Revised new - M&S planning application to replace Iceland..

[Undisputedtruth]

I'd expect M&S to withdraw their planning application. They've probably over estimated demand for their food and not thought through the planning application. Perhaps, they're continuing with the application just in case Cllr Barber and others can be bribed with m&S chocolate biscuits!

[DulwichFox]

The Co-op is undergoing a Major refit. Not just a Face Lift..

They obviously intend to be 1 step ahead of M&S.

Lets hope when finished they can improve the Service we have become accustomed to from them.

Fox.

[qotsa79]

the major issue with Co-op is quality, stock and staff. 3 things that the refurbishment won't solve.

I wouldn't mind having M&S on Lordship Lane but it's sad its presence would be at the expenses of Iceland.

I do shop in Iceland for brand products which are 50% cheaper than any other supermarket!

going to miss my guilty-pleasure shopping trips to Iceland...

[first mate]

qotsa79,

more than anything else the current application would in practice work at the expense of local residents.

[the-e-dealer]

I dont think ICELAND would pay any of M&S's expenses.

[paps]

Sorry this thread is way to long so please can someone update me as to what is happening with Iceland V M&S????

[jamesb]

A member of staff @ M&S in the City today told my wife that she's considering 'transferring to the new M&S in East Dulwich when it opens later this year'. Has this application been approved??

[the-e-dealer]

You could try and read it.

[davidh]

I note that the forum anti anything that makes east dulwich more attractive are frothing with joy at the co-op rejig. can I just say that, with respect, it is just same shite on shinier shelves. and the staff still don't know about anything.

[Undisputedtruth]

Not much difference to M&S, eh Davidh.

[Alan Medic]

With respect to who(m) davidh?

[Louisa]

Oh dear, I'm away for a few months and I come back to this. I knew

it was only a matter of time. To be honest, if Rye Lane was revitalised and the big names could be attracted back Peckham there would be no need for LL to accommodate this sort of chain store. Less than a mile down the road M&S ran a successful st.michael food hall and clothing shop up until its closure in 1989- where the peacocks and Argos stores stand today. Why not point them in that direction rather than complaining about them coming to ED? For me this is the final nail in the coffin of working class ED, Iceland and its predecessor Bejam have held the lease on that building for four decades, end of an era for me and many others if they go.

Louisa.

[first mate]

I wonder if any councillors can comment on the present state of play with the application? I have looked on the application site but cannot see anything and yet I hear rumours (and granted, they are only rumours) that M&S are due to move in the autumn?

It is notable at a glance at the site that those writing in in favour are doing so from Dulwich Village and places like Therapia Road, these supporting letters are very brief and make statements along the lines of- yay, we'd love to shop at a local M&S,.. But most do not comment on the application itself other than to say parking won't be an issue because those individuals will not use there cars, or simply that it won't be an issue because they say so. Can those kind of replies really be used as support for the application???!!! Almost without exception, those writing in against are from the roads around the proposed application site and these replies are incredibly detailed, taking the application to task on numerous issues, not least alleged contravention of planning guidelines. One excellent reply also shows how ill suited even the current Iceland lorries are to deliver on Chesterfield Grove.

On another note the cars are queueing up at the car wash and, gain, blocking pedestrian access on the path, requiring pedestrians to walk around cars into the road to get by. Unacceptable for the elderly and infirm and for mothers with kids. Have any councillors monitored the behaviour of the carwash (and their "good friends" in Southwark parking ;))?

[the-e-dealer]

Those Valeting People are very good. Did full internal clean and wash for me for ?40 reccomended!

[first mate]

Yep, I'm looking forward to getting that late license at the GE too ;)

[the-e-dealer]

As described on here 2am Thurs to Sat All year . I bet you ?10 they wont get it.

[first mate]

Never trust a gambling man. Only ?10...pah. What sort of dealer are you?

Anyhow, I just want an update on the M&S application...... wonder if James the Barber knows?

[the-e-dealer]

Its not a gamble its a cert!

[first mate]

And what do your waters tell you about M&S?

[the-e-dealer]

I expect M&S will modify their proposal to keep objections to minimum. they are smart!

[first mate]

Not just any planning application.....

Yes, James Barber has suggested a range of modifications in his letter to planning. He proposes early morning deliveries on Lordship Lane.

[rch]

first mate, I asked the Head of Planning a couple of weeks ago if I could bring a public presentation and open discussion (not a decision) about the M&S application to the Dulwich Community Council on Sept 18th, but he said that it's possible that a decision would have already been made at the Sept 11th planning sub-committee meeting.

You can keep your eye on applications that come to planning and licensing committees by monitoring the Council Calendar here:-

http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

If you click on the relevant meeting link, you will be directed to the agendas and reports once they are set.

[first mate]

Robin,

Thank you for your reply.

A number of us feel somewhat alarmed that this process appears to be going on behind closed doors- though I am sure that it can be justified in council-speak. Nonetheless, given the strength of local feeling would it not be a good idea to push harder to get this to Community Council?

I assume that an 'early' decision can only mean the application is rejected since any modifications to the existing application would have to be made public? I cannot imagine that the application in its current form could be okayed, in part because of the volume of detailed objections and because a very similar proposal was rejected some years ago.

I will look at the link you have given. I think that residents on the roads closeset to the site in question need help fighting their corner. I am sure you will have seen the link to the photographs of the Iceland lorry trying to get out of the existing entrance, earlier in this thread- these photos say it all. The notion of reducing space but stepping up deliveries is clearly bonkers and casts doubt on the care with which the application has been developed- or they simply don't care about any negative impact on locals.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi First Mate,

there is no "Early Decision" being made, in fact, probably due to the amount of interest in this application, the process appears to have been taking longer than usual. Planning meetings are open to anyone, so anyone who is interested can come along. Councillors who sit on this committee will see correspondence from local residents with their personal details blocked out. There is chance for someone representing local residents and supporting the application to speak and also someone representing local residents who are objecting to it to speak. A local ward Councillor can also speak (in this case a East Dulwich one as it falls into ED ward). Local residents who have an opinion on this application should therefore be sorting out who shall speak and what they should be saying and also lobbying your ED ward Councillor (James Barber, Rosie Shimell, Jonathan Mitchell) with your opinions (I'm a Peckham Rye Ward Councillor).

The problem with delaying this application further is that the applicants could then lodge an appeal for non-determination which means it goes to an planning inspector ie outside Southwark and local residents control.

Renata

[James Barber]

The scheme as originally proposed requires occupants of the proposed flats to access those flats via the proposed larger shop service yard. Due to a death in exactly such circumstances such a combination is not acceptable due to H&S.

So I don;t see what has been proposed as flying. To change the flat access back to the front would require the applicant to change their scheme which resets the clock avoiding an sappeal for 'non determination'.

so unlike REnats for this scheme I don't have that concern.

And I do expect ot appear as a ward councillor before the planning committee.