Council plan to redevelop Somerleyton road/ Ovalhouse Theatre to move to the site.

[Gramsci]

Exactly, it just reeks of, literally, pulling a fast one.

Its to do with Ovalhouse having to get this grant application in by April.

That however is not residents problem.

But I do not see why the rest of the site has to consulted on straight away. (The South end.)

 

[Gramsci]

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

Hi Saffron. Welcome to Urban.

See ur using real name. Talked to one of your co- workers at the event.

She said something about using "deliberative" discussion. Used in South America. I may have got this wrong. Can u explain more please?

Also what will be purpose of the conversations and workshops? What is the intended end result? How do you think it may be used? Will it be discussion / background final report or are you intending to set out actual plans? What is the relationship with Brixton Green and the Council?

Not everyone can make meetings. In particular when there are to many at once. As is happening with the Somerleyton road project. Do you think you can use social media and internet more?

Also some of us have had a lot of "consultation" in the past and are wary of it. How will you overcome this?

Also the event today can u put up online somewhere your findings from event and how many people turned up. Also how u ran it?

That turned into big list. Hope u do not mind.

 

[Gramsci]

I am concerned that the mural is not going to get much light and I am not clear about how well it will be seen from ground level.

 

[Gramsci]

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.

.

Hi Ovalhouse. The recent proposals are on here now.

#53 and here on Eds blog post

Can you explain the thinking behind them?

Also Carlton Mansions is labelled as business units. Why is this?

I do not like the block of flats above the theatre. I do not think that they are suitable place to put flats. Nor does the height and mass of the flats fit in with the rest of the corner. They impose on the theatre building. Which should be the architectural focus of that corner. Along with Carlton Mansions.

 

[Saffron]

Hello

Thanks for your message and the long list is fine! I will respond to one or two points now and make sure we answer all your questions this week.

First thing to say is thank you to everyone who came to talk to us. We really appreciate your time and are very conscious that many people have already taken part in conversations, events and consultations. We will be running a series of workshops and more detailed discussions in the next few weeks. Before we organise these we will make sure that the overall purpose of the discussions, the aims of each event, and the timetable are all clearly explained. More importantly, we will make sure that we explain clearly what the discussions will feed into and will be as open and clear as we can about the documents and plans that will result, and, who these are intended to inform and influence.

We will be setting up a blog in the next couple of days (as I explained to a few people on Saturday) that will record the feedback from Saturday and the forthcoming discussions. We know workshops and meetings don't suit everyone so we will be using the blog, twitter and posts on forums like this one to share the discussions as widely as possible. The purpose of the blog is to share what people are saying and hear from people who can't join the workshops.

I will post a bit more later this week (if that's okay) about the deliberative workshop process, dates, themes etc. Also I will post up a link to the blog and feedback from the weekend in the next day or so.

I hope that's okay for now. Best wishes, Saffron

Hi Saffron. Welcome to Urban.

See ur using real name. Talked to one of your co- workers at the event.

She said something about using "deliberative" discussion. Used in South America. I may have got this wrong. Can u explain more please?

Also what will be purpose of the conversations and workshops? What is the intended end result? How do you think it may be used? Will it be discussion / background final report or are you intending to set out actual plans? What is the relationship with Brixton Green and the Council?

Not everyone can make meetings. In particular when there are to many at once. As is happening with the Somerleyton road project. Do you think you can use social media and internet more?

Also some of us have had a lot of "consultation" in the past and are wary of it. How will you overcome this?

Also the event today can u put up online somewhere your findings from event and how many people turned up. Also how u ran it?

That turned into big list. Hope u do not mind.

 

[Gramsci]

I looked up the Brixton Masterplan, as Somerleyton road is covered in pages 134-147.

Also this drawing from the Masteplan showing massing, theatre and ecological strip alongside railway line. Also "green" roofs on the new blocks. This all differs from the recent drawings. See page 143 for these this drawing below from the Brixton Masterplan:

Notice the different layout and massing to the recent ones shown in Eds blog

from page 144 of the original Brixton Masterplan. Highlighted sections which do not seem to be mentioned or appear in the recent architects drawings. Or the recent drawings radically differ from the Masterplans vision.


