaggy

The Friends of Manor House Gardens supported the idea of a petition. “CCTV has been agreed in principle by Glendale, Lewisham Council and the police.
“The scoping work has been done. I think costs have escalated due to the need to install a post for the camera which requires a cherry picker to move into position.”

Posted on

Community Garden – new session dates

Calling all gardeners. The Lee Community Garden has issued a series of new dates for sessions over the summer. They are all Sundays: June 15th, June 29th, July 13th, July 27th, August 10th and August 24th.

The Community Garden is now part of the Lee Manor Society and it would be great if supporters could go along to help.

If you would like to know more, or get in touch, visit the Community Garden page.

Posted on

London Square say Leegate Tower won’t cause wind problems

London Square says there should be no concerns about the wind effects of the proposed tower block, which may be as high as 18 storeys.

The developers were responding to a comment posted on this website by a Lee resident Tony Branton. Mr Branton, a retired architect, asked:

“Given the heights and close proximity of buildings in this high-density development, have modelling studies, including wind tunnel and fluid dynamics testing, been undertaken to determine the micro climate that will be created in high wind conditions? External high winds passing through the completed development and in between the buildings will be accelerated. This can create difficult conditions at street level due to the ‘downdraught effect’ and ‘channelling effect’ the new buildings are likely to create in windy conditions.

The higher the buildings are the worse this wind acceleration will be. The new residential tower will increase these effects particularly given its exposed location at the north west corner of the site development. Lee residents who have experienced accelerated high winds at street level at that corner, with the 8 storey existing office tower currently located there, should be aware that these are likely to increase. The more so with the latest proposal to increase the height of the residential tower to 18 storeys.

Predicted climate change is expected to lead to increased wind speeds in London, particularly during winter. The UK Climate Projections report (UKCP18) suggests that winter wind speeds will increase in the second half of the 21st century, and the frequency of winter storms will also increase. This is well within the expected lifespan of the proposed development.”

London Square has subsequently confirmed that the original planning submission was supported by a Wind Microclimate Assessment, which was included as part of the original Environmental Statement. The report, which you can read in full here, says:

“Following the introduction of the proposed development, wind conditions are predicted to meet the criteria for pedestrian safety and to be suitable, in terms of comfort, for existing and proposed uses.”

London Square says it will provide an updated report when it applies to Lewisham Council to increase the height of the tower to 18 storeys.

Posted on

The Lee Manor Society Annual Spring Tree Walk

A dozen Lee residents joined the Lee Manor Society’s Spring Tree Walk on a sweltering hot Saturday, May 31.

The walk, led by Society members Charles Batchelor and David Ford, started in Old Road, where residents have planted a range of new varieties including several magnolias and snow bells. It moved on into Manor House Gardens which has a rich mix of native and non-native varieties including, among the latter, swamp cypress (southern United States), cider gum (Tasmania) and holm oak (Mediterranean coast).

Highlight of the walk was the tulip tree (pictured), another North American transfer, whose yellow-green flowers are often obscured by leaves but which was clearly in full bloom. An autumn walk is planned for later in the year.

Liriodendron or tulip tree