Grove Tavern, yawn yawn....

[apbremer]

I know that this is a hackneyed topic, having been dragging its weary self around for many, many years. However, the wrecked pub has now reached such a stage of terminal graffitied collapse,and total dereliction that even the bone heads at Southwark, Dulwich Estate and the lessee brewers must see that, at long last, a solution must surely now be found. Apart from its disgusting appearance it is openly inviting squatters and must be a major fire hazard. Can someone, anywhere, anyone just knock some heads together??

[Earl Aelfheah]

It is remarkable that it's been allowed to sit derelict for so long. The skatepark is good though.

[alice]

Totally right- Southwark?s social housing record is abysmal. How about extending the lordship Lane estate there rather than squeezing more on original site.

[Siduhe]

I know the local councillors have raised this a number of times - but there still seems to be an impasse as to long term use between Southwark (social care or affordable housing) and the Dulwich Estate (rather less affordable housing) with the added complication that the relevant pubco is still a tenant and has overall responsibility for the property.

The last time I asked about the pub (it comes up regularly at ward meetings), I was told that there were discussions about using the car park as temporary coach parking for some of the local schools, but since then the Grove DIY skate park project has taken off there, so I very much hope that won't be moved on, simply to accommodate the needs of (mostly) private schools.

Edited to add - they also have live-in guardians on site, not all the time but every now and then, presumably to manage the risk of squatters.

I realise the skate park also doesn't look very fancy either, but it's an amazing community effort, and the kids who skate there work really hard to keep it clean and tidy, not disturbing of neighbours and open to everyone.

[exdulwicher]

The topic popped up this time last year in a Dulwich Society newsletter.

https://www.dulwichsociety.com/journal-archive/130-spring-2020/1872-the-grove-tavern-saga-by-mike-foster

Good skatepark though, it's nice that it's been so positively received.

[alice]

And what happens in that telecoms building next to fireman?s alley. Site is huge unused tho there?s a sign to say it?s ?operating? but without personnel.

[Siduhe]

It's the BT Dulwich Exchange - serves all our landlines and broadband in the local area. It's not unused, there's plenty of plant and machinery in the building. Someone is there most days (or at least there's a van parked up) but they upped security of the building after the last time it got taken over by travellers, so it looks pretty boarded up now.

[alice]

Site is overgrown graffitied and unused. I?ll try and find out more. Evidently no longer needs huge site

[alice]

BR has over 5000exchanges but are planning to close 4500 of them. Hopefully dulwich will be one of them. New technology renders them obsolete.

[malumbu]

Not sure why you have to use 'bonehead' apbremer, and Alice have a further go at Southwark (which begs the question why not move?). Using the pejorative makes it difficult to have an adult conversation.

By coincidence have just come back from a walk in Syd Hill Woods, passing by the Grove and wondering why it had come to that. The garden is particularly impressive (overgrown) but like most I think the skate park is a great use of the place.

[apbremer]

We have had three sets of professionals, presumably experts in their fields, fiddling and faddling around for at least ten years to no effect whatever apart from prolonging this appalling eyesore. So,malumbu, on reflection I feel that boneheads is far too complimentary a description. Half wits is more appropriate.

As to moving, if those amongst us less than enamoured of Southwark Council, were to move the borough would be half empty.

[Glemham]

Allegedly the Dulwich Estate still receives ?100,000 a year from Stonegate who hold the lease. So is it any surprise that the Estate seems to be uninterested in doing anything about the eyesore. On their website page outlining their values and aims they declare that ?we strive to achieve a standard of quality that creates an exceptional neighbourhood?.........thedulwichestate.org.uk.But equally the Council seems reluctant to find a way around the impasse with a solution that will benefit the local community.

[alice]

How does compulsory purchase work?