"5.4.8 somerleyton community Hub
Somerleyton Road is highlighted as one of the masterplan’s key moves. This area is to be extensively reconfigured to create an exemplar of:
Sustainable living
Affordable workshop typologies
Community infrastructure provision.
The northern part of Somerleyton Road is proposed to house a major cultural facility, with associated workspaces, outdoor performance areas and café facility. This feature will act as a beacon to draw movement into Somerleyton Road, whilst forging a strong relationship to Brixton Village and adjacent retail provision, creating a vibrant neighbourhood centre. A new public space adjacent to Carlton
Mansions will provide a courtyard area for this cultural facility. This space further creates a viewing area for the Carlton Mansions mural, whilst also opening up a view corridor along the new ecological strip adjacent to the railway line. Directly to the south of the cultural facility, a three storey workspace building with upper level residential uses acts as a hub for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and creative and cultural industries (CCIs). Flexible format workspace should be provided creating grow-in/grow-on space for small and medium sized businesses and local creative industries, with close connections to local training and educational facilities.
To the south-east along Somerleyton Road, ground floor affordable workshop typologies create an enlivened streetscape with increased levels of activity. Deep pavement setbacks allow for on street parking, spill out spaces and public realm improvements. Workspaces will be configured such that quieter uses will be located with relationship to Somerleyton Road, with more noisy and heavy works located to the rear. Upper level residential space will maximise the potential of these sites, whilst providing overlook to the street.
A multi-use community facility is proposed as facility to serve the local community and services in the area. This hub will house education and training uses, with connections to Lambeth College,
Hillmead Primary School and the emerging Evelyn Grace Academy. This facility will be located facing Adelaide Close. To the south of the hub a neighbourhood energy centre will serve the local area, integrated into a designated residential block. It is vital that the main regeneration zones of the town centre are equipped with district energy infrastructure. Individual energy technologies such as solar heating, PV cells and ground source heating are expected to be developed as part of each site’s design response to energy and sustainability needs.
The public realm is articulated by a patterning of green wedges leading off an ecological park which runs alongside the railway embankment. This space provides recreation area, alongside potential allotments and playspaces."

 

[Brixton Hatter]

What does turning Carlton Mansions into 'business units' mean for the people living there?

 

[Gramsci]

Hello

Thanks for your message and the long list is fine! I will respond to one or two points now and make sure we answer all your questions this week.

We know workshops and meetings don't suit everyone so we will be using the blog, twitter and posts on forums like this one to share the discussions as widely as possible. The purpose of the blog is to share what people are saying and hear from people who can't join the workshops.

I will post a bit more later this week (if that's okay) about the deliberative workshop process, dates, themes etc. Also I will post up a link to the blog and feedback from the weekend in the next day or so.

I hope that's okay for now. Best wishes, Saffron

Thanks for this Saffron. I look forward to more posts from you answering rest of questions.

It is good that you will also use internet to get peoples views/ relay info as its not also easy for people to attend meetings due to other commitments.

Read the piece on the Moorlands estate on your website.

 

[editor]

What does turning Carlton Mansions into 'business units' mean for the people living there?

 

[Gramsci]

What does turning Carlton Mansions into 'business units' mean for the people living there?

In short the people living there will go.

Carlton Mansions is going to be redeveloped at some point as part of the scheme. It is locally listed. The question is how this is done and what it ends up as at the end of it.

The Council have said that they want to keep the mural. Also keep and restore the front brickwork and keep the side by the railway. Thus keeping the streetscape.

My personal bottom line is that it does not end up in the hands of Barratts to end up as swanky flats.

Cannot say I am that happy to already see it labelled as business units. Would like a say in this.

Business units for what? Are they to be affordable? What about studio space for creative people and artists?

The Brixton Masterplan acknowledges that this part of Brixton has a historical heritage of arts. There is less and less affordable space for artists and creative people in Brixton.

Here is excerpt from page 134 of the Brixton Masterplan

The Somerleyton Road area has a rich social and cultural heritage.
The area was home to the first Windrush settlers, and as such
became the initial settling point for Brixton’s Caribbean community.
The 1981 Brixton riots, starting around Railton Road, marked a low
point in the area’s history, highlighting issues of economic and social
inequality.

This part of Coldharbour Lane is home to a rich history of ‘short-life’
and squatter settlements, densely populated by Brixton’s artistic
community. Carlton Mansions is a lasting legacy of Brixton’s short-
life settlement, displaying a large exterior mural as homage to the
building’s artistic and creative community. Adjacent sites were also
the initial homes of movements such as Cooltan Arts and Reclaim
the Streets and Southwyck House is well known for it’s role in the
area’s squatter and short-life movements. There are currently no
formal cultural facilities in the study area, however a number of
collectives still exist with links to the short-life and arts movements.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

In short the people living there will go.

