Coldharbour Lane, Brixton - news and updates

[thebackrow]

But badly.
Mind you, have you seen the new Victorian style houses on ... Mandrell? I think. The quality of the frontages is amazing.

They have done a really good job on those (unlike the house that fell into their hole the they had to rebuild where the window sizes, detailing - just everything about it - is off)

The rear of those Mandrell houses is modern - why are we building a retro facade with a modern rear elevation? It would be a lot better if we did't feel the need to ape the style of 130 years ago and built something that looked like it belonged in the 21st century.

 

[Rushy]

They have done a really good job on those (unlike the house that fell into their hole the they had to rebuild where the window sizes, detailing - just everything about it - is off)

The rear of those Mandrell houses is modern - why are we building a retro facade with a modern rear elevation? It would be a lot better if we did't feel the need to ape the style of 130 years ago and built something that looked like it belonged in the 21st century.

I think there is room for both if it is high quality. If you look at some of the recent comments on another thread about The Slip House and neighbouring modern houses only 50m around the corner, not everyone agrees that modern is good. And, frankly, plenty of modern developments are not good.

 

[alex_]

But badly.

Mind you, have you seen the new Victorian style houses on ... Mandrell? I think. The quality of the frontages is amazing.

Equally the new ones at the lyham end of thornbury road, they look the same.

Alex

 

[Gramsci]

The example you are quoting (Flat B 298 Coldhabour Lane) isn't comparable in terms of the property being a wreck.
And still an unconverted house.

If you had access the historical info for 296 would be a better comparator - though not easy to get the information.
I'll show you 296 vs 316, then discuss the history.
View attachment 216669View attachment 216670

296 is next to your example - 298 - but 296 was derelict and also an intestate case.
Lambeth had for years been paying for scaffolding and corrugated iron to keep 296 up. There was even a tree growing in the middle of the house. It was said that there had been a (non fatal) fire and the vulnerable owner had been taken into care for his own protection - leaving the deeds to the property in a building society, unencumbered with a mortgage.

What happened in the end was Lambeth put a charge on the property for £18,000 to pay for the emergency scaffolding and the Crown Solicitor in due course passed ownership to Lambeth, who then sold the derelict house to a builder, who rendered it as you see on the left - in two flats.

I don't know how much Lambeth sold it to the builder for - and this is not possible to find out from Land Resgistry online. If you go to the Land Registry website you can get details of the most recent transaction, and price, for £3.00 or £6.00 if you need the plan as well. I believe there may be a way of getting historical information - but this seems to involve sending in a form, and maybe paying extra.

The picture of 316 Coldharbour on the right was posted by editor in 2013, before "Johnny" put his scaffolding up. I've been through my archives, and just to show you what I'm on about, here is a cropped 1986 black and white photo of the terrace, showing how bad 296 was before it got sorted out, and 298, which was in fair condition. Actually you can see 296 was in a worse condition than 316.

I should just add that the whole terrace was condemned by the council back in the 1960s, and the closure order on the basements was not lifted till the mid 1970s. Obviously a great incentive to 1960s owners to keep everything in good order- prior to anticipated demolition for a motorway.
View attachment 216673

One of the things I like about my stretch of CHL is that gentrification hasn't worked its way up there yet. Walking from Brixton Village past the new hip Laundry, Lexadon flats and hey presto Im back on comfortable ground.

This bit of CHL is interesting mix of home owners and social housing. Why Council own houses on that street Im not clear. Possibly due to the aborted road widening plan that never happened.

Im quite happy living in this slighty scruffy bit of CHL.

I was looking at the Brixton "Liveable" Neighbourhood commonplace website yesterday re the thread on it .

Noticed this comment on how the scruffy Barrier Block is adversly affecting the Nu Brixton business opposite.

Have your say on the future of Brixton

We need your help to make the Brixton area a healthier place, with a thriving town centre, less traffic, cleaner air, more space for people and great for walking and cycling.

brixtonlnmap.commonplace.is

Southwyck House is one of the most iconic buildings in Brixton, yet the green space in front of it is never used by the community and the whole block looks generally unattractive. This could be solved by moving the car wash, making the green space more attractive and bringing some colour to the building's facade which currently is just grim and grey. This would be a great way of involving local artists and making the immediate surrounding of the new Ovalhouse Theatre more attractive. It will also encourage more people to frequent the businesses and restaurants on that stretch of Coldharbour Lane which currently is a much tougher place to do business than the stretch near Brixton Road. For businesses to thrive in this area, the face of Southwyck House will need to change.

That would be the new eateries and cocktail bars. I find comments like this obectionable. If only something could be done about the unsightly sociall housing putting off the new higher income new demographic.

Says it all about what some think a "Livebable" Neighborhood should be aiming for.

Of course some of us were supporting the business before these yuppie business arrived on that bit of CHL. I used the barbers there for years for example.

