TheCoalLine

@Abe_froeman Hi, it doesn't actually require acquiring any land but rather collaborate with the land owners along the way both public and private in order to safeguard the route and maintain public access. We are working towards something that works just as well for the land owner but also the wider public and neighbourhood.

Wow! that is absolutely incredible - thank you. What a great photo - well that is was the high-level part of the route is tricky in that location.

Dear East Dulwich Forum, Thank you. The huge mobilisation you played a part in yesterday has forced a dialogue with the developer, which is a start! However ?Bluecroft Developments' will not withdraw the application so we?ll need to keep up the pressure with as many objections as possible until Saturday ? This is really important to help us navigate the minefield of planning policy and swing it to save the Coal Line ? YOUR VOICE MATTERS. At the same time we need to collectively work out what an alternative for the stable yard could look like to enable the Coal Line to go ahead at the same time as new houses. The feasibility process for the Coal Line has involved talking to thousands of residents. Housing is a big priority for Peckham and we are open to collaborating with the developers to make sure that there is a better mix on the site to include affordable. The current plans would need to be re-arrange to save the original Victorian stable block and preserve a right of way for pedestrians and cyclists. We also need to safeguard any possible future link to the Nunhead section of the park that could only be accesses from this stable yard. Finally the site has to be integrated with the six double-height Network Rail arches, together the arches and stable yard have a big potential to create new local jobs and enterprise. We?d like to see some of the yard become a public space. Basically over the coming days we?ll be working up alternatives so we can take these to our meeting with the developer on Tuesday. Let me know if any of you want to get involved in this process. We?re in touch with many local groups including Peckham Vision, Peckham Citizens and others and we will try and arrange a meeting with other groups in the coming days to get advice and work out our collective priorities and approach. We will keep you posted but if you?d like to be involved let us know. Thanks again. The PCL team. As ever the best online places for updates are twitter. @PeckhamCoalLine facebook. https://www.facebook.com/peckhamcoalline Ps to clarify the route from the feasibility study (published November 2016) is attached.

Dear Edhistory, Thanks for your input ? you have been supportive in the past and we have supported your bookshop - that is what mutual collaborative constructive community is about? You know this is a project that is about bringing different groups together around a shared ambition and something that creates more public access and greater decision making for residents. We are trying to save a historic Victorian Stable block (shared heritage for future generations) from opportunistic demolition to make a terrace of low-density luxury house complex. The developers bought this site a few months ago secretly from D+R and it never went to open sale so we could not find out about it. This was well after the Coal Line was in the public domain. I have carefully looked around the whole site and could not find the two planning posters that are supposed to be displayed. We do check the planning register through due diligence not expecting anything and this is how we found this. This whole project to create a new space in conjunction with neighbours and not in isolation ? it is run solely by volunteers who do it because of the new connections and the opportunity to learn from each other that happens through the process of meeting different communities. It is very socially rewarding and it goes some way to better understanding what?s important to those engaging collectively. In joining in the conversation you are part of that as well ? which though difficult is still valued. We are absolutely not against housing on this site ? in fact there is the opportunity to create something denser and much more affordable. The current scheme sits at 9 houses just below the threshold of 10 where they are obliged to provide affordable housing and they have to contribute less CIL. We simply want the developers to acknowledge that they have a duty to engage the neighbours. After all it is the neighbours that have made the neighbourhood they are profiting from.

Dear Peckham Coal Line supporters old and new, Its been brilliant meeting so many of you at the local summer fairs and events over the last couple of weeks and months. The Peckham Coal Line will only happen thanks to our collective enthusiasm and vision to push the project forward and now you're needed more than ever. Following a last minute planning discovery ? The Peckham Coal Line needs your help by Saturday 15th July 2017. Unfortunately we stumbled across a planning application late this evening for 39b Consort Road, SE15 2AA. This address is actually a large yard, which, if developed as proposed, would have a catastrophic effect on the future of the Peckham Coal Line. Developers know we are working towards a park and are scrambling to develop the green spaces along the route before they are protected. Unfortunately ?Bluecroft Property Development? recently got hold of a key part of the route. On the site is a fantastic old Victorian stable block. There is a cobbled yard and potential access to some amazing double-height rail arches. The developer wants to knock down the Victorian warehouse and stable buildings and build across the yard and green spaces. This is a real tragedy ? firstly the buildings should be listed because they are unique, beautiful and part of our shared heritage. Secondly it blocks off a vital part of the Peckham Coal Line route, making it near impossible for the two sides to join up ? closing off the area to all of us and gating it for a few. Finally it is a really poor use of space which could instead be a fantastic opportunity to integrate the arches, old buildings and surrounding houses to make something for everyone. Please find links and template letter here: http://www.peckhamcoalline.org/blog/urgent-the-coal-line-is-under-threat-from-developers This happens ahead of the Community Launch of the crowdfunded feasibility study as part of the Peckham Festival in September. Thanks again. The Peckham Coal Line Team.

Is it possible to change the name of a thread please? How do i change it to "The Peckham Coal Line Urban Park"? The crowdfunding completed last November so its a bit misleading now - thanks.

Hi John K and Nigello, Thanks for your input into this thread. Please note we are volunteer run and don?t check in on East Dulwich Forum as much as we would like but if you sign up to the newsletter on the website you get regular updates on there. Otherwise if that?s not for you then there is also a blog section on the site which is updated with news (www.peckhamcoalline.org). Thanks for the info about the rail line John and regarding your query about the accounts publishing - we formed as a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) (Registered Charity Number 1165247) in December 2015. We had to have a minimum of 6 months before we could file accounts so we have only just entered the period in which we could actually do that however as is normal practice we will do the first set after a year so expect to see these in December 2016. This is also be when we hope the feasibility will be published, In the meantime if you want to get involved we?d love to hear from you. The project is as much about the journey and new local social connections as it is about the physical park, this is likely to happen in small stages over time.

