Results of Bassano Street Committee Meeting 1st October 6.30pm

[gerry]

Southwark Council is proposing to demolish the Bassano Street garages across from ESPH and build four houses in its place.

Consultation now open for comment, search Southwark planning applications 19/AP/1861. I believe there is deadline of 4th August for comment.

[geh]

Thanks for heads up, I do recall more in attendance to the evening session I was at.

Can you let me know where this latest info was published please?

As both resident and tenant I am interested in there development, and have been liaising with Southwark regarding the formation of a Project Group. Regrettably most of the liaison is mainly one way.

[gerry]

There isn't anything published yet concerning the meeting on 25th March. I only found out because I contacted them directly. If there is a project group I would be interested in joining this as we are local residents. I will keep you informed when the details are released. I was informed there would be invitations sent out next week.

[Cora]

I received a letter saying there would be no group due to lack of interest.....

[Boddle]

Interesting. I live on Bassano Street and not been informed about this meeting..

[geh]

I received the note saying there would be no project group, again due to lack of interest, and have asked exactly how many are required to form the group as I suspect there would be enough interest.

I too am on Bassano and have received no notifications

[gerry]

Well I think we need to ask here on the forum how many would be interested in forming a project group. Could you let others know who may not have seen this thread.

[gerry]

The public meeting on 9th April will be held at the Dulwich Library from 4-7 pm. Please pass on this information to anyone who may be interested in attending.

[James Barber]

It was me that suggested these garages be considered for a council housing development to help in a tiny way towards resolving the housing crisis.

[Passiflora]

Yes, I remember your views back in October about this James.

Maybe the Libs should have got involved about the bigger issue going on at the Walworth Road/Elephant and Castle social housing situation and not just a few garages.

[snowy]

^ classic whataboutery

[gerry]

New date for public event now 9th April at Dulwich Library, not 25th March.

[James Barber]

Hi Passiflora,

As the then local councillor I was focused on East Dulwich and then wider Southwark.

hi very,

The scheme proposed is an over development for the site. It breaks The Southwark Plan - councils planning bible - ignoring the area Suburban designation. I hope others joining me in seeking to get an appropriately sized scheme that meets the councils own policies.

Bother. I can't make the new April date and nor can former Councillor Rosie Shimell. I will get another Lib dem activist to attend.

[gerry]

Thank you James. I also cannot attend the new date but any support that you and others can offer would be greatly appreciated. If there is anything we should do before that meeting please let us know.

[Passiflora]

Oh well, looks like nobody from the libs can attend this meeting.

[geh]

Hi James

would you be able to expand on your post please and the divergence from the Southwark Plan please (for us non planners!)?

thanks

[gerry]

Yes I have tried to read the Southwark plan but found myself bogged down in detail of other areas, not sure how to find specific parameters for this area. How are these defined for suburban areas?

[James Barber]

Hi Passiflora,

I specifically stated a Lib Dem will be there. Baffled how you have morphed that into no Lib Dem will be there!

Hi geh, gerry,

My understanding is four storey building are now being proposed. Contrary to my original officer discussions.

The current Core Strategy from 2011 p57 states area should remain suburban - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=2ahUKEwiuvIDRsffgAhWMDOwKHToSCKoQFjABegQICBAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.southwark.gov.uk%2Fassets%2Fattach%2F1675%2F1.0.2%2520DL%2520Core_Strategy_2011.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1_K9P70Ij7_TRp_BgcGLrl

p.78 shows that East Dulwich issei's in the Suburban Density Zone Middle.

Definition of Suburban Density in Southwark can be found on p.79 stating 200-350 habitable rooms per hectare. Sizes of room and outdoor space are requirements. So four storey building there would breach these room range without the excuse of being on top of a station for example.

Southwark Council will argue it's next to the church hall which is high. But of course we wouldn't expect homes to be as tall as churches!

Details of home design and repeat of suburban definition p.8 here -https://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/1811/1.0.4.1%202015_Technical_Update_to_the_Residesign_SPD__2011_.pdf

[gerry]

Thank you James.This is very helpful.

[geh]

Thanks James

[James Barber]

The garages are 0.05 hectare. So that would be 10 to 17.5 rooms 18m frontage = circa 3 x typical Bassano Street homes. So 3 houses wide to deliver those 10 - 17.5 habitable rooms.

3 x houses x 3 bedroom each(1 attic bedroom) would be at the top end of the acceptable range.

[Nigello]

I think four-five storey blocks, like tenement blocks in Glasgow and those you can see in part of London (like Battersea) and in many cities abroad (Rome, Barcelona, Paris) are a good use of space. I agree that such density is not good for all parts of Zone 2 but in small pockets it could help the housing situation (as long as the rooms are big enough and well insulated).

[James Barber]

hi Nigello,

Where that is the norm what you're suggesting can work well.

But where it would then dominate and overlook others it doesn't work well. Which is why Southwark has policies specifically aimed at not allowing what you've suggested in areas like East Dulwich.

[Sally Eva]

don't I remember a row about Boris Johnson redefining ED as an inner city area and thus raising its housing density?

[James Barber]

East Dulwich and the wider Dulwich area are still defined as suburban.