Brixton news, rumour and general chat - January 2015

[CH1]

It was "advertised" in last week's "Lambeth Weekender" (just checked it and the SLP).

Doesn't give much notice then. I've done my duty now, so there is at least 1 public comment!

 

[editor]

How about this for brightening up the Prince of Wales?
View attachment 66855 View attachment 66856
14/06661/ADV | Installation of 10x LED advertising boards to the upper floors. | 467 Brixton Road London SW9 8HH
Was chatting to a concerned friend looking at a response for the Brixton Society, and he noticed there are no public responses on the council's webite - possibly because it has not been advertised (as far as we know).
Official deadline for comment is tomorrow, 26th January.

I'm thinking about starting a thread on this and the other mega advertising we've had and will no doubt get in future.

Meanwhile, the applicant for the above scheme says it will enhance the area, and advises: " ...it is considered that the site context is similar to Piccadilly Circus or Old Street roundabout........The nature of Brixton Town Centre is very much a dynamic and vibrant commercial and retail hub where such a proposal would not be out of place."

Let me get that on Buzz ASAP!

 

[Belushi]

bloody hell

 

[editor]

Is this designed to be temporary while the buildings works are going on or permanent?

 

[friendofdorothy]

I'm objecting. It's hideous.

 

[CH1]

Yeah, was just looking it up myself as I thought it was.
http://lambeth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/pl-CA26Brixton240412.pdf
I know that the advertising hoarding above Iceland is only temporary whilst the developer "works" on the building (not much evidence of that) and I think I saw some discussion that the hoarding above H&M hasn't got permission, but if it has again it will only be temporary whilst the Premier Inn is being built (which there seems to be some movement on as they've been granted a rolling road closure on Electric Lane for lifting stuff in place over the next 18 months). Even then those are static advertisements so I just can't see how there's any precedence for this nonsense.

I just popped out to check, but I can confirm that the Iceland sign has been taken down (I think it went a few weeks ago). I guess the student residences are nearing completion.

The one above H & M is very worrying. It has been discussed on here already.
Permission for that one was refused on 16th December 2014, but they put it up anyway. The frame mountings for the advert are inserted into the stonework facade causing permanent damage. And the naff looking floodlights reach down from the parapet - though maybe these have not cause structural damage.

 

[editor]

Article here: Massive LED advertising billboard proposed for Brixton Road – deadline for comments is 26th Jan

 

[Crispy]

Not a chance this will pass

 

[editor]

Not a chance this will pass

View attachment 66861

It's almost like an April Fool's story. It is a bit worrying that this seemed to slip under the radar though.

 

[EastEnder]

I have an inexplicable craving for something tasty & sugar coated....

 

[Tricky Skills]

Wow!!! What lovely photo's. The colours are really sharp. What camera do you use?

That's very kind - thanks.

I'm still shooting with a Sony F717 - it first came on the market in 2002! I got my inspiration from, um, over here.

The benefits of the camera include an incredibly powerful Carl Zeiss lens. The downside is that Sony admits to a tech error.

This model originally retailed for £600. It is now possible to pick these up on eBay for under £50. Tech error aside, I have so much faith in this camera that I simply replace, as and when the error surfaces.

 

[colacubes]

I just popped out to check, but I can confirm that the Iceland sign has been taken down (I think it went a few weeks ago). I guess the student residences are nearing completion.

The one above H & M is very worrying. It has been discussed on here already.
Permission for that one was refused on 16th December 2014, but they put it up anyway. The frame mountings for the advert are inserted into the stonework facade causing permanent damage. And the naff looking floodlights reach down from the parapet - though maybe these have not cause structural damage.

The student residences above Iceland are nowhere near completion. They put in a few new window frames on the Electric Ave side just before the original hoarding went up. Then nowt. There's been no work inside or out for the best part of a year.

 

[editor]

That's very kind - thanks.

I'm still shooting with a Sony F717 - it first came on the market in 2002! I got my inspiration from, um, over here.

The benefits of the camera include an incredibly powerful Carl Zeiss lens. The downside is that Sony admits to a tech error.

This model originally retailed for £600. It is now possible to pick these up on eBay for under £50. Tech error aside, I have so much faith in this camera that I simply replace, as and when the error surfaces.

The lens on that camera is fantastic and the swivelling mechanism means that you can capture some unusual angles. For £50 it's an absolute bargain.

 

[DietCokeGirl]

Just registered my objection. That thing is bloody minging (no, that's not what I wrote).

 

[editor]

I was DJing at the Dogstar last night. It was blooming busy.