Thats the problem with all this "Liveable" Neighborhood shit. It was a thriving business area.But not Nu Brixton

newbie - reminds me of what Newbie was talking about on the Liveable Neighborhood thread.

 

[editor]

One of the things I like about my stretch of CHL is that gentrification hasn't worked its way up there yet. Walking from Brixton Village past the new hip Laundry, Lexadon flats and hey presto Im back on comfortable ground.

This bit of CHL is interesting mix of home owners and social housing. Why Council own houses on that street Im not clear. Possibly due to the aborted road widening plan that never happened.

Im quite happy living in this slighty scruffy bit of CHL.

I was looking at the Brixton "Liveable" Neighbourhood commonplace website yesterday re the thread on it .

Noticed this comment on how the scruffy Barrier Block is adversly affecting the Nu Brixton business opposite.

Have your say on the future of Brixton

We need your help to make the Brixton area a healthier place, with a thriving town centre, less traffic, cleaner air, more space for people and great for walking and cycling.

brixtonlnmap.commonplace.is

That would be the new eateries and cocktail bars. I find comments like this obectionable. If only something could be done about the unsightly sociall housing putting off the new higher income new demographic.

Says it all about what some think a "Livebable" Neighborhood should be aiming for.

They can fuck right off with that. I'm all for getting rid of the car wash and replacing it with a continuation of the green space, but I see no reason for the block to be tarted up just so it looks prettier for grazing yups. I can't even find a way to disagree or add my own thoughts about this anonymous comment.



Interestingly enough, the car wash has FINALLY started to tart itself up by painting the railings and putting up bollards to stop cars hogging the pavement (I suspect they've been nudged by the council/police because of the recent accidents).

 

[Gramsci]

They can fuck right off with that. I'm all for getting rid of the car wash and replacing it with a continuation of the green space, but I see no reason for the block to be tarted up just so it looks prettier for grazing yups. I can't even find a way to disagree or add my own thoughts about this anonymous comment.

View attachment 218011

Interestingly enough, the car wash has FINALLY started to tart itself up by painting the railings and putting up bollards to stop cars hogging the pavement (I suspect they've been nudged by the council/police because of the recent accidents).

I was looking up the common place map on CHL for something else and it came up. Trouble is imo that is how the Council think as well.

 

[organicpanda]

as someone who lives opposite I really like having the building as my view, can't see the carwash fortunately

 

[editor]

as someone who lives opposite I really like having the building as my view, can't see the carwash fortunately

I'm slowly working on a story about the block's architect and there's plenty of informed praise online for its striking looks and architecture, so I'll be sure to post that up sooner rather than later if some hairbrained 'let's Yup Up The Block' plans start dribbling out. The notion that the area has to change to accommodate the incoming shiny new Ovalhouse Theatre winds me up a treat.

 

[Gramsci]

I'm slowly working on a story about the block's architect and there's plenty of informed praise online for its striking looks and architecture, so I'll be sure to post that up sooner rather than later if some hairbrained 'let's Yup Up The Block' plans start dribbling out. The notion that the area has to change to accommodate the incoming shiny new Ovalhouse Theatre winds me up a treat.

I dont blame Ovalhouse for this.

The comment is interesting as it see any improvements to Brixton being let down by its unsighty past- the social housing of the Barrier Block.

Ovalhouse have the best intentions.

However as this comment shows culture is a class issue. Theatre is for the new demographic who use the cocktail bars.

The comment on the common place "Liveable Neighborhood" shows how something like Theatre is for the better off.

This actually is something that Ovalhouse as an organisation have been working against for years.

But that someone can post this up as a comment with no irony shows how far this country needs to go to be an equal society.

 

[editor]

I dont blame Ovalhouse for this.

The comment is interesting as it see any improvements to Brixton being let down by its unsighty past- the social housing of the Barrier Block.

Ovalhouse have the best intentions.

However as this comment shows culture is a class issue. Theatre is for the new demographic who use the cocktail bars.

The comment on the common place "Liveable Neighborhood" shows how something like Theatre is for the better off.

This actually is something that Ovalhouse as an organisation have been working against for years.

But that someone can post this up as a comment with no irony shows how far this country needs to go to be an equal society.

I don't blame them either, but this was always my fear when the theatre plans were announced. I'm sure Ovalhouse will do their best to provide an accessible platform but local developers will be keen to jump on this as further proof of the gentrification of Brixton, with the ensuing sky rocketing rents along the road.

I believe the Laundry were so quick to position themselves and their godawful south facing poor people watching terrace for this opportunity too. Go to the theatre and then shuffle across the road to graze and booze away in an exclusive restaurant for the better off.

 

[editor]

The cops are mixing it with the Barrier Block drinkers again.

 

[CH1]

Gramsci editor re comments on the Have Your Say on the Future of Brixton map - not me your honor.

That said the first 3 sentences (which you have not enboldened) seemed absolutely OK.
Even the last bit could be totally ok - depending on what they mean and what you bring to it.

