Former job centre in Josephine Avenue in Brixton is squatted

[leanderman]

A tweet I saw today suggests that the former job centre in Josephine Avenue has been occupied, in some way or other.

A planning application had just been put in for 42 studio flats for students.

 

[leanderman]

Here is the sign. No idea what it means

 

[Crispy]

Original: http://www.squatter.org.uk/index.ph...new&catid=7:notes-for-new-squatters&Itemid=44

Well prepared squatters.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

studio flats for students? you'd get a load more students in if it were a propa 'Halls of Residence.'

Nice one anyway, been empty a while,

 

[el-ahrairah]

it's worth noting that the message of welcome is written on the outside of the glass, the notice on the inside. so someone local is pleased to see them!

 

[Onket]

it's worth noting that the message of welcome is written on the outside of the glass, the notice on the inside. so someone local is pleased to see them!

You walk past there every day, you say?!

 

[el-ahrairah]

You walk past there every day, you say?!

heh, not me this time

 

[el-ahrairah]

do i look like a man who uses smileys in graffiti?

 

[Onket]

I have no idea!

 

[ViolentPanda]

A planning application had just been put in for 42 studio flats for students.

Yeah, that seems to be the latest money-spinning wheeze for developers. I'd be interested to see how developers would get "change of use" from business to residential, though.

 

[ajdown]

Why would students want to live in Brixton? Surely somewhere nearer their place of study would be a better idea?

Or is it just more hipsterisation?

 

[el-ahrairah]

Yeah, that seems to be the latest money-spinning wheeze for developers. I'd be interested to see how developers would get "change of use" from business to residential, though.

Well, around here they ask Steve Reed and he says ok then, just this once.

 

[el-ahrairah]

Why would students want to live in Brixton? Surely somewhere nearer their place of study would be a better idea?

Or is it just more hipsterisation?

student digs are very popular money making schemes at the moment for aspiring slum landlords. you can charge almost 200 a week for basically a tiny room. way more profitable than renting out flats.

 

[colacubes]

student digs are very popular money making schemes at the moment for aspiring slum landlords. you can charge almost 200 a week for basically a tiny room. way more profitable than renting out flats.

This is true. That's what the proposal is for the building above Iceland. although I can't remember whether it was ever approved. They originally put in planning for 100s of little flats in there, but it was refused and then they replied for a slightly more reasonable number.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Why would students want to live in Brixton? Surely somewhere nearer their place of study would be a better idea?

Or is it just more hipsterisation?

That's not really very feasible for someone who goes to a City Centre uni.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Why would students want to live in Brixton? Surely somewhere nearer their place of study would be a better idea?

Well there's Camberwell Art College, Southbank University, Kings College and Goldsmiths all within a couple of miles, and I guess there's the attraction of a tube station, loads of nightlife and a Foxton's on the High Street.

 

[colacubes]

Well there's Camberwell Art College, Southbank University, Kings College and Goldsmiths all within a couple of miles, and I guess there's the attraction of a tube station, loads of nightlife and a Foxton's on the High Street.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Well, around here they ask Steve Reed and he says ok then, just this once.

You forgot "...and here's my account number".

 

[Brixton Hatter]

student digs are very popular money making schemes at the moment for aspiring slum landlords. you can charge almost 200 a week for basically a tiny room. way more profitable than renting out flats.

Yep - there's some proposed to be built at Herne Hill, and there's a MASSIVE development going up on the corner of Landor Road/Stockwell Road with hundreds of student flats.

 

[Not a Pleb]

student digs are very popular money making schemes at the moment for aspiring slum landlords. you can charge almost 200 a week for basically a tiny room. way more profitable than renting out flats.

As Crispy would point out, were he here, building student flats reduces the pressure on big family homes that might otherwise be used as shared student housing.

 

[ddraig]

*eyebrow!
and how would you know that?

 

[Crispy]

As Crispy would point out, were he here, building student flats reduces the pressure on big family homes that might otherwise be used as shared student housing.

I had this very thought, but had to rush for my train

 

[paolo]

I'd be interested to see how developers would get "change of use" from business to residential, though.

I'd be surprised if they didn't get change of use.

The building, in a residential road, has failed to attract any business tenants whatsoever since it's one-off venture as a business premises. That would suggest its current designation is not viable.

 

[Manter]

Why would students want to live in Brixton? Surely somewhere nearer their place of study would be a better idea?

Or is it just more hipsterisation?

I have a group of students living next door. They are lovely- charming, friendly, etc etc, but never have parties and 2 drive new Beamers. I knew there were students like that, but never thought I'd meet them in Brixton. Clapham, quite possibly. (And can't help feeling student life is seriously missing something these days....)

 

[leanderman]

The lights are very much on in there - quite a few squatters. After six years of idleness, it is odd, and pleasing, to see the building in use.

I suspect the studio scheme will prevail however, and that is not all bad.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

The lights are very much on in there - quite a few squatters. After six years of idleness, it is odd, and pleasing, to see the building in use.

I suspect the studio scheme will prevail however, and that is not all bad.

Good, the building can't have been there more than 20 years and to have been sitting there doing nothing for six years is ridiculous

 

[el-ahrairah]

As Crispy would point out, were he here, building student flats reduces the pressure on big family homes that might otherwise be used as shared student housing.

true, i hadn't thought of that. and actually that's definitely a good thing around here.

 

[Rushy]

I have a group of students living next door. They are lovely- charming, friendly, etc etc, but never have parties and 2 drive new Beamers. I knew there were students like that, but never thought I'd meet them in Brixton. Clapham, quite possibly. (And can't help feeling student life is seriously missing something these days....)

I guess that once you've taken on tens of K debt for your course and tens more K for living, the price of a Beemer doesn't seem all that extravegant!

 

[Winot]

I guess that once you've taken on tens of K debt for your course and tens more K for living, the price of a Beemer doesn't seem all that extravegant!

Oh come on, ketamine's not that expensive.

 

[billythefish]

Just seen someone putting padlocks on the gates... not sure if it was an owner or a squatter though.