LondonMix

Fair enough but you do acknowledge that ED "not being the chosen land" is different from it actually being in decline? I get some people are annoyed that some residents think the area is great and enjoy living here but swinging to the opposite extreme makes no sense.

??? So you aren't asking if ED is in decline but if Western countries are in decline and therefore ED as part of the West is declining... That people are asserting people aren't reporting crimes defies belief. Look at the burglary stats which are down. Do you really believe people aren't reporting break-ins? Even for insurance purposes? This thread is just so odd. That some shops won't succeed (like Green and Blue) is just how business goes. Running a business is a risk and there are no guarantees. The closure of any given shop would only be significant if vacancy wsd increasing which its not. The fact that multiple shops (willing to pay higher and higher rents) are opening up, that vacancy is low and that crime stats are down means nothing to people who are convinced emotionally that ED is a disaster. There is no scope for debate when evidence and logic are ignored.

Have you looked at the crime statistics? Those are actually down. The fact people are whinging (more) doesn't mean that things are deteriorating... Also, issues with cleaning relates to budget cuts (as has already been discussed on the EDF) and is not specifically related to ED.

Love Bob too and DJK talks good sense as usual. Moos Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > *Bob* Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Does this mean there aren't enough working > class > > plebs to keep Iceland open? > > > > > > How helpful is this sort of language, do you > > reckon? > > I love Bob

Thanks Renata. If you could provide the answers before the January 4th deadline for registering support for Harris that would be greatly appreciated. I actually like the idea of expanding the two schools you mention, assuming it doesn't compromise the schools' facilities significantly. However, without an explanation of how your alternative can be funded, if the funds are secured (and if not what conditions need to be met) and the timeline in which your plan can be accomplished, I have no way of assessing if its in any way achievable / realistic. I am sure you can understand this, as these questions are at the heart of the viability of any proposal, not an afterthought. Thanks, LM Renata Hamvas Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > OK, Chillaxed, I just wanted to assure residents > that some sensible forward planning for primary > places has gone on. > > Londonmix, I'll have answers for you early in the > new year. > > Over and out > > Renata

Agree Bob, the contempt goes both ways and is always rediculous.

I like our high street and use it. My in-laws (believe it or not) prefer supermarkets and still like to pick out their own produce. Not everyone is happy for others to select their meat and veg for them as is the case if you buy these online. I was simply agreeing with Chillaxed that chains serve their purpose for certain people. Its really not that complicated. *Bob* Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > LondonMix Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Agree Chillaxed. My in-laws, who are on a very > > tight budget, pretty much rely on the chains a > lot > > of these posters show so much contempt for to > make > > ends meet. Also, they are old enough to > remember > > the days when you had to buy everything > separately > > from small shops. They aren't so nostalgic > about > > its charm. > > I find this an odd argument. > > If you love supermarkets, every single one will > deliver (most of them for free) to your doorstep. > You've never had it so good - take your pick! And > there are very few good reasons left these days > why anyone one budget - and interested in staying > on it - couldn't get internetted-up with very > little money. Perhaps five or ten years ago, but > not now. Or take the short trip to anyone of the > giant supermarkets nearby. > > Conversely, if you hate trudging around small > shops on account of the above, why should you even > care what's in them? Or who goes in them? Or how > much things cost in them?

Agree Chillaxed. My in-laws, who are on a very tight budget, pretty much rely on the chains a lot of these posters show so much contempt for to make ends meet. Also, they are old enough to remember the days when you had to buy everything separately from small shops. They aren't so nostalgic about its charm. They find it painfully slow. I love our independent shops but I recognise them for what they are: a luxury.

Also, one of the main thing limiting chains' ability to move into ED is the small size of the existing retail units and very limited ability to expand them. Do you think McDonalds needs ED to be rich to open in here? A lot of chains- Primark, KFC, McDs are already in Rye Lane as the retail shop footprints are more appropriate.

Didn't Jacks want to go for a different model altogether? Isn't another indie shop replacing Grace and Favour (run by Lorraine)? Green and Blue just wasn't popular enough with all the good offerings around here food-wise as much as I liked them. Its sad whenever any business closes but I think the idea that Lordship Lane is in decline or that chains are taking over isn't at all true. M&S taking over Iceland is one chain replacing another. I can't think of any shop that has closed (and many have over the last 5 years) that was replaced by a large chain rather than what most people on here consider "indie shops". In fact, the people behind the Palmerston and the Bishop pubs have only expanded in the area... Lordship Lane carpets is opening a new branch in Blackheath. Lush is looking for a permanent place in ED, the new jewellery shop has opened on Upland Road, Mother Inc has opened a second store in East Dulwich up on Forest Hill Road etc etc etc

Renata, when you say LA schools with less pupils will receive less money, this is because schools are funded per pupil correct? I can see if there was no overcrowding issues, creating a new school would force existing schools to run below capacity as they might potentially become undersubscribed, which might cause problems. However, if there is overcrowding like in ED, surely this won't be a problem. The money existing schools would lose would only relate to the per pupil funding they are receiving for educating the extra students they take on via bulge classes, which if a new school were created, the bulge classes would no longer be necessary. If there is more to it than that, it would be great if you could elaborate. Also, if you could explain where the funding for expanding Langbourne and Dulwich Hamlet will come from and what needs to happen to secure that funding including a timeline, that would be greatly appreciated. I think its important we understand the various options (including feasibility) in detail. Thanks, LM

The meet-ups at the What's On Section are your best bet. The crowd is relatively young and you will meet people closer to your age. Just give it a go.