If you considered the side streets of Brixton one of the stories is what to do with derelict and unviable shops.
I would say we are lucky to have a shopping parade which still serves a purpose - or did until Coronavid-19.

On the car wash front - you will recall that I did a mini campaign on this, leading into the 2014 council election. Didn't do much good, but the issue seemed highlighted to the point where when editor complained about gross advertising signage, the council enforcement officer negotiated it away.

From the information that came to light in 2013/14 it does seem likely that unless the council rezones the land to public open space the car wash will ultimately end up as a block of private flats.

If people were interested in the issues, it might be good to invite local councillors to some sort of discussion about how the space should be used in future. [post cv-19] As a non-Labour Party member I have no idea what Emma Nye and Scarlet O'Hara think about our built and non-built environment. Donatus is probably not worth consulting. He would simply offer to email Helen Hayes.

 

[editor]

From the information that came to light in 2013/14 it does seem likely that unless the council rezones the land to public open space the car wash will ultimately end up as a block of private flats.

I think they'll have a hell of a fight on for that given the massive increase in residential property in the area....

 

[thebackrow]

I think they'll have a hell of a fight on for that given the massive increase in residential property in the area....

Whats the history of the car wash site? Streetview only goes back to 2009 but do I remember it being a petrol station back in the day? most of these car wash sites were and it would explain the two entrances and concrete.

edit - should have just googled Southwyck Gardens and Car Wash
Amazing how quickly you forget what was in a place once things change.

 

[editor]

Whats the history of the car wash site? Streetview only goes back to 2009 but do I remember it being a petrol station back in the day? most of these car wash sites were and it would explain the two entrances and concrete.

edit - should have just googled Southwyck Gardens and Car Wash
Amazing how quickly you forget what was in a place once things change.

The car wash gang are real pros

Cowboys ahoy! Shoddy workmanship on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton -

Long term residents of Coldharbour Lane, Brixton have watched with some dismay as the site of the old Texaco garage has been employed for all manner of ad hoc activities over recent months. These have included an al fresco drinking space, public toilet, drug dealing hotspot, stolen car drop-off...

www.urban75.org

Here was the illegal billboard - Coldharbour Lane, Brixton SW9: big ugly billboard goes up. Is it legal?

And then there was the police raid - Brixton Coldharbour Lane raid: riot police arrest car wash workers and suspected street dealers

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

I remember it being a Texaco I think even that had a few variations on how the space around it was laid out.

 

[thebackrow]

And then there was the police raid - Brixton Coldharbour Lane raid: riot police arrest car wash workers and suspected street dealers

I was living on Coldharbour Lane then - there were a lot of Police vehicles for that raid...

 

[editor]

I was living on Coldharbour Lane then - there were a lot of Police vehicles for that raid...

Funny thing was, a few years back the place was awash with really transparent dealing and they were pretty much left alone.

 

[CH1]

I think they'll have a hell of a fight on for that given the massive increase in residential property in the area....

Isn't the carwash site on a lease from the council though? That was also an issue when they tried to split the site in two.

 

[CH1]

I remember it being a Texaco I think even that had a few variations on how the space around it was laid out.

It had one of those small garage cigarette and grocery shops where you paid for your petrol. Open all, night I think.
Much smaller than the Tesco Express/Esso one on Brixton Road though.

 

[CH1]

Whats the history of the car wash site? Streetview only goes back to 2009 but do I remember it being a petrol station back in the day? most of these car wash sites were and it would explain the two entrances and concrete.

edit - should have just googled Southwyck Gardens and Car Wash
Amazing how quickly you forget what was in a place once things change.

Here is a picture of the site when the garage was demolished

 

[editor]

Appears to be another major incident outside the Barrier Block with multiple police cars, helicopter overhead and a large part of the street blocked off.

 

[xsunnysuex]

Appears to be another major incident outside the Barrier Block with multiple police cars, helicopter overhead and a large part of the street blocked off.

Word is someone's been shot. I did hear what sounded like gun shots.

 

[organicpanda]

Appears to be another major incident outside the Barrier Block with multiple police cars, helicopter overhead and a large part of the street blocked off.

edit shit that's bad if true

 

[editor]

Word is someone's been shot. I did hear what sounded like gun shots.

Yeah I heard that too but there seemed to be too many of them so I assumed that they were fireworks, followed by a lot of shouting from a party on Moorlands Estate.

 

[Cold Harbour]

Also huge block party in Loughborough Junction, tons of cops and helicopter here too

 

[editor]

Kicking off in the back of the block again now. Coldharbour Lane is still taped off too.

 

[Chiggy]

Kicking off in the back of the block again now. Coldharbour Lane is still taped off too.

Whats happend?

 

[editor]

Whats happend?

No idea yet. Locks like people are going a bit post-lockdown party crazy.

 

[paul mckenna]

Shithole