Southwark Council’s Executive met last night to consider our response to the Government on the ‘urban/suburban’ issue.  Having taken advice from the planning committee we agreed that we should not cave in to demands from ‘Communities’ Secretary Ruth Kelly that high density developments should be allowed in
East Dulwich (or Herne Hill, Nunhead and Rotherhithe). We recommended that Council Assembly challenge the Government through the courts if necessary to force the Communities Secretary to re-consider her decision. 

We have made our case and it has been supported by the people of Southwark and by the Government’s own inspector. We will ask Council Assembly to support our view once more that this plan is right and appropriate for Southwark.In the meantime, we have also reiterated our desire to talk directly to the Government in order to find a solution outside of the legal process. 

***Sign the petition at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/southwarkissuburban***

I have started a petition on the urban/suburban issue.  Click on the link above or below!

Please help by signing  the on-line petition and forwarding the link to your friends. http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/southwarkissuburban . 

The proposal for a T-Mobile phone mast opposite 202 Dunstans Road has been defeated

As reported previously local people, parent and Governors of Goodrich School and the local FOCUS team campaigned effectively to persuade Southwark’s Planning Committee to reject the application.   As we always knew they would T-Mobile appealed against this decision.  

I am pleased to be able to report that the decision of Southwark Council to reject this mast has been upheld.   The Inspector agreed with local people and councilors that the mast would have an adverse impact on pedestrian convenience, resulting in ‘street clutter’ and would be harmful to pedestrian safety.  

This victory would not have been possible without  so many people making their voice heard – first to Southwark Council and then to the Planning Inspector.   

Well done to everyone who helped.

The continued threat of large parts of Southwark being designated ‘urban’ by a combination of the Mayor and the Government has been a continuing feature of this blog. 

I reported that Labour’s Mayor has sought 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.

That threat has now been realised. Ruth Kelly has written to Southwark Council directing us to change our main planning document so that East Dulwich,  Herne Hill, Rotherhithe and Nunhead are designated as urban.

So why might a Secrtary of State with so much to do and who has never visited Southwark to look atthese matters or has sought to speak to anyone at the Council about this think she knows. best. Why does she feel able to overturn the advice of her planning inspector. Why does she know better than the people who live here -  who have been consulted about this planning ndocument over a period of five years?

She has two reasons: 

1.She says if we do not will not meet our housing targets set out in the London Plan. But this contradicts the conclusion of her planning inspector who says we will meet our housing target ( and who spent months considering the evidence) She does not appear to have considered any new evidence that might explain why this position might have changed. 

2. She has had regard to the new definition of urban that Livingstone is seeking to push through in his new draft London Plan.  The draft London Plan is a ’material consideration’ but clearly it should not be given more weight than the actual plan which has legal status and has been consulted upon and agreed!

 The Council Leader Nick Stanton has already written to the Secretary of State seeking a meeting with her to persuade her to reverse this decision. Simon Hughes MP is also seeking a meeting.

The Secretary of State could reverse this decision if she wanted to.   She must be put under massive  pressure to do so. 

We had a marathon session of the Dulwich Community Council this evening.  I always enjoy these sessions and I am very proud that the Liberal Democrats  have ensured that planning decisions are made locally by councillors who know the area and issues involved.  Bizzarely it is still the position of Labour councillors that all planning decisions should be made by a central planning committee in Peckham.   

Anyway, an application was heard for a change of use for the site occupied by Caffe Nero on Lordship Lane.  They currently occupty the site anyway but they are in breach of planning rules because it should be a shop (A1 use)  rather than a cafe (A3 use).

Southwark’s new planning policies are clear that we should not allow the number of shops, (as opposed to other uses like offices and restaurants) to drop below 50% in a parade of shops.  The planning officer gave clear advice that the result of this application would have that effect and in the view of the committee that would effect the position of Lordship Lane as a vibrant trading area.

I very much doubt that will be the end of the matter; as Caffe Nero are already trading they will be sure to appeal the decision.  But I am convinced the right decision was made.