I don't want to get into people's personal situations and tenure details etc, but presumably Lambeth would be offering to rehouse people in the immediate area?

 

[Gramsci]

I don't want to get into people's personal situations and tenure details etc, but presumably Lambeth would be offering to rehouse people in the immediate area?

Thanks for concern Hatter but its not something I am that happy to get into here at the moment. It is sensitive issue for all sides. Lets say the situation is not that urgent at the moment. Its up for discussion with Council is all I can say.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Thanks for concern Hatter but its not something I am that happy to get into here at the moment. It is sensitive issue for all sides. Lets say the situation is not that urgent at the moment.

Sorry, shall I edit? I may be wrong, I'm using my knowledge of similar situations.


eta
Have zapped my post that got it wrong to avoid confusion I spoke out of turn there

 

[Gramsci]

Sorry, shall I edit? I may be wrong, I'm using my knowledge of similar situations.

It is different situation to recent Rushcroft. So yes edit. Really do not want to get into this here. I appreciate peoples concern and if anything bad happens its good to know if can get some support here. But at moment things are in hand.

 

[Gramsci]

Sorry, shall I edit? I may be wrong, I'm using my knowledge of similar situations.


eta
Have zapped my post that got it wrong to avoid confusion I spoke out of turn there

Not out of turn Mrs Magpie. Its just there are some things cannot go into here at the moment.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Fair dos

 

[eroom]

Thanks to Gramsci and Editor for all the digging - and for rendering the available info into something vaguely understandable.

As someone who lives on the edge of the area I think the access question is absolutely key.

For all sorts of reasons (the railway lines, the exterior face of the Barrier Block, generations of poor planning decisions etc) all of that bit of Brixton feels remote from the rest of it: cut-off.

I think better, more welcoming access points from Railton Road will help immeasurably - as would a way of getting to and from the Evelyn Grace and Hill Mead from Milkwood Rd. Ovalhouse could be brilliant if it functions as a gateway into the area.

Of course i'm only speaking as neighbour rather than a resident and i'd be interested to know if residents feel cut-off too, or whether that sense just comes from being on the outside looking in.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Of course i'm only speaking as neighbour rather than a resident and i'd be interested to know if residents feel cut-off too, or whether that sense just comes from being on the outside looking in.

I don't feel cut off at all. I feel close enough to the the Market and the general hum of life, but despite its reputation, Moorlands is really quiet and peaceful and that's nice too. The area suffers more from perception than reality iyswim. I do agree though that getting to the schools more easily from Milkwood Road is a very good idea.

 

[editor]

I like the fact that the Moorlands Estate feels entirely separate and more residential than Village/central Brixton. One of the suggestions at the meeting was to get rid of some of the cul-de-sacs on the estate so people could walk through/across it easier. There may be some merit to that.

 

[eroom]

Well I'm pleased to hear that Mrs Magpie - and I imagine that being very central, but slightly removed, must feel very nice as Editor says.

I think the job to be done is to remove that unwelcoming perception - lessening the sense of borders round the edge and giving more people a reason to wander through it.

Though of course more non-residents wandering about may lessen that sense of residential peace you both mention liking.

 

[editor]

Well I'm pleased to hear that Mrs Magpie - and I imagine that being very central, but slightly removed, must feel very nice as Editor says.

I think the job to be done is to remove that unwelcoming perception - lessening the sense of borders round the edge and giving more people a reason to wander through it.

Though of course more non-residents wandering about may lessen that sense of residential peace you both mention liking.

I'm not sure why residents would want more people wandering though because it is, after all, a residential area.

What could be done, however, is to remove that hideous car washing business and all its ugly steel fencing and replace it with a community garden. At a stroke the neighbourhood would be improved and local families - as well as the many new residents set top move in across the road - will have a welcome green space.

 

[eroom]

I suppose what I'm saying is that if Ovalhhouse were sited there and if the two schools were more accessible, then there would probably be more non-residents walking through the area.

Consequences being on the one hand it feeling less quiet and residential, but on the plus side more people going going there and finding it out it's a perfectly pleasant place.

 

[Gramsci]

Thanks to Gramsci and Editor for all the digging - and for rendering the available info into something vaguely understandable.

As someone who lives on the edge of the area I think the access question is absolutely key.

For all sorts of reasons (the railway lines, the exterior face of the Barrier Block, generations of poor planning decisions etc) all of that bit of Brixton feels remote from the rest of it: cut-off.

I think better, more welcoming access points from Railton Road will help immeasurably - as would a way of getting to and from the Evelyn Grace and Hill Mead from Milkwood Rd. Ovalhouse could be brilliant if it functions as a gateway into the area.

