Council plan to redevelop Somerleyton road/ Ovalhouse Theatre to move to the site.
- Thread starter Gramsci
- Start date
Brixton Hatter
Home is south London mate
Also, their strange definition of "Brixton" means that if you live in Vassall Ward, Larkhall Ward or Stockwell Ward, you are not allowed to join and take up a £1 share and 'have your say', even though you live only minutes away from the development site. http://www.brixtongreen.org/who-can-buy-a-share/
If people don't remember the previous discussion about Brixton Green, it's perhaps worth reminding ourselves that, despite its "community credentials":
- it is run by a property developer, Brad Carroll, "the owner/manager of a local residential property business."
- its 'professional team' consists of estate agents, architects, property developers, construction specialists
- its advisers include multinational engineering/construction giant Arup
- Brad got in a very bad mood when he came on here and was questioned as to his motives, how much £ he was going to make out of the project, and why he had set up the organisation in the way he did. Given that he didn't/couldn't answer these questions, I am very suspicious....
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threa...y-led-development-on-somerleyton-road.271475/
and
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/brixton-green.240807/
If people don't remember the previous discussion about Brixton Green, it's perhaps worth reminding ourselves that, despite its "community credentials":
- it is run by a property developer, Brad Carroll, "the owner/manager of a local residential property business."
- its 'professional team' consists of estate agents, architects, property developers, construction specialists
- its advisers include multinational engineering/construction giant Arup
- Brad got in a very bad mood when he came on here and was questioned as to his motives, how much £ he was going to make out of the project, and why he had set up the organisation in the way he did. Given that he didn't/couldn't answer these questions, I am very suspicious....
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threa...y-led-development-on-somerleyton-road.271475/
and
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/brixton-green.240807/
OvalhouseDB
Well-Known Member
Hello. I am the Director of Ovalhouse. Really pleased to see general enthusiasm for OH - many of our young people, artists and audiences are Brixton residents, and we look forward to meeting as many people as possible as this opportunity takes shape. I've been banging on about moving to Brixton since about 2006, and met many people at various forums and public events.
At the moment we are simply looking at the potential of the footprint of land on the corner of Somerleyton Rd and Coldharbour Lane to work out how far / if our need for space matches the value of our current site at the Oval. No hard and fast design decisions are being made - or even suggested - yet. We have a specific form of consultation we need to do in order to make sure we provide the right level of space for small businesses in the arts or creative sector, work studios, community meetings and training space and to attract external funding for the proposal. We will be talking to various groups about what they find enticing or off putting in using publicly accessible buildings, and especially arts facilities. We are keen to meet any individuals or groups who will be our neighbours - geographically or in spirit! I have already spoken with several groups, but please post the names of any groups here, or PM me the details of individuals who would like to talk with us.
And meanwhile, come up and see us some time!
http://www.ovalhouse.com/
At the moment we are simply looking at the potential of the footprint of land on the corner of Somerleyton Rd and Coldharbour Lane to work out how far / if our need for space matches the value of our current site at the Oval. No hard and fast design decisions are being made - or even suggested - yet. We have a specific form of consultation we need to do in order to make sure we provide the right level of space for small businesses in the arts or creative sector, work studios, community meetings and training space and to attract external funding for the proposal. We will be talking to various groups about what they find enticing or off putting in using publicly accessible buildings, and especially arts facilities. We are keen to meet any individuals or groups who will be our neighbours - geographically or in spirit! I have already spoken with several groups, but please post the names of any groups here, or PM me the details of individuals who would like to talk with us.
And meanwhile, come up and see us some time!
http://www.ovalhouse.com/
Brixton Hatter
Home is south London mate
Thanks for posting here.
There are lots of people who use this site who will be interested in what you're doing. If there are consultation events or opportunities for people to get involved, it would be great if you could let people know by posting here. One of the problems with some of the local consultations is they are sometimes not well advertised. Posting here and using twitter/facebook etc to get to local people will probably be helpful
Good luck.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
...and don't forget that he posted up an email on public boards without the permission of the other party, which the mods deleted and he put up again....bad manners and very unprofessional.
boohoo
No.
Had a look at the questionnaire - These two are unlikely to be answered in the negative.
Brixton needs a significant number of new homes for current and future communities. (Strongly agree, agree, don't know, disagree, strongly disagree)
A new cultural facility, such as a theatre, at the north end of Somerleyton Road will be a major new attraction and draw visitors to this area.
First question doesn't suggest what type of housing. We need new homes but not ones that the local community can't afford.
A cultural facility anywhere in Brixton would be a major new attraction and draw visitors to this area. It would be better to ask if this is the right thing for that corner - if they really want people's honest opinion.
Brixton needs a significant number of new homes for current and future communities. (Strongly agree, agree, don't know, disagree, strongly disagree)
A new cultural facility, such as a theatre, at the north end of Somerleyton Road will be a major new attraction and draw visitors to this area.
