High-density housing in East Dulwich?

[timtim]

An update on this ongoing story...

"Southwark Council?s Executive last night refused to cave in to demands from Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly that high density developments should be allowed in Nunhead, East Dulwich, Herne Hill and Rotherhithe."

Full details on the Lib Dem Southwark blog: http://politicallyrestricted.blogspot.com/index.html

If you support the council's position, I would urge you to post a comment to the blog or email them direct with your support.

timtim

[Ant]

You'll need a blogger account to comment on the blog though. (Which I don't have.)

[timtim]

...or you can sign in with a google or google mail account.

[Cllr Richard Thomas]

I have posted the latest about this on my blog. www.richardthomas.org.uk

In short we have managed we had wanted a limit of three stories but negotiated a limit of four. I think that's pretty good going as the government'sdirection woudlhave set a height limit of six/seven stories.

richard

[Huguenot]

Good man Richard, I must say that if those blocks at the top of Oakhurst Grove opposite Goose Green are a good example of four stories then I'm well pleased.

I thought that was a great development in line with the local area. Unlike the affordable housing opposite the Texaco garage, which was particularly untalented!

[louisiana]

I agree, Huguenot. I wouldn't mind taller buildings IF they were visually interesting. But they rarely are. The example you quote is, as you say, not worth the bricks used to build it.

Louisiana

[MadWorld74]

Oh NO! we have Dawson Heights Estate at the top of Dunstans Road!!!! that is enough. Does anyone know the development (mroe like small City) I'm talking about. It's a scary place.

[Keef]

I think it looks stunning at night!

[MadWorld74]

Yes at night!!! from a distance. There are no street lights up the top of Dunstans Road where there's just an expanse of open grass sloping up to the egde of the building. I made the mistake once of going for a run past it. I never see any people up there! How many people do you think it houses?

[Keef]

I've no idea, but I imagine a lot... :-S

I'm sure it's not the nicest place in the world, but as a building I think it's pretty cool! My sister used to live right at the top of Underhill, and from their garden it sort of loomed over, at night I always thought it looked amazing... A little intimidating perhaps, but still pretty cool >:D<

[louisiana]

I think it's gross. It blocks out all kinds of views over London too. And that grass bit in front: there always seems to be gangs of youths running dogfights when I go past.

[Keef]

To be fair, I never said the youths living there were cool, only the building ;-)

Also, I think it adds to the views, and if you want better, nip up to Hornimans, where surely you get some of the best views available (tu)

[Sam]

Huguenot Wrote:

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

>

> I thought that was a great development in line

> with the local area. Unlike the affordable housing

> opposite the Texaco garage, which was particularly

> untalented!

If you're referring to what I think you are, that building is accomodation for junior doctors. So technically, yes, it is affordable housing albeit for individuals rather than families. I'm not sure this necessarily makes a difference, just thought I'd add that bit of knowledge!

As for the grass in front of Dawson Heights, at the recommendation of someone on here I took a quick walk up there and the view is great (as is the one from the Horniman). A real panorama from the Isle of Dogs all the way around to Battersea and beyond (with the Wembley arch in the background).

[louisiana]

Keef Wrote:

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

> To be fair, I never said the youths living there

> were cool, only the building ;-)

>

> Also, I think it adds to the views, and if you

> want better, nip up to Hornimans, where surely you

> get some of the best views available (tu)

The Horniman Gardens is actually one of the places it blocks out some views from: it's slap bang in the middle.

[MadWorld74]

I've been to the Horniman gardens and the views are SPOILT by the damn Dawson Heights!!!! If you took them away you'd be able to see a view that was there for hundreds of years. Running dogfights on the grass outside!!?? oh how disgusting. It looms over us all. What with all the robberies in ED recently I always wonder whether the 'uncool youths' with their 'fighting dogs' have anything to do with them. Maybe a sweeping generalisation but.....

[monica]

How funny is that,our very own councillor has time to post a message on here,but cannot be bothered to reply to an email that i sent him a while ago.

[Keef]

Each to their own I guess. For me, Dawson Heights is a good feature and part of the view from Horniman's. But yes, even though it's been there years, I'm sure they've all suddenly had a get together and decided to attack the good folks of ED with a crime spree.. Have a word with yourself!

[MadWorld74]

Dear Keef,

I have had a word with myself and yes you're right! But it's better than banging on about some green worm under Lordship lane!!!

I'm just worried that all the new developments will make getting to work in the morning on the train even more of a nightmare. You have to fight your way on as it is.....

[Cllr Richard Thomas]

monica Wrote:

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

> How funny is that,our very own councillor has time

> to post a message on here,but cannot be bothered

> to reply to an email that i sent him a while ago.

Monica

I try my best on the email front... I am not sure whether the error was technological or human but do send it through to [email protected] and I shall do the best I can to help.

richard

[chuff]

Dawson Heights was built on a rubbish tip supposedly and was sinking quickly. Was saved though because it had been listed, would have been nice if it was pulled down and redeveloped back when that was happening. Horrible place, used to be the place to go when you wanted hard drugs and to commit suicide.

[Keef]

I was up at Horniman's with Mrs Keef on Sunday, and told her about this very conversation. Her opinion was that whilst it's not the prettiest place in the world, it's a very very interesting feature. She also commented that the middle classes don't like to see council housing, and world rather it be hidden away, which is probably why so many people from Dulwich found it so offensive. Wise lady my other half ;-)

[chuff]

I just found the **** heads etc very scary when growing up and knowing at least three people that have chucked themselves from the top of it (a 13 year old boy included) has sort of put me off the place.

Seeing most of my mates end up serious addicts too didn't help.

am biased sorry!

chuff

[Keef]

Fair enough Chuff. I know the place hasn't had the best rep over the years, and one of the guys who threw himself off was a friend of my dad's called Malcolm, I guess it was very late 80's... Can't really remember very well. Anyway, I do know what you're saying, I just think it looks nice when all the lights are on at night that's all. Plus I don't like the attitude (not yours) that any crime in the area must be down to the people living in places like that.

[chuff]

it's actually fantatic to go to the top at night and look out over London and yes you're right the finger pointing thing.

I have noticed that there aren't many places around where it isn't looming in the background somewhere.

[louisiana]

Keef Wrote:

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

> I was up at Horniman's with Mrs Keef on Sunday,

> and told her about this very conversation. Her

> opinion was that whilst it's not the prettiest

> place in the world, it's a very very interesting

> feature. She also commented that the middle

> classes don't like to see council housing, and

> world rather it be hidden away, which is probably

> why so many people from Dulwich found it so

> offensive. Wise lady my other half ;-)

Having climbed a steep hill which provides panoramic views, I would indeed prefer to see, say, St Paul's cathedral, or St Mary Axe, to yet another badly designed council block. There are plenty of appallingly designed council blocks, all around. Just as there are many appallingly designed Barratt houses. Neither feature in my 'must see when I've managed to drag myself up the hill' top ten.

Louisiana