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Save Brixton Arches - PLEASE lodge your objection before 10th March

For some reason not all the comments are being made public. I have no idea what this means but it seems submissions still go through.
 
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Another 20 have been posted since my last post :)

PN3: Limiting the proportion of restaurant/ bar/ takeaway uses (A3/A4/A5 use classes) in major centres. At least 60% of the units should remain mainstream retail (class A1) and Network Rail's proposals disrupt this balance;

ED6: Seeking to retain smaller shop units and at affordable rents - Network Rail's proposals do not meet this policy.
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I've just been reading through, being nosey to find out what people say. I don't trust Lambeth's ability to count. My own objection appears twice, but I only submitted it once; one of the supporting comments also appears twice.


Since somebody came up with the formula in the quote above, many objections take that form, but even so an awful lot of people have put heartfelt explanations of their views.

Which are very interesting. I'm really pleased how many people are against the proliferation of eating & drinking establishments, from the endless discussion on here about the relative merits of different pubs/cafes/clubs I thought it was just me that would like to see the back of most of them.

Anyway, it's also interesting what those who support the application have to say. As I was going through I've collected them up, there are only 5 with anything substantial to say. About the same number as pressed Support when they meant Object. I think it's reasonable to conclude this development is overwhelmingly opposed.



(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Wed 09 Mar 2016
I object.
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Wed 09 Mar 2016
I strongly object to these refurbishments it will suck the cultural lifeblood out of Brixton . Listen too the locals!!!
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Wed 09 Mar 2016
Save Brixton Arches. Currently there is a good mix of independent businesses serving the diverse community that lives, works and visits Brixton. We can have all that we need in Brixton but we need to support from Lambeth Council: Please don't destroy Brixton Arches xxxxxxxxxxx
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Tue 08 Mar 2016
The arches are in a great need of repair and are very run down. This proposal will greatly improve the environment in Brixton and I am in full support. There is a hardcore contingent of activists that do not speak for the whole community and I urge the planning committee to consider the people that do support this proposal but do not speak out in fear of being shouted down. I am a long term resident in Brixton and believe that this proposal will help to generate more business opportunities in the long term and help to secure the future of Brixton as a thriving centre in London.
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Tue 08 Mar 2016
I think this redevelopment of a very run down part of Brixton town centre will be an important part of the ongoing regeneration of the area, and should be supported.

Whilst the redevelopment of the arches has become quite emotive for a handfull of local activists, and many others who do not live in the area, utimately the arches as they currently stand generally support a number of businesses that add little amenity to the area.

Network Rail is trying to improve the station and its environs, attract new investment and businesses with the potential to grow - the Council should support this application.
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Tue 08 Mar 2016
I wholeheartedly support this planning application in light of the following policies from the Lambeth Local Plan:

PN3: Usage of the units - As leading professional landlords, Network Rail understands their potential tenant mix and where market driven demand will be strongest. Their proposals will, I think, enhance all aspects of planning consideration and add well needed income to the local economy.

ED6: Seeking to retain smaller shop units and at affordable rents - Network Rail's proposals do meet this policy, with rental increases slowly being lifted to true market rates - a very considerate approach.

I have lived in this area for many years now and have seen the face of Brixton change for the better. Safety has improved on the streets, the area has retained its cultural heritage, just walk down the high street and you will see this.

The improvements to the arches will bring quality commercial property to central Brixton. This evolution of the commercial property ( commercial being the key word) can only benefit the asthetic and the community.

Many people are striving to retain the current mix of tenants, i note that some of the shops offer money lending and cash for gold at rates that are extortionate.

Brixton sorely needs this rejuvenation. Time cannot stand still.

New commercial property will bring new job opportunities, look at the benefit claimant rates, our community needs jobs, the redevelopment will bring construction jobs, maintenance jobs and jobs from the existing and new tenants. This multiplier effect will also encourage new business into the area.

I think that this is a great scheme, which if approved will bring opportunity and benefit the diversity of Brixton. The physical environment will be improved, the positive impact will be felt over a long period of time

Finally, it is possible that many people silently support this scheme and have not been cajoled into objecting via action groups.
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Mon 07 Mar 2016
Not Available
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Mon 07 Mar 2016
I support this planning application.

The arches are in dire need of improvement. The arrival into Brixton from the train (not tube) after work is an intimidating experience - the passageway and entrances are dark, very dirty and groups of people hang around and smoke recreational drugs there. I don't know of any other station in London like this and scared is not how I should feel when coming back from work to my home town!

