Louisa

Totally agree Foxy. I have seen Rye Lane deteriorate over the last three or four decades and it is heartbreaking to see. I'm not condemning any one business here, and yes without the occupation we currently have the lane would have died a death soon after the channel tunnel fiasco in the early 1990's. However, you cannot have a major high street that lacks so many amenities with all that retail space on offer. Also, you can't just leave things as they are because it keeps a few people happy. The whole community needs serving and I think the station restoration and square goes part to achieving that, creating a pleasant environment for everyone who uses the area. I see it as a catalyst, and the rest of the lane will follow organically. A nice mix of old and new businesses, and some decent chain clobber/department stores for goodness sakes. Louisa.

I am all for preservation of Art Deco buildings, but sometimes the greater good of the area should come first. Look at the old Wembley stadium and the removal of the twin towers. The replacement building and arch is far more fit for purpose for this century and the memory of the old building lives on in the spirit of the new building. The destruction of this station arcade will open up a dark space and create more retail by exposing the hidden railway arches once more (also of architectural importance and much older than the Art Deco one some people wish to preserve). It isn't as though this is the only building from that era in the specific area, and many of the other surviving buildings (125-131 for example) will be more visible upon exit of the station and hopefully can be taken on and fully restored by someone. Louisa.

Does anyone have any updates on this please? Why does it take the council so bloody long to decide on things? Louisa.

My tuppence worth comes in the form of this 1981 classic from Kiki Dee, "Star". Probably best remembered as the theme tune to Bob Monkhouse's Opportunity Knocks. Take note of the bored popcorn eaters at 37 seconds in, behind Kiki, I do miss the 80's terribly. http://youtu.be/iKVas1Qozo4 Louisa.

I struggle to speak basic English as it is. Only when I'm in Spain does my English improve, mostly because it's the only way I can get them to understand me. Louisa.

I quite liked Scary Movie 3. He played a farmer in it I believe. These pee taking conveyor belt franchises always make me chuckle. Louisa.

M&B food is awful in my experience, and looking at the plans it looks like a hotel with additional restaurant/bar area as opposed to remaining a drinking hole first and foremost. What with Sainsbury setting up shop opposite, it looks like the village is about to be totally destroyed. What a sham. Louisa.

I agree Jeremy. I just assumed as the station square redevelopment was directly in front of it, this would/could be seen as a prime retail refurbishment target and part of the bigger plan. Seems a waste investing all that money in this new space as a "gateway" into Peckham, and having this grand old department store highly visible flaking paint and shabby looking. I personally can easily imagine H&M or Next taking this large retail spot on no problem. Louisa.

Ah LM I think we are at crossed-wires here. I was refering to the other Art Deco building sandwiched between the railway lines directly opposite the proposed station square. I believe it is currently some sort of pound shop. This was previously a C&A department store. Just wondered what the future was for this imposing building now the station square is getting the go ahead? Louisa.

LM do we know who is restoring the Art Deco building and which restaurant will be taking it on? That is a huge space with two levels of retail (being a former C&A department store). I presume the upstairs is being turned into residential? I can't find anything on the planning site about it? Louisa.

What goes through the mind of a young person who could (allegedly) punch a defenceless elderly person in the face? When I was that age I wouldn't dream of answering back to an adult let alone the unthinkable physical assault this lady endured. Absolute disgrace. I agree with KK, let these girls come face to face with the family of this elderly lady. See how brave they are then. Louisa.

Assimilation and integration are primarily (but not exclusively) associated with the strength in numbers of the host culture/community within a certain district/neighbourhood IMO. The first generation of British born children of immigrants tend to edge towards assimilation because their influences would have come from a dominant host culture surrounding them from a young age. Second, third and fourth generation British children with an ethnic minority heritage are in a large number of districts/neighbourhoods now the dominant culture due to white flight amongst other factors. The changes are apparent on many levels in a city such as our own, especially the new accent associated with the younger generation of London. Cultural influences surround people every day, from TV to the people living within close proximity to them. But cultural differences aren't necessarily a barrier to integration. I'm pretty sure a white Londoner would be just as alien to another white Briton living in the remotest corner of Cornwall, as would someone who has only very recently moved to this country. If you live next door to someone you find things in common even if it takes a while. Once you talk to people, you realise we have far more in common than we do things that make us different. Louisa.

Or in tonight's Downton finale too. YES quids I do watch class based melodramas as much as Eliza Dootlittle would do if she were 1) real and 2) alive and kicking in the 21st century! Louisa.

I've never personally heard someone say 'super excited' but it's the sort of language I'd expect in a LL boutique on a weekday afternoon (or in an independent local coffee shop). Louisa.

I'd prefer to call myself a re-generator rather than a gentrified rah. Restoring Peckham's retail reputation of years gone by. Huge amounts of retail space formerly occupied by big brand names such as Marks, BHS and C&A with the next generation of popular shops such as Next, River Island or H&M. I think on the contrary to gentrification, big brand restoration to Peckham would benefit the whole community. Unlike LL with its collection of gift and boutique niche market shops aimed at the wealthy. Louisa.

I'm still hopeful a big retailer will take on and renovate the existing Art Deco building which would be directly in front of the proposed station square on Rye Lane (former C&A years ago). H&M or a similar retail franchise would work well and be able to invest the money and time into restoring the building. Louisa.

Some of my best neighbours have been people who are part of a housing association/ council scheme. The elderly lady opposite me and her husband (both long since passed) had the most beautiful flowers and they would regularly clean paint and tidy the flat. Miss them terribly, such nice people. Louisa.

I'd have the lot down, deep cleaned and rebuilt with some decent shops again and nice open pleasant space for everyone to enjoy. Louisa.

Green waste is not the place for paint tins! You're not the first nor most likely the last person I've confronted on this issue. Louisa.

As adults we knowingly choose to use certain language, and whether it's a matter of context or not, if we know it is likely to cause offence to someone/a group of people, why would you want to do that? Some people have thick skin and don't take it personally, others are more sensitive. Just because you are thinking the person sat next to you on the bus is considerably overweight, doesn't mean you should call them fat and then justify that by saying "well I'm doing them some good, it's not healthy, someone had to say something". Louisa.

It's been dragging on way too long. Bored of it now. Either a) knock it down and build something pleasant or b) just leave it as it is. All this 'co-design' stuff and endless meetings is just layered beaureaucratic nonsense the vast majority of local people aren't interested in. Louisa.

Peckham Manor and Peckham girls school. Later to become flats (girls) and the infamous Warwick Park (boys). Now it's the Academy at Peckham I believe? Louisa.

Any particular reason you wish to know? Louisa.

I disagree miga, unintentionally she has said something which will be hurtful and damaging to a lot of people, many of whom are in the process of, or undergoing gender reassignment. Greer is an intelligent person who need not have raised this particularly sensitive issue in the way she has, knowing full well how hurtful it could be to trans people in the early stages of feeling something isn't right with their physical body. You say Greer is concerned that transgender issues are overshadowing unresolved feminist issues? What about the many males born into female bodies, and their experiences? are they still considered female by her? Louisa.

A person who undergoes gender reassignment goes through rigorous and lengthy psychological counselling to ensure it is exactly what they want. A person cannot help being born into a body which they do not feel comfortable in, and if after consideration (often traumatic and drawn out over years) they decide to physically be in a body which matches their psychological gender, who is Germaine Greer or anyone else for that matter to question them? Moreover, how offensive is it, for someone of her academic stature to publicly make the point that a trans person isn't the gender they choose? Why does she feel the need to be so offensive and patronising towards anyone who has made such a difficult and public life choice? Louisa.