First question doesn't suggest what type of housing. We need new homes but not ones that the local community can't afford.
A cultural facility anywhere in Brixton would be a major new attraction and draw visitors to this area. It would be better to ask if this is the right thing for that corner - if they really want people's honest opinion.
editor
hiraethified
Indeed. And that's an important distinction that needs to be made.
OvalhouseDB
Well-Known Member
I'd be really interested to know of any concerns anyone had about Ovalhouse on that corner. I like the fact that it is a central Brixton site, and also has close residential neighbours - we never wanted to be tucked away in some 'cultural quarter' - Ovalhouse is about being in and amongst, not aloof and apart.
Currently, the majority of our users for the theatre and the young people's activities are very local and spreading out across s London. The theatre audience is more generally London while the youth theatre is more intensively local, as you would expect. We're not planning to massively increase the size of our 2 theatres (currently seating 100 and 50), and mostly we are closing up by 11 or 11.30 pm. We have young people coming and going during the day if they are with school or other groups, and early evenings and weekends. We would also hope to bring some of our community partners with us - the hugely popular Stockwell Good Neighbours, for example, arowdy lively group of elders who meet for social activities, arts things and lunch every Monday. Some are also members of the Golden Age group which meets at Moorlands, so we have some crossover.
The proposed Ovalhouse will have comprehensive disability accessibility, and we'll need some disabled parking - vans used by theate companies at OH are of the large transit variety rather than Edwin Shirley Trucking pantechnicons.
Currently, the majority of our users for the theatre and the young people's activities are very local and spreading out across s London. The theatre audience is more generally London while the youth theatre is more intensively local, as you would expect. We're not planning to massively increase the size of our 2 theatres (currently seating 100 and 50), and mostly we are closing up by 11 or 11.30 pm. We have young people coming and going during the day if they are with school or other groups, and early evenings and weekends. We would also hope to bring some of our community partners with us - the hugely popular Stockwell Good Neighbours, for example, a
The proposed Ovalhouse will have comprehensive disability accessibility, and we'll need some disabled parking - vans used by theate companies at OH are of the large transit variety rather than Edwin Shirley Trucking pantechnicons.
Brixton Hatter
Home is south London mate
As I said further up the thread, I like the idea of the theatre moving to Brixton. If it were to move to that corner, I'd like it done in a way that doesn't ruin the view of the mural. The mural is very important to lot of local people and is part of Brixton's cultural history. Also Carlton Mansions (which the mural is painted on) is home to many people and they will have their own views about what happens to that corner...
cuppa tee
Well-Known Member
Market research professionals often frame questions in a specific way so that the answer they are given will be the one that the body commissioning the research desires.
OvalhouseDB
Well-Known Member
Current footprint we are working with does not obliterate the mural, or Carlton Mansions.
And I have spoken, informally, with people representing both interests, but cannot speak for them, of course. It's really important, as CrazyMuralLady (?) said upthread that everyone has their say over the things that are important to them.
And I have spoken, informally, with people representing both interests, but cannot speak for them, of course. It's really important, as CrazyMuralLady (?) said upthread that everyone has their say over the things that are important to them.
boohoo
No.
This is what concerns me about the questions.
boohoo
No.
I think it'll be great on the corner. I just didn't like the wording in the questionnaire about the theatre (though I'm not quite sure what the alternative is!)
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
I've loved Oval House since I moved to South London many many years ago. I live very close to where Oval House and all who sail in her are likely to be and I'm delighted. I'm very wary indeed about Brixton Green as so far I have found them to be a shower of shite. This may be because they are a hapless bunch or it may be because they are slippery customers with their interests, not the community interest at heart. Either way, I'm not enamoured of their outfit at all.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
...btw, I'm not the only person they've pissed off. They've annoyed residents of Moorlands (with no Urban 75 connection whatsoever). I know for a fact that someone who has great respect in the local area asked them a couple of questions and they were rude and defensive which is piss-poor PR.
editor
hiraethified
I'm not entirely sure who Brixton Green are supposed to represent, and most people have no idea what it is they're actually supposed to be doing and what purpose they're supposed to be serving.
They throw the word 'community' around a lot, but seeing as no one from Southwyck House resident's association has ever met them (neither have our opinions been sought), we're all in the dark what their plans are.
Oval House, on the other hand, have already been in touch privately, they're actively seeking to engage the community both online and offline and generally seem to be very interested in the views of locals.
They throw the word 'community' around a lot, but seeing as no one from Southwyck House resident's association has ever met them (neither have our opinions been sought), we're all in the dark what their plans are.
Oval House, on the other hand, have already been in touch privately, they're actively seeking to engage the community both online and offline and generally seem to be very interested in the views of locals.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Oval House have consistently engaged with and listened to the community in South London. They've had decades of practice in how to do that, and do it well.