I fully support local businesses and would like the current tenants to be accommodated. However, this should not stop the area from improving itself - frankly Brixton is in a mess at the moment and the council and property owners like network rail should be doing more to clean up and improve. Can a condition of the planning be a commitment for network rail to contribute towards litter/street cleaning in the area?

I support the change is use classes to the listed units if that is what it's going to take to regenerate the area and bring people out to improve the atmosphere. At the moment everything is boarded up behind shutters, dark, dirty and intimidating.

Market forces and the reality of life in London dictate that rents will rise. The authorities/network rail should just be upfront about this - rent at market rate is acceptable. However, instead of sidestepping the inevitable, plans should be made now to give support to tenants who cannot afford the new rent.

I also support the planned new passage way to improve circulation of pedestrians and opening up the area. The pavements on the main road and ridiculously over crowded and cannot cope with people and litter levels. (As an aside, who approved the extension of the San Marino outdoor seating area taking up most of the pavement on Brixton Road? This is a real pedestrian pinch point and outdoor seating on London's most polluted road is unnecessary at best, a health hazard at worst).

I do not support the suggestion for a graffiti mural. The area needs to be cleaned up and welcoming and this does not achieve this. See also the recent criticism of the refurbished-graffitied McDonald's in Brixton.

Overall, I support the improvement of this area. It needs it.
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^^^ that one seems to have been submitted twice

(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Fri 26 Feb 2016
I am not a local but visit my daughter who does live in Brixton. To me the area looks very run down and in definite need of modernization. I believe it is important to mix old values with the new. A safe clean environment is important for all.
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Fri 26 Feb 2016
This is long overdue and will benefit the local area greatly
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(Supports)
Comment submitted date: Thu 18 Feb 2016
I am broadly in favour of this refurbishment, however I think it is disappointing that it could not have been done in a more considerate fashion. Ultimately, it is clear that the majority of these businesses will not find alternative temporary sites whilst the work is being done and that means they will leave the area forever most probably.

I think the design of the new arches are great and the idea of a walkthrough from BSR to AR is key to alleviating footfall under the bridge on BR.

Hopefully Lambeth Council can get their act together and sort out the public realm. Atlantic Road should be a one-way bus gate and access only road. No cars should be allowed to use it. It should be a given over primarily to pedestrians.
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^^^ that was the very first comment made.
 
editor said:
Nearly 550 people have clicked through to the planning document straight from the Brixton Buzz articles, so I'm well chuffed that we've managed to have an impact.
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That's excellent, tho it makes it all the more frustrating that, as you pointed out to me yesterday, it's probably ultimately futile.
 
discobastard said:
For some reason not all the comments are being made public. I have no idea what this means but it seems submissions still go through.
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It may depend on how one puts the comments up. I did it directly onto the website so they go up automatically. Some people may still be writing it snail mail.
 
We can scream and shout, protest on the streets, sign petitions and email councillors. Lambeth seems to have everything decided in advance of consultations: closing libraries, building luxury flats and that useless private Bojo Garden bridge. Sorry, I'm feeling low today.
 
Tropi said:
We can scream and shout, protest on the streets, sign petitions and email councillors. Lambeth seems to have everything decided in advance of consultations: closing libraries, building luxury flats and that useless private Bojo Garden bridge. Sorry, I'm feeling low today.
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Of course they decide in advance- they announced the decision about Cressingham Gardens being demolished before it's been presented to cabinet for ratification.
Pretty bald exercises of contempt for local democracy, and one reason I'll be following my local councillors about during the next local election with a "this person is the problem, not the cure" sign.
 
ViolentPanda said:
Of course they decide in advance- they announced the decision about Cressingham Gardens being demolished before it's been presented to cabinet for ratification.
Pretty bald exercises of contempt for local democracy, and one reason I'll be following my local councillors about during the next local election with a "this person is the problem, not the cure" sign.
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Great write up today in 'Time Out ' about the Arches it keeps up the pressure on NR & Lambeth we hope !
 
LeslieB said:
When is the next election in Lambeth, and who do you advocate voting for instead?
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Planning application to be heard 2nd August 2016 at Karibu Centre , 7 Gresham Road SW9 7PH .
Network Rail has served notice for Arches to be fully vacated on August 19th SHAME ON YOU !
 
"18 of the 21 existing tenants have indicated their desire to return to a redeveloped unit. '

Not bad if true?
 
