East Dulwich Garden Centre - possibly replaced with flats

[TJS]

Looks like they have submitted another planning application:

Location: 18-22 GROVE VALE, LONDON, SE22 8EF

Proposal: Demolition of existing buildings and erection of part 3 and part 4 storey building comprising of 24 residential units (6 x 1 and 18 x 2 bedroom flats) with associated parking and facilities, landscaping, waste and recycling storage, renewable energy panels, amenity space (shared and private) and ClassD1 community facility (shown as library).

[ratty]

Who are "They"?

[TJS]

Sadly i don't know, however this has been tried before

[lozzyloz]

Surely if it succeeds that's good news? No shortage of garden centers but there is a shortage of low cost accommmodation in ED. Surely good for ED economy too.

[Nero]

I asked the owner last week and he said it was not being sold. Nero

[Amelie]

I have to say I find these planning applications a little odd from time to time, there was an application to turn 2 Lordship Lane into a dental surgery but according to the Land Registry the applicants were not the owners of the site. I could not understand how someone who didn't own the property was permitted to make a planning application to change its use. If the owner of Dulwich Garden Centre is not interested in selling who has made the application and by what right?

[MadWorld74]

I am a regular of the garden centre. You want affordable housing in ED? No housing in ED is affordable!!! why are'they' taking away the facilities that make ED special. All this place will become is an area with trendy flats and bars and over priced god damn boutiques.

[Mark]

The flats opposite the Texaco garage, where the cinema used to be, are "affordable housing".

[dc]

Amelie Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I have to say I find these planning applications a

> little odd from time to time, there was an

> application to turn 2 Lordship Lane into a dental

> surgery but according to the Land Registry the

> applicants were not the owners of the site. I

> could not understand how someone who didn't own

> the property was permitted to make a planning

> application to change its use. If the owner of

> Dulwich Garden Centre is not interested in selling

> who has made the application and by what right?

My understanding is that anyone can make an application on any property or site at any time. You don't need to be the owner. Quite why anyone would want to submit an application under such circumstances is a matter for speculation and gossip. The reality must be that when an application has been made it is for a good reason (from the applicants point of view at least).

[Frisco]

"I could not understand how someone who didn't own the property was permitted to make a planning application to change its use."

It could be that the dentist is exploring whether of change of use would be agreed before they purchase a lease. It would be a bit of a disaster if they bought the lease first and then found they couldn't get it and therefore couldn't set up their business.

[Frisco]

"The flats opposite the Texaco garage, where the cinema used to be, are "affordable housing"."

I believe they are key worker housing, rather than being just straightforwardly affordable.

[dc]

Oh and 'they' are:

Applicant: Ivan A. Bateman (who appears to live relatively locally (SE24 9): Credit Gate)

Agent: Ms Rachel McNicholas

St. Aidans Developments Ltd

7 Maltings Place

169 Tower Bridge Road

London

Details here: Southwark Planning

[Mark]

I stand corrected, they are key worker housing

[Frisco]

"I stand corrected, they are key worker housing"

Well, there is quite a significant difference.

[Mark]

I was meaning "affordable housing" in the government scheme of things i.e it's made available to council/HA tenants and key workers but I still stand by the fact that I made a mistake and should have said key worker housing originally.

[dc]

'They' were also involved in this development on the other side of the Rye: 159-161 Peckham Rye

[jr]

The flats on Grove vale opposite texaco aren't flats really, but rooms for Kings and Maudsley staff to rent, with shared kitchens in the main. They're like uni halls (i had the pleasure of living there for 10 months!) Good for what they are there for but not open to all.

[Quaywe]

The garden centre owners own that land and business outright. They will one day retire and sell up but I've heard they have no plans to do it yet. One day it will happen though and I'm sure that the planning permissions we're seeing is a sign of the vultures circling and waiting for the day when the owners cash in their chips.

[Frisco]

"The flats on Grove vale opposite texaco aren't flats really, but rooms for Kings and Maudsley staff to rent, with shared kitchens in the main. They're like uni halls (i had the pleasure of living there for 10 months!) Good for what they are there for but not open to all."

Yes, that's what I thought. Almost what they uses to previously refer to as 'Nurses Homes'. The things that were nearly all disposed of in the 1980s and 90s. Isn't there a planning condition there too that none of the residents should have cars?

[jr]

I don't know about that - I had one and parked over the road. Kings have several properties available to them - up behind dulwihc hamlet and down in Camberwell too.

[Fuschia]

There is an article about this in Southwark News, headed "library proposal" and a councillor welcoming the developers offer of a new library (and 22 flats) and saying a garden centre is not needed!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Where will I ogle gorgeous, young New Zealanders when buying my lavender?

[Louisa]

How dare anyone try to build yet more housing in an area which is becoming stretched as it is. The buses (which I refuse to use) are now filled to bursting point, the roads are congested, the post office and bank (mine anyway) are always packed and it takes me hours to queue. We cannot sustain yet more housing affordable (whatever that is) or not! Plus I buy my spring bulbs from the Dulwich Garden Centre, I dont wish to be forced to travel to Homebase in Penge every March thankyou very much.

Louisa.

[pearcesa]

Surely not another residential development for young professionals in East Dulwich - YAWN!

I like Louisa like popping into the garden centre on an adhoc basis and buying what I need and supporting a local business!

[Mark]

pearcesa Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Surely not another residential development for young professionals in East Dulwich - YAWN!

How do you know that it's for young professionals and not key worker housing? Do you know something we don't? And are you're against the new library too?