 

[ricbake]

WTAF

I'll stick in an objection to that monster Is it not part of the Conservation zone ffs?

Objection posted - that's 5 this afternoon

 

[DietCokeGirl]

Incidentally, this is a good example of the work The Brixton Society do, and it's a only 8 quid a year to join, less for unwaged I think. So even if you don't want to actively participate, for the cost of a posh Burger it's a good cause to support, even if you just think of it as a donation towards photocopying or whatever.

 

[ricbake]

Article here: Massive LED advertising billboard proposed for Brixton Road – deadline for comments is 26th Jan

And guess who the owner of the building is - our civic minded Crown Properties (GB) aka Golfrate

 

[CH1]

And guess who the owner of the building is - our civic minded Crown Properties (GB) aka Golfrate

Actually those people can be ruthless I hear - didn't they close down the only gay pub in Lewisham after buying the place from Admiral Inns and hiking the rent?

edited to add source

 

[editor]

Actually those people can be ruthless I hear - didn't they close down the only gay pub in Lewisham after buying the place from Admiral Inns and hiking the rent?

edited to add source

If you type Golfrate into Google, this is the number 2 result:
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/anyone-know-anything-about-golfrate.177470/

They're also behind the proposal to turn Barnados and Mothercare into a large restaurant.

Edit: this article makes me shudder: "...the pub portfolio will provide added value/redevelopment opportunities for Golfrate "
http://www.costar.co.uk/en/assets/n...loses-20m-whole-loan-for-20-strong-portfolio/

 

[editor]

I think the postings here and the Brixton Buzz article have helped bump up the objections on the Lambeth site - there's now ten listed. Good work CH1 for finding this!

I'll retweet the story in the morning too for maximum coverage.

 

[CH1]

If you type Golfrate into Google, this is the number 2 result:
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/anyone-know-anything-about-golfrate.177470/

They're also behind the proposal to turn Barnados and Mothercare into a large restaurant.

Edit: this article makes me shudder: "...the pub portfolio will provide added value/redevelopment opportunities for Golfrate "
http://www.costar.co.uk/en/assets/n...loses-20m-whole-loan-for-20-strong-portfolio/

They don't seem to actually develop or create anything do they? Just take out loans to buy properties and milk the tenants - a bit like buy-to-let "entrepreneurs".

 

[CH1]

I think the postings here and the Brixton Buzz article have helped bump up the objections on the Lambeth site - there's now ten listed. Good work CH1 for finding this!

I'll retweet the story in the morning too for maximum coverage.

I must thank people who have taken the trouble to put in objections on the Lambeth Planning website. It has gone from zero public comment to ten submissions in six hours. Shows that Urban 75 has much stronger local liaison than Lambeth Planning IMHO!

 

[FridgeMagnet]

They don't seem to actually develop or create anything do they? Just take out loans to buy properties and milk the tenants - a bit like buy-to-let "entrepreneurs".

But I'm sure they work jolly hard at doing absolutely nothing useful. It's not like being a parasite is easy you know.

 

[ricbake]

October 17, 2014
Golfrate, the London-based property management company, has acquired an 11-strong package of pubs, the majority of which are owned by Punch Taverns, in a deal funded by a new £20m loan

“Golfrate has built a strong reputation in the successful acquisition, re-positioning and management of single assets and portfolios in London. We are very pleased to have worked with them on this transaction and look forward to continuing as one of their lending partners.

Hussein Aziz from Golfrate, added: “This is our 10th portfolio acquisition within the leisure sector since 2010 bringing our ownership of freehold and long leasehold public houses in London to over 180 individual assets.

 

[editor]

October 17, 2014
Golfrate, the London-based property management company, has acquired an 11-strong package of pubs, the majority of which are owned by Punch Taverns, in a deal funded by a new £20m loan

I think they own the Windmill too.

 

[friendofdorothy]

Objection posted - that's 5 this afternoon

Grrrrr. I typed in a big long objection on the Lambeth site, but when I tried to post it - it told me I was timed out, arrgh!
Trying again.

 

[editor]

Sixteen objections now.

I object to this monstrous board of hell.

 

[ricbake]

I think they own the Windmill too.

also Lost Society, Wandsworth Road and I can't find where I read it but I'm sure they are the Landlord of the Fridge

 

[editor]

I must thank people who have taken the trouble to put in objections on the Lambeth Planning website. It has gone from zero public comment to ten submissions in six hours. Shows that Urban 75 has much stronger local liaison than Lambeth Planning IMHO!

With this kind of blue sky hyperlocal stakeholder engagement we should be getting a big fat grant or something.