Of course i'm only speaking as neighbour rather than a resident and i'd be interested to know if residents feel cut-off too, or whether that sense just comes from being on the outside looking in.

I agree with Mrs Magpie I do not feel cut off. The railway embankment provides a border from central Brixton that is increasingly becoming entertainment zone and less retail area.

I am also a bit wary of the idea increasing access as I sometimes get the impression its driven by designing out crime ideas. I remember this came up at the one of the SPD meetings I went to before Xmas. I objected to the reference by some present of the Moorlands being a "ghetto" that needed opening up. As though the people who lived on it were some cut off bunch of aliens. I also said that any opening up of access in the estate should only be done if the people on the estate wanted this. It should not be imposed on them from outside.

Why do you think access question is absolutely key?

 

[eroom]

Mostly because of the schools. Both Hill Mead and Evelyn Grace are hard to get to from the south, west and east.

But more philosophically, i also think opening up communities so people can walk easily from one area to the next is generally a good thing.

I agree that opening up communities should only happen if it's what the residents want: that's exactly why I asked the questions a couple of posts ago, to find out how residents felt: your answers, along with Mrs Magpie's and Editor's were enlightening. I'd argue that the kids and staff at the school are residents too though, so their needs are also relevant.

The reason i'm thinking about all this is because I want to make sure any opinions I give about the whole scheme are well-informed.

 

[Gramsci]

Petition to keep the Nuclear Dawn mural on Carlton Mansions

 

[OvalhouseDB]

The Lambeth project team will be posting the latest version of the proposals on the Future Brixton website on Monday, I believe.

 

[Gramsci]

The Lambeth project team will be posting the latest version of the proposals on the Future Brixton website on Monday, I believe.

Here is diagram of how how project is going to go forward. OHT suggest idea to Council to make it more understandable and clear without reading whole pdf on it.

Here is discussion paper on how consultation/ project timeline with more detail.

 

[Saffron]

Hello this is Saffron from Social Life. We are working with Brixton Green to run a series of Action Planning Workshops about Somerleyton Road over the next few weeks. The aim of the workshops is to involve people living and working in Brixton in developing detailed and realistic plans for the redevelopment of Somerleyton Road.

Today we have launched our blog with information about the Somerleyton Road Action Planning Workshops. The blog has an explanation of the workshop process and a list of dates and times. Please share the information with anyone who might be interested and we would encourage you to come along and take part in the discussions.

We appreciate that evening workshops won't work for everyone so we will be using the blog to share information about what is discussed at these sessions. Anyone who is unable to come to the workshops can leave their comments on the blog, or email us at hello@social-life.co, or call us if they would like to talk through any concerns or issues. My number is 07792 114758.

You can also find a write up of the comments and ideas from the February 9 event at Dexter's Playground.

Sorry it has taken a while to get this information up on the blog. We hope to see you or hear from you over the next few weeks.

Saffron

 

[Gramsci]

Hello this is Saffron from Social Life. We are working with Brixton Green to run a series of Action Planning Workshops about Somerleyton Road over the next few weeks. The aim of the workshops is to involve people living and working in Brixton in developing detailed and realistic plans for the redevelopment of Somerleyton Road.

I have got no problem with Social Life consulting residents. As an independent body with no interest in the site. I have also looked at your website and links to the Young Foundation. Which all looks interesting. But what is Brixton Green involvement in this? They are not the only local group. Would you be prepared to meet other local groups separately?

They have had an interest in acquiring the site.

To make it clear this is a Council led project for the redevelopment of the Council owned Somerleyton road site.

What is the meaning of "realistic" and "detailed" plans? This makes me think that there aspects of the development that are a "given". This should be made clear.

For example the Council is definitely thinking of progressing the scheme with a "development partner". Who will build out the whole site, including the theatre. The developer in exchange will get up to 60% of the housing to sell on the open market. So any discussion of what the housing could be for will need to be started by what the Council is thinking of doing to further the scheme. If that is residents are supposed to be participating in a "realistic" plan.

So what happens if local people say they would like social rented Council Housing on the site? Is that "realistic"? Or will it be said to be arguing for a "fantasy" scheme?

Also some of the discussion about Somerleyton road can take place here. Will you be collating what is said here?

I also see nothing about the design and layout of the site. In particular the Theatre, Carlton Mansion and the layout proposed in the original Brixton Masterplan.

 

[Gramsci]

I see the Barrier Block is on the Brixton Green website