Derelict sites in East Dulwich?

[andyeo]

Hi,

Does anyone know of a derelict site near them?

I'm in the process of mapping these places in and around London. I'm sure you've all heard about the housing crisis in the news. We're wanting to highlight the amount of land that could be put to better use, eg. housing!

I'd be interested to hear what you think about the problem.

This is our blog of derelict sites.

http://landnearme.tumblr.com/

- Andrew

[fl0wer]

Dear Andrew, thankyou for giving folk the opportunity to contribute.

In ED there are quite a few sad, closed-down shop premises dragging down the terraces like bad teeth.

In general private houses and flats fetch such high prices they are occupied and extended whenever possible so we are in something of a bubble here.

There is a distinction to be made between 'derelict sites', 'brownfield sites' and treasured bits of wild land in everyone's interest to protect as safe havens for biodiversity.

Article about Europe's 11 million empty homes and economic background.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/23/europe-11m-empty-properties-enough-house-homeless-continent-twice

[Jeremy]

Most of the long term derelict properties I can think of - 2 large houses on Crystal Palace Rd, the old 60s/70s block on the corner of Pytchley/Bromar Rd, corner of East Dulwich Rd/Melbourne Grove, are now being redeveloped.

The council flats above the costcutter opposite ED station (part of the DKH estate) are still empty though. Not sure what development (if any) is currently planned there.

[Otta]

Speaking of empty homes, did anyone ever move in to those flats on the corner of Underhill and Overhill?

[Siduhe]

  Quote

Speaking of empty homes, did anyone ever move in to those flats on the corner of Underhill and Overhill?

Yes, looks pretty occupied there now (I go past several times a week). My guess would be renters rather than owners but don't know for sure.

[Otta]

Yeah I had a look on zoopla, and none of them are currently up for sale or rent. Glad the building is being used finally, it was empty for ages!

[Pickle]

I think there were squatters in there for a while, but now all the flats look to have "official" tenants.

[andyeo]

> In ED there are quite a few sad, closed-down shop

> premises dragging down the terraces like bad

> teeth.

This happens all over the place. People feel powerless with tackling these places, since they belong to someone else. They just hope something will be done.

If there was a website where you could add these places to get something done about these run-down places, would you add some places? Nobody as an individual will bother contacting the council or the owner, but perhaps if a website made the process a bit easier?

[fl0wer]

Well I would like to, but the usual story runs along these lines: an owner is prevented by 'change of use' planning applications, from returning vacated shopfronts to livable accommodation.

Logical then to hang onto steadily more decrepit premises until there's either a good reason to demolish or a change in planning policy. Recently government trumpeted they were going to ease up all sorts of restrictions.

Perhaps some of the owners are living abroad, planning to leave their property as an investment their families can take up.

Councils all seem to follow political rather than practical guidelines.

For example they know small shops will fizzle out whilst a shiny new supermarket establishes nearby, but have been sweetened up by the giants offering a new local amenity of some kind....this is what I mean by political.

So there is not a consistent attitude. If planners make decisions which hasten the demise of small shops, why won't they allow those spaces to become nice airy ground-floor homes with gardens, which would suit families?