first mate

James, You seem to be saying there is nothing you can do sbout either development. I find that really hard to believe. It just feels like mild murmurs of disapproval are being made by you, while you actually keep a careful distance. Have you visited the back of the M&S site in the last week? If juggernauts are unable to turn what then? Won't the developer have lied in submitted plans? Surely you can see what havoc this would create and what a massive imposition it would be on the street if you have juggernauts reversing out of the back entrance by the hour? It is bad enough if they come out head first. But reversing would double the time necessary to move the vehicles. The street would be blocked to cars, and the path to pedestrians. Seriously, I cannot believe you are being so laissez faire about this. Assuming you have emailed the Council officers about Upland/CP development, could you kindly post their reply, where they say they are "happy" with the current setup? Thanks for the heads up about the substation.

James, Any comment/answer to the post above about the M&S site- extremely large footprint, where will delivery juggernauts turn?

James, I have another developer question, this time on the old Iceland/ M&S site. The footprint of the build looks to be much bigger than proposed. I honestly cannot see where there will be turning room for the many huge vehicles expected to deliver throughout the day. It looks to me like they will have to go in and then reverse out. Could you please ask abouthis and confirm? If you swing by the site at the back entrance you can clearly see where foundations are being laid.

I have posted onto James thread asking about this. I also wnat to know how Cosmur have been able to build virtually onto the pavement. I understand this was not in the plans.

James a number of us are wondering why one of the developers (MYN) currently blocking up swathes of path and street on Upland/Crystal Palace rd, states in its literature that Southwark Building Control is one of its partners? One would think taxpayer funded Council Building Control should be independent and not so close to private development firms. Is this why the developers, in this case, are able to play fast and loose with public property, laying claim to whole sections of public path and highway for their own use, with not a peep from you, from Charlie Smith or anyone on the Council? Additionally, how is it that Cosmur have been allowed to build right into the path, in a manner that is different from presented plans. What is going on? Could you please comment?

How can Southwark Building Control be a partner with a private developer? Surely building control has to be separate/independent? How can a Council Body, funded( presumably?) by taxpayer money seem to have such a close relationship with private company? Think this is a question for Councillor James Barber and Councillor Charlie Smith.

Some kind of M&S, it is said. Above the retail store the developers plan to build two floors of office spaces and then add another, new level, raising the overall build to four stories and here they plan two penthouses. The developers want to do this, despite in earlier plans being quite clear that there is no call for office space but a great demand for affordable flats. Note they already had permission to build 8 flats on the floors they are now calling office space. But this way, the penthouse, extra floor route,they make the money with less outlay. They then plan to avoid social housing rules by eventually making the offices into flats. Of course this will drag the build out but hey, who cares so long as community minded developers and the retail stores like M&S who work with them to game the planning system, have their pockets full. Oh and they have also recently put in to build a substation there too.

Pretty outrageous this got through planning,past our local Councillors and anyone else meant to have some kind of oversight. I am guessing that the pavement will be moved out more to the road otherwise people literally fall out of their front door onto the path. Was this setup in the orginal plans?

James, Could you post in here the emails where Councillors say they are "happy" for the road to be intermittantly blocked on a regular basis, and large swathes of oath, both sides, to be blocked almost permanently? Are Councillors also "happy" about the real health and safety risks the developers pose to road and path users as well as the impact on residents and shop owners?

James, Thank you for pursuing this. There really is danger of setting a precedent as other building companies are likley to follow the example of Cosmur and see that they get away with using the street as a building site extension, with no fear of consequences. The dangers to all road and path users are clear.

Thanks for that James. I take it that since you did not really answer my questions that you did not make any objections vis a vis the knock on effects on surrounding wards. I am not clear about your answer on hours for CPZ. You seemed to indicate that 12-2pm is not your preferred option on the grounds that enforcement would be cheaper....in theory? So again, what would your preferred CPZ hours be. I think it is useful for us to be clear now because I am pretty sure that is what you will be wanting around here too and given this is your ward I gues you'll put up more of a fight to get it implemented too. BTW all your arguments hang on the premise that CPZ really works well in favour of residents. At the last major debate on this forum many people disagreed. I suspect it is rather like your vision for ED to be changed into a Dutch style cycling utopia- nice in theory but the reality is somewhat different.

