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The Hatcham Conservation Society


Updates from the world of Hatcham... 


Join our Facebook group here which is regularly updated and open to all residents in Hatcham. 

New Environmental task force 

I am starting a task group within the Hatcham Society to figure out just how harmful the SELCHP (the big tower which emits vapour from the waste recycling site) is as well as the emissions from the New Cross Road. 
Annoyingly, the data made available via SELCHP only covers the previous month and only provides a percentage value of what percentage of the respective Emissions Limit Values (ELV) of each gas. There is no information on how exactly they measure the emissions either.
https://www.selchp.com/about-selchp/Our%20Emissions/ They do have some data on the UK government website but it's hard to crunch, anyone want to have a go? 
According to Wikipedia, Greenpeace scaled the towers of Selchp back in 2002 because of harmful emissions. Does anyone have connections to those who were part of the protest? Did anything change at SELCHP following the protests?
We'll meet regularly through Zoom. Our aims are:
  • Find out how harmful, exactly, the SELCHP is
  • Find out what can be done to counter the harmful toxic chemicals being belched into the air around us
Respond to this email to join the group. 


The wonderful White Hart pub is still under threat from developers 

Following a successful battle to stop the freeholders of the pub turning the upstairs hotel into flats, the White Hart is having to fight for survival yet again after the freeholders appealed the council decision. There will be a public inquiry on October 6. It will be virtual, but if you want to take part, please email the case officer as listed here. The White Hart is a historic pub in Hatcham, and one of only two pubs in the conservation area. If the upstairs is converted into flats, the pub won't be able to function as it currently does as a live music venue. The works to convert the pub will also take months and may see the pub close during this time. With huge losses from Covid, there's no saying if the current leaseholders, who have created a much loved community venue, would be able to survive this. 

The Hatcham Society has applied for the pub to be recognised as an Asset of Community Value. An ACV registration is a material planning consideration, which gives the Council/Public Inquiry additional reasons to reject any proposal involving the loss of the pub. Fingers crossed the application is processed before the inquiry takes place! 
   
The White Hart Pub in 1909 



Update on the fight to prevent Harts Lane being reopened to traffic

The council has opened up its planning department again. We are still waiting to hear the results of the New Cross Gate Supplementary Planning Document consultation which proposed re-opening Harts Lane to bus traffic to service the proposed future development on the TK Maxx car park site. We've been told that results won't be released because of Covid for the "foreseeable future" 

A little background history....While Sainsbury's plans to build 1000+ flats on their site were withdrawn because of uncertainties around whether it would be compatible with the Bakerloo line extension, there's now no knowing what will happen to the site in the next ten years with TFL taking a huge financial hit due to Covid. We've asked the council to let us know the results of the consultation that could result in through-traffic into Hatcham from New Cross Road going to Deptford/Bermondsey. You can read about the consultation here. We'll update you if anything changes.

Besson Street Development 

In July, a planning committee made up of Lewisham councillors approved the redevelopment of the Besson Street site (the huge patch of land next to and behind the Music Room). I was disappointed that the council approved plans for the redevelopment of the site without including any social housing at genuinely affordable rent, despite the site previously hosting council homes. We are very worried about the future of the Music Room whose rehearsal rooms would be metres away from the proposed flats. Luckily, the developers agreed to a "deed of easement" with the Music Rooms  "which would protect the operators of The Music Room from complaints from future residents should they arise." (Source: Strategic Planning Committee document) These legal agreements are still rare with the George Tavern in Stepney and the Ministry of Sound being two of just a handful of venues which have managed to get these deeds put in place.  The Music Room is crowdfunding to survive Covid-19, please consider donating, they're a valuable and unique cultural venue in Hatcham and must be protected. 



Make sure the Music Room can survive Covid by donating to their fundraiser 













All change around us....

The area around South Bermondsey is set for huge upheaval in the next few years...Take a look at this article on what plans are afoot there and at the old gas holders in Old Kent Road. They're going to be opening an overground station at South Bermondsey station connecting Surrey Quays to Queens Road Peckham after Millwall redevelops their stadium to include thousands of new homes. We have to ensure that any changes which happens there doesnt lead to through-traffic coming into our roads. Please keep an eye out for this! Luckily, the development is in Southwark so they won't be able to easily change the road layouts in Lewisham... 


Plans for Millwall and the surrounding area


Plans for the gas works site in Old Kent Road- fingers crossed their development doesn't bring toxic gasses into the local area, like what happened in Southall We will write to Southwark council and the developers to ask for assurances as the development is less than a mile from Hatcham. 


Reports of catalytic converters being stolen from cars in Hatcham

There was a worrying post on NextDoor yesterday with one resident saying the catalytic converter from his car was stolen from Brocklehurst Street. If you see this car, or anyone acting suspiciously and raising cars with a jack please report them to 101 immediately. 




Planning Applications submitted within Hatcham  - Please note, we will oppose anything that goes against the Conservation guidelines as set out by the council which can be found here I

If you would like to comment on the applications, you can do so by quoting the planning reference number and emailing planning@lewisham.gov.uk 



 
  • Telecoms Tower by Sainsburys petrol station 
An application for Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 16, Class A of the General Permitted Development Order (2015) (as amended) for the installation of 20m Phase 8 Monopole C/W wrapround Cabinet at base and associated ancillary works and equipment at the footway at the junction of New Cross Road and the New Cross Gate Retail Park, 263 New Cross Road, SE14. | 263 NEW CROSS ROAD, LONDON, SE14 5UL







 

We've also had two blog posts, one on the intriguing street art that has popped up during COVID in Hatcham and a look at the historical music venues and musicians who have sprung out of Hatcham. All found here. Slightly out of Hatcham, but some neighbours in Telegraph Hill have been kicked out of their homes despite the pandemic. Read how Property Guardians living near us were thrown out of their homes with just 28 days notice

                        


If you are struggling due to Covid, there is help out there! Check out the council's list of resources here. There are also food banks, the brilliant Telegraph Hill aid group which continues to feed hundreds of families each week. You can find out their contact details here.  

A new Covid walk-in testing place has opened in Deptford's Vanguard car park, open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. No appointments necessary, my bofyriend walked in last Friday and has his results on Sunday. Of course, this may chance so always good to check the Lewisahm Council website before you go. 
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