What does the Garden Centre have to do with M&S?

I get what you are saying Otta and agree that US gun laws are weak on a number of fronts. I just am surprised there is so little thought being paid to the victims in this thread from the outset. There appeared to be a lot more grief being expressed regarding the very tragic suicide committed by the nurse who put through the DJ hoax call. I understand some people may be desensitized to such a thing but I can't imagine ever not finding the murder of small children deeply disturbing and tragically moving. I'm losing it just writing this so I think I just have to refrain from reading this thread as I find the entire event just so upsetting. Perhaps its because its my own country it affects me more deeply or its the fact the children were so very young.

Exactly. Sometimes I wonder what people are on about when they say things like that. Anyway, agree with Mamora Man. I think the application is being viewed positively by the planning dept but insinuations of corruption are really uncalled for. Zebedee Tring Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Natashay Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Whilst I love the 'dine in for two' offers I > > really think this will have a negative affect > on > > our village feel and the local shops will > suffer > > You mean the "village feel" that one experiences > when one enters Iceland with its olde worlde > charm?

God this is too horrific to discuss so blithely. I burst into tears when I heard last night. Please remember that 18 primary school age children have just been murdered. I honestly can't bear to even to imagine what those families are going through.

You can't object to a shop signing a lease. The development of a shop has already been approved for an A-1 retailer presumably as James has already discussed the possibility of Waitrose taking the unit.

Thanks so much. So the permanent expansion of any existing school (free academy or otherwise) can be funded from this 800 million central government pot? Renata, I've looked up "Basic Need funding" and it appears that Southwarks 2012-2013 allocation of the 800m national budget is between 5m and 9m. Can you confirm what the amount is and if you think Southwark is prepared to use this to deal with the schools issue in the ED / Nunhead / Peckham area where the need is acute? http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/schoolscapital/a00200794/schools-capital-allocations-for-2012-13

I thought so. Truthfully, almost all the schools here academically outperform national standards for their intake and cater for students of all academic ability. The qualitative stuff is so subjective. One person's friendly environment is another persons suffocating ethos. As its so personal, when it comes to that side of things there is nothing that can replace going to visit the school and see if it feels like the right fit. The good news is, no school has a broad reputation for lacking the things you are looking for so you should be okay. Good luck!

What is most important to you in a school?

Oh, that is too bad. I agree they really didn't get the food right though which is critical. With so much choice around here, you kind of have to nail everything.

James, you say free schools cost Southwark nothing. Is this because the costs are paid by central government funding? If this is so, under the expansion plans, locals pay while under the free school option it?s a cost borne by the entire country? Does Southwark have the money to fund the expansion or would the trade-off be cutting local services? What options are there for funding the expansion of existing schools (as the primaries Renata mentioned are academies, can they apply for central gov't funding for the expansion potentially)? Do either of the cllrs have any analysis on how the schools that could potentially be expanded would be affected? What facilities / land would be used for the additional class rooms etc? Thanks, LM

I've read the emails and the planning statement and I don't understand it the way you do (or see pages upon pages of marketing information). The application is by the freeholder (not M&S) and many elements of it have nothing to do with the store -- like increasing the residential units (this is just the freeholder trying to make money). From what I understand, it appears the freeholder is trying to justify the need for the extension (rather than M&S as a store) as they need to have some justification for extending the premises. Also, if they are customizing the premises to one particular tenant's needs as the rationale, they also need to illustrate that tenant is committed to continued use (hence the email from M&S), particularly if other retailers could use the premise as is. As Robin has advised before, submitting objections saying: "I don't like M&S" are useless as they cannot be considered as such. The focus should be on any shortcomings with the redevelopment plan such as the ones you've highlighted. They have addressed some of the original concerns but from my quick reading some remain unaddressed and it would be good to have these dealt with before approval (which appears very likely) is granted.

Where did you see that? The stuff on marketability of premises relates to justifying the need to convert the office space into residential space: the proof the freeholder submitted last time showing the office space couldn't be rented was weak so they asked for more substantive proof as well as cost benefit analysis. I have not read everything in depth so can you point me to where in the docs you've seen that requirement as that would be very surprising?

Yes, footprint of about 150 sqft with a spiral stair case and plumbing for an ensuite might be as much as that. Not sure it will pay for itself at that price. It would create a massive master suite with ensuite and wardrobe / dressing area. However, I'm not sure how much more I would pay for a house with this architectural feature. Still its about nesting not always making an sound investment!