Possibly properties around N Dulwich are larger and have off street parking, therefore CPZ does not directly affect householders in same way that it would the smaller properties in ED and therefore residents of larger properties are not inclined to get so involved. The suspicion, despite all you say, is that controls breed yet more controls and that the result is a cash cow, not a real solution. Just for the record, you say in the above that you think "they" chose the wrong option in 12-2 for the parking restrictions; what for you would have been the right option? Did you state your view as to the right option at the time? Did you raise the issue of the knock on effect re parking restrictions for surrounding wards, once controls are in place? In fairness James, you have not stated here what you said about parking restrictions at the CC other thansome comments about yellow lines. Sorry, I do think many of us feel you are pro CPZ by the back door.

It is all part of the cycling agenda/ vision.

Abe, you sound as though you know a little more about what is going on, therefore I would ask James Barber if he will be objecting in any way, shape or form? If not, why not?

Edhistory, I believe, but stand to be corrected, that professional dog wlakers have to be registered with the Council. It is in the interests of the council, as well as dogs and their owners, to support well run dog walking services. On another note, I wonder if the many fitness inctructors we see on the Rye and that are also paid for those services are registered?

Where there is a group of dogs that know each other and are regularly walked together, there is always the risk that they might gang up on any dog that is not perceived as part of their group, this is known as 'packing'. The 'intruder' can be challenged, chased or even attacked. Young males, in their hormonal prime, between the ages of around 6- 18 months, when testosterone is at its highest, can be 'targeted' by older males. It is a way to put the young competitor in his place. It would be my advice if you are walking a single dog to avoid large groups of dogs. The dynamics can be complex and unpredictable. I have seen a group of dogs walked by a dog walker turn on another within the group, it can happen but obviously a good dog walker understands and monitors the pack dynamics and should take action accordingly.

I cannot remember James, dud you formally object to any of these new parking measures on the basis that they would create pressure on ED?

Let's hope that the use of the term 'backland' is a 'deliberate' error that allows the developer to then appeal because we know that when there is an appeal Southwark backs down.

If urgent appts really are only for babiea and young children what on earth happens to the elderly, disabled and chronically ill? Or is the expectation that they all get on bikes and set off for the Lister? If true it is alarming that only one sector of our demographic is being catered for, yet most have paid NI etc..

James, Thanks for update on M&S site re sub station and glad you agree this is really not on. Await news. In regard to Crystal Palace/ Upland, have you managed to visit it yet? Seriously, I think you would be shocked and really feel this needs some serious intervention by the Council or it sends a clear message that developers can do as they please. Imagine if the Harris/ police station build starts to block Lordship Lane in the same way.

Ah yes, apologies, my mistake. I remember visiting the stables years ago and there were some terriers whizzing around- obviously fine with the horses but I am sure the stable owners would oblige if the situation was explained.

Hi James, What news on the M&S substation application; the missed committe hearing and the missing letters to residents? What news too on the extremely dangerous Crystal Palace/Upland junction? You say you have reported this to Council Officers, what did they say and what actions will they take. Will shopholders be compensated and will the developer be fined for persistently obstructing the pavement and blocking lines of sight at a junction? Will the developer fund repair of the pavements after work is finished. When will the pavement and roads be erturned to normal? There must surely be a schedule of works?

The developes are treating this junction as an extension of their property. These big developers are clearly too powerful, Councillors seem too scared to take them on or be publicly critical and I am not sure the Council care- after all who knows what goes on behind closed doors. This development is not being properly monitored, if it was how could pictures like this emerge and no action taken? Imagine if ordinary residents took over the public streets and paths and blocked them for months on end?

Fly, I do agree that if dog owners can see a horse approaching they should have the courtesy to put it in a lead unless they know for sure the dog will not bark at or chase the horse. This can unsettle the horse and that, of course, might affect the rider. Some puppy owners do have the foresight to arrange a visit to a stable when the pup is young, so they get the opportunity to learn a bit about horses. However, for others, the very first time they see a horse is in the park with inevitable results. That said, Fly, I am sure you do not expect and did not mean to imply all dogs should be banned from the park.