DOTE

Des has just done some more work for us which means he's now painted our entire house inside and out over the course of a couple of years. We think he's brilliant - he's an absolute perfectionist and isn't happy until the finish is of the highest quality. He can also tackle all the little odd jobs that come up with an old East Dulwich house, he sorted out a couple of window sill leaks for us, got a friend in to do some roof patching, and did a great repair himself on a completely rotten window sill. The work he did on the outside 18 months ago still looks great but I have no doubt he would pop back and sort out anything that went wrong under his guarantee as every time he comes back to do another job he's sorted out stuff that I've messed up free of charge eg. When I've scuffed a wall by accident Des has just touched it up while he's there. It's testament to how good he is that if you chat to Des you find out that the vast majority of his work is repeat business. On that note like most good people in East Dulwich Des is kept pretty busy so get in early if you need him. Really nice guy to have around and highly recommended by us.

Greg has just done another job for us and we're really pleased with the results - this time it was a fitted wardrobe in an alcove to the side of a fireplace chimney. It looks great and provides us with some much needed storage space in the corner of the room, and looks much better than a standalone bit of furniture. As ever Greg came up with a very reasonable quote, was a pleasure to have round the house and left no mess at all. We are so taken with the results that we're going to get him back to do some more cupboards in the kitchen so if you want to get hold of him get in quick!

For those interested - planning permission for flats and a house on this site granted last week

Had Des back last month to do the last few inside rooms and also some external work on some windows. Really happy with the work, as others have said the best thing about Des is the high quality finish he gets, as well as being a thoroughly nice guy to have around. As I've said before him and Greg Bramwell (carpenter with lots of recommendations on here), work really well together - Greg built us some TV shelves in an alcove which look great and then Des painted them up and sealed them so they blend in to the wall. They are good friends which is helpful as it means Des can coordinate things between them so they happen in the right order regarding building shelves, painting etc. and then you dont have to worry about it. One of Des's team also did some wallpapering this time which we're also v happy with. It was also nice that Des is happy to carry out the numerous odd jobs that come up when decorating an old house - during his last time with us he fixed 2 roof leaks, re sealed a leaky bath and repaired some pointing on an external wall, none of which he charged extra for, despite it all taking a fair amount of time. Highly recommended if looking for a quality decorator. Telephone for Des is 07971299009

It's not a done deal yet - I imagine any developer probably tries to get planning permission for more than they think the council will go for in order to maximise profits, so perhaps these plans will be rejected or toned down. I imagine there will be a great deal of opposition from neighbours on Lordship Lane due to the size of the site and the lack of parking, and from a large number of houses on Beauval Road who won't want a house and flats at the bottom of their gardens! Whether it fits in with the street is another point. And as for the remaining bungalow, hopefully the council will make sure any development does not have an adverse effect on him. You can comment on the planning application either by following the link below and scrolling to the bottom of the page: http://planningonline.southwarksites.com/planningonline2/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=9549466 Or by emailing [email protected] (you must quote the application number which is 13/AP/1283 and you must give a postal address for your opinion to be taken into account, there's plenty of details on how to comment on the council website). Whatever your views on the development very much worth commenting while the window is open for the next week or so.

david_carnell Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Why is it listed as 236 and 240 Lordship Lane? > > Presumably the other bungalow is 238? So there is > something being built either side of it? > > Reminds me of the scenes from Up. That's pretty much it - if you look at the plans you'll see the flats go to the left of the remaining bungalow (as you look at it from lordship lane), then the house is behind the bungalow (and accessed from the lane you can see to the right of the bungalow).

For those interested the new owner of the site has applied for planning permission on the site for 2 sets of flats, each set containing 2 three bedroom flats, 2 two bedroom flats, and 2 single bedroom flats. And a house! All while keeping the remaining bungalow thats privately owned (the one with the lovely garden). Seems like quite a lot to squeeze into the space. Details on Southwark's planning register online, including artists impressions of what the site will look like, opportunity to comment etc. link below: http://planningonline.southwarksites.com/planningonline2/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=9549466

Have been meaning to add our recommendation for Greg for ages - Greg has helped us out several times over the last few months - making shelves to match some existing ones, solving a sticky wooden door, and creating an access hatch in some patio decking. He's reasonably priced, very reliable and does a great job, and he's a very friendly chap too. He's good friends with an excellent decorator we've been using (Des who I've recommended on a separate thread) so the two of them work really well together if you need any woodwork that Greg does painting. Greg's mobile is 07949640999

Des painted 2 rooms for us before Christmas (we found him through this thread), we were so impressed with him and the quality of the finish that we've currently got him painting our kitchen, hall and stairs. As previous posters have said he really has an eye for detail and is completely straightforward to deal with, solving problems as he goes along, happy working on his own or around us in the house and a pleasure to chat too. Highly recommended, we'll be using him again later in the summer for some exterior work and to finish the interior of the house. Worth mentioning that he is close friends with Greg Bramwell who is also highly recommended as a carpenter on this forum - so if you have shelving that needs doing or any carpentry/removal of radiators etc. then Greg and Des work really well together with Greg doing the carpentry and Des then doing the painting. Des can be reached on 07971299009