Vibrant-Hubb
Active Member
I don't often post here but would like to add my support for Oval House, who are a genuinely ethical organisation and have supported for decades local people and poorer people with an interest in theatre. I'd be thrilled to see them on that corner. Any ethical organisation working with locals and local young people needs all the support we can muster these days.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
The hard decisions will depend a lot on how much the Council are prepared to facilitate this. They own the site.
If Ovalhouse does come to that corner then it has to be done properly. A well designed landmark building that has a presence. Not a compromise due to economic constraints.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Different consultation date on here -
http://futurebrixton.org/somerleyton-road-project/somerleyton-road-get-involved/
Bump as this is now tomorrow Saturday 9th. It is drop in so one can go anytime. It will be run by Social Life.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Here are Council provisional drawings of the site. They are not detail of design or finished look. They are latest thinking of how to fit the theatre on site. Also the size of the housing on the site and green space. There will be a small square in front of mural. The drawings show how the mural can be kept with a small square in front.The Council are keen to have comments on these drawings.
This is how the thinking is going with Council and Ovalhouse to fit theatre on the site.
The other idea was to keep Carlton Mansions and the Theatre separate. But these drawings below are at moment where the Council / Oval house are going with this. PTEa are the architects hired by Council to look at the whole site and come up with rough ideas of how to fit the theatre onsite and housing.
Also not so clear from drawings is idea to open up an arch from Railton road through to next to Carlton Mansions. Where the butchers and barbers/ hairdressers are next to bridge
From this it looks like Carlton Mansions will be business units.
There will be a basement under theatre accessible around the back for parking and deliveries. Arrow on drawing is ramp to basement.
The block of flats on top of theatre is apparently to make the scheme more financially viable.
Here is link to download the pdf to look at drawings below in more detail.
To make it clear I'm putting this up as information. Its not that I am saying I agree with them.
Saffron
New Member
Hi this is Saffron from Social Life. Please come to Dexter's today and talk to us about Somerleyton Road. We will be organising more workshops and more detailed conversations over the next few weeks and would be really pleased if Urban75 members would take part. We will post info about how to get involved here if that's okay with people?
Hope to see you later, Saffron
editor
hiraethified
I've posted up a piece on my blog with more detail about the proposals:
http://www.urban75.org/blog/somerle...val-house-theatre-provisional-plans-released/
Gramsci - give me a shout if you think I've missed out anything.
http://www.urban75.org/blog/somerle...val-house-theatre-provisional-plans-released/
Gramsci - give me a shout if you think I've missed out anything.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Am I right in saying Somerleyton Passage will remain? We as a family and our friends use it loads. I know there was talk that it might go, which would be a real inconvenience.
editor
hiraethified
Yes, absolutely AFAIK. There was no mention of it going, the only discussion was what should be built around it.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Oh good. I know BG had a bee in their bonnet about it being the hub of crime in the area. I believe there have been a few robberies near it over the years but I've been using it over 30 years without incident. More people have been robbed coming out of Brixton Tube but nobody wants to close that.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Good piece and u got the drawings showing development in a more understandable way than the pdf.
A few comments.
Affordable housing.
My understanding is that this is still up for discussion for this particular scheme . The amount and "affordability".
I did not think the 65% of market rent was written in stone. Its officers preferred way of dealing with the new "affordability" criteria in Lambeth. I do not know if it is Lambeth policy or if its grown adhoc through negotiations with developers over planning application ( ie the Barretts Brixton square).
My understanding is that for this scheme done in a "Cooperative" spirit with the local community we will have a say in this. Something to be clarified with the Council I think.
Officer did say to me that the Council are looking into possibilities of building Council housing at social rent. As Councils can borrow money now to build.
The Council have said they want to do this scheme differently. With Community involvement. Why Council say they are doing it with Brixton Green. Hopefully Brixton Green with lobby for maximum amount of affordable housing. At an affordable rent.
Development "partner"
After all the outline design is finished the officers will write a report to be agreed by Cabinet. This will include amount of affordable housing, heights of building, number of units of housing etc. Once this is agreed then the Council will seek a "development partner" to build scheme.
There are two areas that the local community may have some choice in. The development partner and also an architectural competition for the landmark Theatre building.
I was chatting to someone from the Tenants Council at the Dexter playground event. They pointed out that a development "partner" was a euphemism for a PFI scheme. Like the one down at Myatts fields. Except that officers do not like using the term PFI anymore.
And the big question is how this will be done. The discussions are being rushed. The structure of consultation is being made as the discussions are taking place. Not very satisfactory. The community is being given short time span to look at these plans.
Above plans only appeared in last few days.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Exactly, it just reeks of, literally, pulling a fast one.
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