Out with the Old... Network Rail tell businesses to vacate Atlantic Road arches

[editor]

#archastrophe

 

[Dexter Deadwood]

#BrixtonRails
Or
#BrixtonRailsAgainstNetworkRail

 

[Ted Striker]

#BrixtonVsTheArchEnemies

 

[:-D]

#No2NR

No2, as in shit?

i like it

 

[:-D]

#dontderailbrixton

#werekeepingbrixtonontrack

 

[Tricky Skills]

#lambethcoop

Wait.

 

[friendofdorothy]

#heartofbrixton

 

[Brixton Hatter]

A successful hashtag needs to be something anyone could understand, whether they know the situation or not. I think #SaveBrixtonArches is great (nice one soupdragon ) and #SaveBrixtonShops could work even better.

 

[pesh]

#supportthearches

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Hi all

Please take a look at this :

Council wants your views on how it communicates on planning matters
POSTED BY LAMBETH COUNCIL ⋅ FEBRUARY 23, 2015

Lambeth council is proposing changes to the way it consults the public on planning matters, concentrating on methods which work well and phasing out less effective methods such as providing libraries with physical copies of applications and sending neighbour notification letters to wide areas around development sites. In the past the council has sent out thousands of such notifications at considerable cost, but received minimal response….

https://lambethnews.wordpress.com/2...s-on-how-it-communicates-on-planning-matters/

They've kept this quiet but we can't let this change go ahead.

This fucks me right off. After we ran the feature about the planning application for the LED screen on the Prince of Wales, the council got what I imagine has to be one the biggest responses to any planning application in recent times, with hundreds of objections. So I wrote to them and suggested that there clearly is a way that Buzz could be instrumental in advertising larger planning applications. I wrote twice. No fucking response.

should we try to get as many people as possible to fill out the questionnaire opposing the changes?

The questionnaire is here -

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/sites/def...y-involvement-consultation-questionnaire.docx

This is a shocker. Not only are they trying to hide planning applications from the public, they are also trying to make the consultation difficult to respond to. You can't respond using an online questionaire - as you can with many other Lambeth consultations - which is a good way of discouraging responses.

Of course, if the council wanted to save money in these austere times and be truly "cooperative", they could ditch paying for notices in deadwood media and instead use popular online local news sites like Brixton Blog and Brixton Buzz to publicise planning applications for free and email details to anyone interested for free and even use their monthly rag Lambeth Talk (which goes to every home in the Borough) to highlight important planning applications.

To be truly cooperative and to save money I suggest Lambeth pursues the courses of action outlined above. And you too can suggest the same by emailing the above details to planningpolicy@lambeth.gov.uk and/or - if you can bear it - filling out the rather pathetic questionnaire here.

 

[editor]

This is a shocker. Not only are they trying to hide planning applications from the public, they are also trying to make the consultation difficult to respond to. You can't respond online - as you can with most other Lambeth consultations - which is a good way of discouraging responses.

Of course, if the council wanted to save money in these austere times and be truly "cooperative", they could use popular online local news sites like Brixton Blog and Brixton Buzz to publicise planning applications for free and email details to anyone interested for free and even use their monthly rag Lambeth Talk (which goes to every home in the Borough) to highlight important planning applications.

They already pay Brixton Blog for advertising. We're not interested in taking their cash. Generally speaking, such arrangements can sometimes cause problems.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Unfortunately, The League of Gentlemen's success means that people would get the wrong idea if we used
#localshopsforlocalpeople

 

[Brixton Hatter]

They already pay Brixton Blog for advertising. We're not interested in taking their cash. Generally speaking, such arrangements can sometimes cause problems.

I'm not suggesting they pay you (or anyone else) any cash. I'm suggesting they merely send details of all planning applications to Brixton Buzz, Brixton Blog, the Herne Hill forum, the Brixton Society, interested residents etc etc etc as a matter of course so as many people as possible get to know about them. Which surely is the objective. (Unless they were trying to hide something.)

 

[Gramsci]

Tuesday article in SLP. By Jack Griffiths. He is good journalist.

 

[LondonLawyer]

I have seen NR's plans. Difficult times for the local business. I actually specialise in property disputes
Iike this. Let me know if you want to speak under an agreed budget.

 

[:-D]

This is a shocker. Not only are they trying to hide planning applications from the public, they are also trying to make the consultation difficult to respond to. You can't respond using an online questionaire - as you can with many other Lambeth consultations - which is a good way of discouraging responses.

Of course, if the council wanted to save money in these austere times and be truly "cooperative", they could ditch paying for notices in deadwood media and instead use popular online local news sites like Brixton Blog and Brixton Buzz to publicise planning applications for free and email details to anyone interested for free and even use their monthly rag Lambeth Talk (which goes to every home in the Borough) to highlight important planning applications.

To be truly cooperative and to save money I suggest Lambeth pursues the courses of action outlined above. And you too can suggest the same by emailing the above details to planningpolicy@lambeth.gov.uk and/or - if you can bear it - filling out the rather pathetic questionnaire here.

i hope you don't mind, but as you put the point very succinctly, i reposted this on the Brixton Community United facebook.

 

[newbie]

I have seen NR's plans. Difficult times for the local business. I actually specialise in property disputes
Iike this. Let me know if you want to speak under an agreed budget.

wow! you must be a top-notch professional. touting for work by spamming forums. ignoring the publicity aspects of the solicitors code. yep, we're well honoured to have you amongst us.

