jonco

FYI today is the last day of the second part of LBS consultation, online form is here: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/greendalefields Anyone wanting to join Friends Of Green Dale Can do so here: http://www.friendsofgreendale.org.uk/join/

Hello EDF, Southwark are currently consulting on some revised plans for Green Dale (the wild area behind Sainsburys on Dog Kennel Hill). The Friends of Green Dale committee have been discussing the proposals and are pleased that the plan is to maintain a largely green space. However there is considerable concern at the proposal to include gym equipment and a playground. The feeling is that these are not suited to the natural environment of Green Dale and are not in line with the objective of protecting, preserving and enhancing the natural environment. Green Dale is a natural space which has never been built on, in the history of London. The plans appear to see the area as in large part a municipal park, rather than the natural space that it is and can remain, suited as a quiet habitat for hedgehogs, bats and birds etc. There are many playgrounds in the near vicinity, including the adventure playground on Dog Kennel Hill, just a few minutes walk nearby. Children and young people, just like adults, come to Green Dale because it is a wild space, different to anything else around, and that this is enough. A great example of this is the recent bat walk, which attracted family groups, with children taking a great part, using bat detectors and learning to recognise the noise they make when a pipistrelle flies by. Green Dale needs to be a space for wildlife, where people are able to co-exist rather than dominate the space, which the combination of playground, gym equipment, zip-wire, picnic area is likely to do. The FOG committee favour a plan which allows for the quiet enjoyment of the space, with lots of opportunities for engaging in the natural environment, such as areas for people to be in, conservation of the green space, exploration of possible water courses, Bat Walks, Bird Walks, Nature walks and other opportunities to learn about nature. So, whether or not readers share the Friends committee view on this, you are urged to go online and fill out the Southwark consultation form, which is online until Sunday 12th October. We understand that Southwark plans to submit their proposals to a planning committee in December, notwithstanding the Hadley Property Group application to renew the lease for the site. The plans are now online at: www.southwark.gov.uk/greendalefields The easiest way to see what the new proposal looks like is on this link (pdf document) -http://www.southwark.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11017/green_dale_fields_proposed_plan Jonathan Coe, Chair of Friends Of Green Dale

Hi and thanks for opening this thread sdrs. This is an exciting time for Green Dale with Southwarks plans for a developed green space and Hadleys proposals for the future of the site and DHFC. The newly formed Friends Of Green Dale is open for membership applications - you can join online here http://www.friendsofgreendale.org.uk/join/. The recommended cost is ?5 for working people between 16 and 65 and ?2 for unwaged and people either side of that age bracket. We are keen to hear peoples views and to involve every part of the community in these discussions. As noted above the deadline for online comments is Sunday 24th, link and details here http://www.southwark.gov.uk/greendalefields. Southwark intend to submit their own planning application towards the end of this year and the planning process is always open to comments on proposals. In the meantime Hadley the property developers have said they are "working on bringing forward more detailed proposals for consultation with local residents and Southwark Council"(Southwark News 21.8.14). One big question is 'how can community engagement be maintained'? Does this become an issue of simply being for or against someone else's proposals, which are then implemented, or not, with community groups and individuals on the relative fringe - or can something more sustainable and participatory be created? In financial terms, how can open green spaces be secured for the future in these days of severe reductions in spending? If so how can this be achieved? If you have views on this please join the Friends and share your ideas. Jonathan Coe Chair Friends Of Green Dale

Just seen your post here civilservant and thought you might be interested to know that there are hogs in the area - I saw one on Greendale last year - more details and a picture on the blog here - http://keepinggreendalegreen.tumblr.com/post/47179030229/hedgehogs-redux.

Thanks and okay, I won't! Can I just check what the date of the map is?

John, Then from the map is it accurate to say that the East Dulwich stream is a tributary of the river Neckinger? Jonathan

That would be great. I will message you privately to arrange. Thanks for the link! Jonathan

Thanks John, Can you point me towards information on the East Dulwich stream? Would love to find out more, and perhaps you might be able to help us with more on the history of the space? It really looks like the site has never been built on - the project is about keeping it that way! Thanks again, Jonathan

Hello EDF! I came on here last year to share news about Greendale, the open space behind Sainsburys on Dog Kennel Hill. I had a hiatus/period of no action at the beginning of the year and now there is loads happening with the project to transform Greendale into a community space. Lots of updates on the blog http://keepinggreendalegreen.tumblr.com/. There is a real head of steam building up now, with great support from Cllr James Barber, Cllr Stephen Govier, Sainsburys and DHFC. Hope lots of people will support and discuss and contribute! There will be an open meeting soon - watch this space. We are aiming to get to 100 followers on Twitter by next Friday: can you help out by following an re-tweeting like crazy? @GreendaleGarden. Jonathan

Hi again, There are some new online channels of communication related to this topic so if you are interested have a look. There is a new mailing list for supporters so sign up if you would like to. I will only post round EDF occasionally so you will need to join the supporters list to be kept properly informed. Blogging: keepinggreendalegreen.tumblr.com Twittering: twitter.com/GreendaleGarden Flickring: flickr.com/photos/greendalegardens Filming: vimeo.com/greendalegardens Peter John is supportive and we are also talking to other councillors locally. As mentioned, there will be an open meeting sometime soon - do join the supporters list to be kept informed! Following on from this list, a possibility, as James Barber noted, with sufficient support, is to begin a 'Friends Of' group. Thanks and hope to see you on the list and online!

Hello, Does anyone know what happened with the person who started this thread? It sems to have run out in April and I haven't had any replies to the messages I have sent, nor to the ones I sent through the related energyshare website page. There are some new moves afoot on this issue, and I will post again here soon! Thanks.