Save Dulwich Open Spaces from Commercial Development

[jfjgleeson]

Southwark Community Sports Trust who operates the Dulwich Sports Centre (formerly the South Bank University playing fields) on Turney Road, in conjunction with a private operator (Nelly?s Nursery), is planning to construct a commercial building on previously open green space.

This will impact everyone who overlooks or enjoys our Open Green Spaces, and is the first commercial development on any of the Dulwich sports or recreational grounds, setting a very dangerous precedent. The Dulwich Estate supports this development. Approval opens the way for further commercial units to be constructed on our open spaces on grounds of economic necessity. Such a move will change the nature of Dulwich forever.

Shockingly, construction work has commenced without planning permission, and concrete has been poured on previously green space. But there is still time to reverse this development and say NO to any commercial development on Metropolitan Open Land / green spaces in Dulwich.

The planning application (number 13/AP/1732) is on the Southwark Council Planning website at:

http://planningonline.southwark.gov.uk/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=9549940

The planning documents are at:

http://planningonline.southwark.gov.uk/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeDocs&TheSystemkey=9549940

Reasons to Object:

1. Inappropriate commercial development on Metropolitan Open Land

2. Change of use from recreational to commercial purposes

3. Site of proposed building in an area prone to severe and regular flooding from the underground River Effra

4. Additional traffic on Turney Road and Burbage Road impacting traffic flows throughout the village area.

Sample Objection Letter Attached

To object to this planning application please email [email protected]

Or in writing to:

Mr Gary Rice, Head of Development Management, Southwark Council Planning Division, Development Management (5th floor ? hub 2), PO Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX.

Please make sure that you state the application number (13/AP/1732) and your full postal address.

It is important to state very clearly that you object to an application if you want to be counted as an objector.

Also e-mail our MP and Councillors and let them know you object:

Tessa Jowell MP: [email protected]

Councillor Toby Eckersley: [email protected]

Councillor Michael Mitchell: [email protected]

Councillor Robin Crookshank Hilton: [email protected]

.

Thank you for your support.

[mynamehere]

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17288621-ten-billion

Ten Billion

by Stephen Emmott

We have no ability at all to think long term. Read this book and weep for space and quiet peace that we are losing irrevocably as we twiddle our thumbs (at best at worst we follow leaders screaming about the unborn's right). We have no self control as a species. And it starts first with control of human population in whose name we pour concrete over every unguarded space.

[StraferJack]

Overreaction much?

[david_carnell]

Erection of a single storey timber clad building adjacent to the existing clubhouse, to be used as a children's day nursery (D1) Monday-Friday, and to provide evening and weekend wet weather sports teaching facilities (D2).

Sounds a fairly sensible application and the elevation sketches make it look quite sympathetic.

This isn't housing or factories but probably a much needed community facility. I'd quite like my child to be educated on such a site.

[mynamehere]

I hold my hand up: The heat has temporarily fried my brain excuse my ott post

[EPB]

I'm puzzled by the description of the development as 'commercial".

Many village halls, sports clubs and the like let their premises out to playgroups or scout groups as a way of covering their costs, not to make a profit, which is what commercial enterprises do.

[jfjgleeson]

This is a new purpose built building being developed by a commercial nursery on currently open green land. It is not a case of an existing building being used for occasional events to raise money. It is a pure business development!

[jfjgleeson]

Except next year it could be a 'single floor' Quickfit or Tesco Metro!

Look what happened in Istanbul because of one tree!

Give an inch of green space for a 'for profits' commercial development and no space is sacred!

[jfjgleeson]

This is not a "a much needed community facility" but a ?15,000 a year private nursery!

[StraferJack]

And

So

What

[Mick Mac]

If Dulwich Estates has passed it then it can't be too scary.

[motorbird83]

My thoughts exactly. The trustees are genuinely dedicated to protecting not only green spaces in the area but the general character of the area as well. There support is rather reassuring to me as well because they are notoriously difficult to get on side for development / changes.

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> If Dulwich Estates has passed it then it can't be

> too scary.

[mcdollyp]

Absolutely brilliant from John Gleeson. So this is nothing to do with the fact that your house would overlook the nursery? You are therefore concerned about your house price and fear that a nursery could affect the it's value/ability to sell?

It would seem perfectly legitimate concerns, other people would probably do the same.

However you seem like a clever chap and if you think about it logically you have two options:

1. Kick up a fuss like you are doing, get the application blocked, the trust goes bust, the land goes farrow.

Result: The value of your house probably falls & ability to sell is reduced. The land will be unsightly and who knows who it will attract. You would get a nice view of a wilderness. If you're lucky you may even get some travellers

2. Let the application go through. The ground becomes sustainable, kids & adults carry on playing sport and won't get fat. Your house increases it's value and you can retire very happily.

So do us all a favour and stop with this 'MOL' nonsense or protection of a willow tree which wouldn't even be affected and even if is what is more important 10,000's of people using the playing fields or a willow tree?

As mentioned I'm not judging your nimbyism reaction, just asking that you think logically about it.

[Loz]

jfjgleeson Wrote:

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> Except next year it could be a 'single floor' Quickfit or Tesco Metro!

OK, enough hyperbole...