Now that we have earmarked the money needed, we can start planning for the biggest investment that this pool has seen in over 100 years!

Labour’s Mayor has again continued to ignore the views of local people and and seek to impose an ‘urban’ planning designation on East Dulwich. Designating the area as ’suburban’ would mean that new developments would be 2-3 storeys high.  The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, objected to our proposed designation, arguing that the area should be categorised as ‘urban’ - meaning that 4-6 storey high buildings could be built.

Labour politcians are all over the place on this issue - claiming they support the ’suburban’ designation but delivering leaflets and making speeches supporting the Mayor’s arguments.  

The Council has confirmed its position at two council meetings since the Mayor last objected but again he has refused to listen.  The only person who now has the power to decide is Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State. She will do so by 27th February.   The Mayor has  now written to her as follows: 

….my view is that the application of suburban density levels in a broad-brush manner across areas that are in fact urban in character represents a negative approach….  The adoption of the UDP without further amendment would therefore cause significant harm to the implementation of my London Plan, and in particular to meeting
London’s strategic housing needs…. 

I urge you to take into account my concerns and to direct the Council to amend its UDP to bring it into general conformity with the London Plan before adoption.” 

What the Mayor does not state is that an independent plannign inspector has already confirmed that Southwark can meet the important targets to build more housing without changing the designation of East Dulwich (and Rotherhithe, Herne Hill and Nunhead) in this way.Ruth Kelly can now either confirm the decision of the elected local council which has consulted widely with local people and whose views are endorsed  by her own Planning Inspector - or she can ignore all that and agree with  the Mayor.  I hope she will see sense.  

I reported last month that Southwark Council has engaged Living Steets to look at ways of improving Lordship Lane for pedestrians

On Saturday three different groups ofresidentwalked up and down the street noting specific problems faced by pedestrians and discussing ways they could be addressed.

Living Streets will then be reporting to the Dulwich Community Council with their suggestions. 

One improvement that could be implemented straight away would be to remove this bus stop - the P13 doesn’t go that way anymore….

Cllr James Barber took me and Jonathan out this week to witness the installation of a second round of ‘Alert Boxes’ in stores on Lordship Lane and Northcross Road thanks to Cleaner, Greener, Safer money from the Dulwich Community Council

Alert Boxes are a simple means of helping local stores to warn each other about shoplifters and other trouble in their area.

Alert boxes work like a small digital radio. If a shopkeeper wants to warn others about potential shoplifters or to issue a distress call then they simply press a button. Experience has shown that their neighbours will be very quick to come to their aid. 

As well as boosting the fight against crime, these boxes help to build relations between local stores and are especially useful in helping stores run by just a single person to feel safer.  Its ba practical way of cutting crime and supporting localshops.  Well done James!