 

[LondonLawyer]

wow! you must be a top-notch professional. touting for work by spamming forums. ignoring the publicity aspects of the solicitors code. yep, we're well honoured to have you amongst us.

Actually, I heard about the proposed redevelopment and signed up to the forum as I wanted to reach out to local businesses to see if I could help. Some of the above posts refer to engaging in discussions with Network Rail, and asking about compensation. Knowing your property rights first before doing that is however the starting point. E.g. are the leases protected by legislation; can the landlord's proposed redevelopment be a reason to terminate any such existing rights; what, legally and strategically, should the tenants do; can the tenants get statutory compensation (or more); and if so, how much. Understanding those sort of issues at the outset is fundamental. That then sets the framework as to how to approach this difficult situation (and how hard to push and what issues to push if, indeed, settlement discussions are to be had). I am a supporter of local businesses. If I can help, I would like to. If those businesses affected would rather not seek my advice, then that's no problem, but they really should seek independent legal advice for the reasons mentioned above before saying anything to Network Rail.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Actually, I heard about the proposed redevelopment and signed up to the forum as I wanted to reach out to local businesses to see if I could help. Some of the above posts refer to engaging in discussions with Network Rail, and asking about compensation. Knowing your property rights first before doing that is however the starting point. E.g. are the leases protected by legislation; can the landlord's proposed redevelopment be a reason to terminate any such existing rights; what, legally and strategically, should the tenants do; can the tenants get statutory compensation (or more); and if so, how much. Understanding those sort of issues at the outset is fundamental. That then sets the framework as to how to approach this difficult situation (and how hard to push and what issues to push if, indeed, settlement discussions are to be had). I am a supporter of local businesses. If I can help, I would like to. If those businesses affected would rather not seek my advice, then that's no problem, but they really should seek independent legal advice for the reasons mentioned above before saying anything to Network Rail.

Welcome to the boards

If you check the FAQ you'll see touting for business is generally not allowed. We like to try and help each other round these parts, so if you wanted to help these local businesses, I'm sure the offer of a free initial two hour consultation would go down well, after which they could decide whether to pursue any business with you.

Anyway, feel free to stick around….you might like it.

 

[newbie]

Actually, I'm a bit surprised someone offering to help a local community campaign should be wanting payment by line 2.

Pretty poor quality troll, which is presumably what this is since it seems vanishingly unlikely any real lawyer would "make unsolicited approaches ... to members of the public".

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Has anyone got a low-print version of the 'stop the evictions' poster I could use please?

Poster is great but it's on a black background so if I print a load of copies of it it's going to rinse what ink I have left. Is there a version on a white background or similar? Or any way I can get hold of a few copies please? ta

 

[:-D]

Has anyone got a low-print version of the 'stop the evictions' poster I could use please?

Poster is great but it's on a black background so if I print a load of copies of it it's going to rinse what ink I have left. Is there a version on a white background or similar? Or any way I can get hold of a few copies please? ta

we got 750 copies made up and distributed them around all the affected businesses. we gave our last ones away only yesterday but other shops will still have some floating about. I know Mash the fishmonger still has some i think.

 

[LondonLawyer]

Actually, I'm a bit surprised someone offering to help a local community campaign should be wanting payment by line 2.

Pretty poor quality troll, which is presumably what this is since it seems vanishingly unlikely any real lawyer would "make unsolicited approaches ... to members of the public".

I do not quite understsand the hostility. But you have made your feelings towards me clear. I reached out in peace hoping I could help. If I am not wanted, then that's ok. I will leave you to do it your way and wish you good luck.

 

[editor]

I do not quite understsand the hostility. But you have made your feelings towards me clear. I reached out in peace hoping I could help. If I am not wanted, then that's ok. I will leave you to do it your way and wish you good luck.

You understand that everyone else is offering to help out for free, yes?

 

[Baron]

Lawyers working for free for a good cause, getting a good result is the best advertising.

 

[editor]

Update: Federation of Small Businesses challenges Network Rail over its handling of Brixton arch traders

 

[shakespearegirl]

I just received this offer from a planning advisor that we used to object against a development (I have removed the details to avoid advertising):

Here at XYZ, we wanted you to be first to know that we are currently offering a complimentary advice surgery to householders, businesses and developers. Through this service, our planning consultant will answer any concerns or queries that you may have about your development and explain the planning process.


There is no charge for this advice. Simply select the time slot that is most convenient for you and bring along any relevant paperwork and/or drawings so that we may access how to make your planning development a success.

If the traders were interested I can send the details or contact the company on their behalf

 

[happyshopper]

The eatinbrixton blog has a piece about the campaign. They make a point that I haven't seen made anywhere else. It appears that Network Rail has a specific responsibility in what are called its Articles of Association to "have regard to the protection of buildings and other objects of historic,architectural or other significance when formulating and implementing proposals and more generally to participate in, manage and co-operate in projects or works designed to restore, preserve, improve or protect the environment.” There's no doubt that these shops are of significance as well as being part of our environment, so there is clearly an argument that so far at least Network Rail has failed to comply with its own constitution.

More information is in this post.

 

[dbs1fan]

Chukka Umunna spotted bout 5 o'clock this evening deep in conversation with LS Mash Fishmongers staff.

 

[Crispy]

"have regard to the protection of buildings and other objects of historic,architectural or other significance when formulating and implementing proposals and more generally to participate in, manage and co-operate in projects or works designed to restore, preserve, improve or protect the environment.”

I fear this will be referring to physical buildings and objects only.