Hello East Dulwich, Amazing - We?ve done it! Just before the weekend we received Southwark Councils pledge of ?10000, which, with your pledges to date, means together we have reached the target. With just 5 days left and an ever growing wave of momentum we want to see just how far we can get, with more of course we can do more and stretch the scope and reach of the Coal Line further. For this reason the ?10000 pledge will be included at the last minute because if it were added now the campaign would close ? this allows those of you who still want to be part of our journey the chance to join in this movement. Together we are proving that we have the ability to transform where we live ourselves rather than it imposed by external forces ? so as we close the first chapter its not too late to join in the story. Come and meet your fellow pioneers at drinks at the Hope this Thursday from 7pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/761467337294940/ Thanks, Nick http://www.spacehive.com/peckhamcoalline

A quick update. We are now at 60% with 24 days to go. If any of you are around on Saturday afternoon please come down to Peckham where we are doing a 'Beer Line walk' - a history trail between the areas breweries (Gosnells, Brick, The Nines(bar) and Rebellion) to support the Peckham Coal Line Park - each brewery is producing a Coal Line drink for example Brick is making a porter - this dark beer was traditionally drunk by railway workers. We are celebrating the areas industrial past and future - supporting local business, raising money for a park and drinking beer.. whats not to like.. so come celebrate October and the Peckham Coal Line. Event details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/861880243866111/ Crowdfunding Spacehive: http://www.spacehive.com/peckhamcoalline

Hi all. Thanks, yes it was ?10000 from the Mayor. Just to let you know we'll be doing some walks as part of Open House this weekend for anyone who is interested. There is a talk at the CLF cafe (1st Floor of Bussey Building) at 12.00 tomorrow and 12.00 on Sunday and then walks on the hour from 1pm-5pm Saturday and 10am-midday on Sunday (starting same place). The Mayor's pledge was a big help but we still have a long way to go to get to the total (Its an all or nothing deal and the deadline is the 31st October). - so thinking about planning applications is very much a next step. It is important that the Coal Line becomes part of the new Southwark Plan which outlines the ambitions for the council so please ask your councillors to support this. Please come along and hear what it's all about tomorrow. Thanks again for the support. PCL Team

Just to update you: the project was featured on BBC London news yesterday evening: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b069x456/bbc-london-news-15092015 (expires 7pm this evening) Yesterday we received significant financial backing from the Mayor of London towards the project. Mayor Boris Johnson said: ?The Peckham Coal Line project is a fantastic example of how we can harness the enthusiasm of civic crowdfunding and work more directly with Londoners to improve their neighbourhoods. I urge you to go online and help your local project reach their total.? We said: ?Community spirit is unquantifiable and intangible but we all recognise that it is a vital asset and driver of a successful city. The skills of connected residents are an underused resource, We are reaching a time where Architecture can no longer be prescribed. Successful urban initiatives have to be adopted, embraced and loved by the people who use them. This sense of shared ownership can best be fostered when communities either instigate or are included in the process from the outset. So this is our time to make our own opportunity not just take what is given to us. This progressive approach means a shared responsibility in making things happen and the Coal line needs commitment from the public, from charities, foundations and corporations. We need government to step up and we need businesses to invest in making this a truly shared endeavour. So if you are an individual, or you represent a business or government agency and you?d like to help pioneer a future approach to urban space through an exciting project that, despite its modest budget has transformative potential, then join our journey. Donate through Spacehive and let us know how you can help.? We still have a way to go ? so we?d really appreciate your continued support. @edhistory - detailed planning applications are part of the next stage. We have outline support from all the key stakeholders/landowners.

Thank you for your support, engagement and notes of guidance. We?ve written a blog about some of the bigger issues we face which you can read about here if you are interested: http://peckhamcoalline.strikingly.com/blog/how-can-we-make-the-coal-line-right - your feedback is welcome. @peckham_ryu The Coal Line gives access to four otherwise blocked off arches. We believe that the rent from these and other potential commercial spaces combined with revenue generated from holding occasional events on parts of the park will generate the funds needed to operate, making it economically sustainable. This would likely be managed by a friends group with guidance form the council and set up as a charity, any excess would be reinvested in the park or put back into the local community. http://www.spacehive.com/peckhamcoalline Below is an old photo of the sidings in operation that you might find interesting. CC R C Riley transporttreasury.co.uk http://peckhamcoalline.strikingly.com/blog/how-can-we-make-the-coal-line-right

Katanita, Thanks, Its more that the video is not representative the project rather than the Coal Line not being representative of Peckham. We?re trying to do allot with very little and we did all the filming over one day of the Chelsea Fringe walks, which, as many of you identified, attracted a specific demographic. We have visited all the traders at Queens Road and along Rye Lane, most love the project as they realise the opportunity it could give small business both in the short and long term. We regularly meet with Peckham Vision and the Tenants and Residents Association throughout Peckham and our working group is made up of residents from across Peckham?s wide spectrum. We will be making other videos and are learning that meaningful engagement takes a long time. We?ll continue to meet, talk and connect to our neighbours. But weather you see the project as an opportunity or threat it is still a talking point, a chance to feel passionate about something local. This is the Coal Line?s greatest strength as it is helping build networks around a shared idea and in the long term these networks form the basis of a strong, resilient community, easily mobilised in the face of external threat.

We've got really exciting news about the Peckham Coal Line park's progress which needs your input and can be found in the "lounge" section of the forum: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?20,1561549,1561549#msg-1561549

Sorry now deleted this and PM Mark