Carpet man said:
Planning application to be heard 2nd August 2016 at Karibu Centre , 7 Gresham Road SW9 7PH .
Network Rail has served notice for Arches to be fully vacated on August 19th SHAME ON YOU !
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I got that today. The officers recommendation is to grant permission. Appears that NR are assuming it will be passed.

If any shopkeepers or interested individuals want to speak they need to follow the instructions in the email to email "Democratic Services" at least a day before the meeting. It would be good if some of the shopkeepers will do this. Committee is likely to follow officers recommendations. But can add provisos. Also as its public its good to use the committee meeting to make sure its reported that this "regeneration" is contested.

Speaking at the meeting is a right but is time limited to 3 minutes.

It would be worth encouraging as many of the public to come along to the meeting as a show of strength of feeling. Even if they do not want to speak.

editor can you publicise the meeting on Brixton Buzz asking people to go along to show support for the shopkeepers?
 
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Gramsci said:
I got that today. The officers recommendation is to grant permission. Appears that NR are assuming it will be passed.

If any shopkeepers or interested individuals want to speak they need to follow the instructions in the email to email "Democratic Services" at least a day before the meeting. It would be good if some of the shopkeepers will do this. Committee is likely to follow officers recommendations. But can add provisos. Also as its public its good to use the committee meeting to make sure its reported that this "regeneration" is contested.

Speaking at the meeting is a right but is time limited to 3 minutes.

It would be worth encouraging as many of the public to come along to the meeting as a show of strength of feeling. Even if they do not want to speak.

editor can you publicise the meeting on Brixton Buzz asking people to go along to show support for the shopkeepers?
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Maybe we should ask Lambeth to insist work is carried out in stages to avoid a dead zone being created in the town centre which will have a major knock on effect to all the other shops and stores in the Town ? Is that asking too much of the Planning Committee ?
 
Carpet man said:
Maybe we should ask Lambeth to insist work is carried out in stages to avoid a dead zone being created in the town centre which will have a major knock on effect to all the other shops and stores in the Town ? Is that asking too much of the Planning Committee ?
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Im not sure. Its definitely worth asking. The committee has legal advisor present to give advice.

Planning Committee is supposed to be independent of the Council leadership. With Cllrs taking decisions on basis of planning regulations. Not on what the leadership prefer. Would be interesting to know if any Cllrs are going to attend to support or oppose the application. That is Hopkins and Coldharbour Ward Cllrs.

The Committee has three options. Refuse, Grant and knock back for reasons of lack of detail etc.

Committee can also grant but put in "advisory" comments that do not have the full force of planning regulations.

This application is a "political" one. The planning committee is dominated by Labour Cllrs as seats are split up between how many Cllrs parties have. So your suggestion is definitely worth putting forward. If anything NR can be made to appear unreasonable.These meetings are public and minuted.

BTW any promises that NR make re return of existing tenants , alternative premises and how much rent is raised are not substantive planning issues. Its PR. They could retract them once they have planning approval with no come back. So Im sure they will be at the meeting saying all the support they will give long standing shopkeepers. It means nothing.
 
Gramsci said:
I got that today. The officers recommendation is to grant permission. Appears that NR are assuming it will be passed.

If any shopkeepers or interested individuals want to speak they need to follow the instructions in the email to email "Democratic Services" at least a day before the meeting. It would be good if some of the shopkeepers will do this. Committee is likely to follow officers recommendations. But can add provisos. Also as its public its good to use the committee meeting to make sure its reported that this "regeneration" is contested.

Speaking at the meeting is a right but is time limited to 3 minutes.

It would be worth encouraging as many of the public to come along to the meeting as a show of strength of feeling. Even if they do not want to speak.

editor can you publicise the meeting on Brixton Buzz asking people to go along to show support for the shopkeepers?
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Just to make a point about speaking, every meeting I've attended this year has curtailed speakers to two minutes rather than 3, and usually cut the number of speakers.
 
Someone could perhaps PM posters our of London with a more local postcode and address, for those that are interested, please?
 
stuff_it said:
Someone could perhaps PM posters our of London with a more local postcode and address, for those that are interested, please?
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I refer to my recent letter acknowledging your comments on this proposal and I can now inform you that the application is due to be considered by the Council’s Planning Applications Committee on 2 August 2016 at Karibu Centre, 7 Gresham Road, SW9 7PH.


The recommendation for this application is to Minded to Grant Permission. A summary of your comments and any others received will be reported to the Committee, which you are also welcome to attend.

Regards, Lambeth Planning
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