Wednesday 30 January 2008

Consultation part III

This latest press release from Lewisham Council sets the scene for some MORE consultation! Great to see so much effort being expended on improving facilities in Deptford; hopefully we'll soon get to the bit where we stop talking and start doing!


"Plans for the proposed development of Deptford Town Centre are due to go on public display next Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February.

The plans aim to transform the area around Deptford High Street and create a new community focus. Features include a new public library and council access point, a modern café and a new home for Tidemill Primary School.

The exhibition, to be set in Giffin Square, will take place from 12-8pm on Friday 8 February and 10am-4pm on Saturday 9 February. Representatives from Lewisham Council and the project team will be available to help answer questions and record comments.

Central to the programme are planned improvements to Giffin Square, which under current proposals will see it extended and transformed to provide a focus for the town centre. The square will complement new homes, work units and parking facilities to create a dynamic area for local businesses and residents. All initiatives aim to further enhance the area’s existing reputation for artistic excellence."

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Swimming pool consultation

If you would like to voice your opinions on the planned opening hours, etc, for the new pool at Wavelengths, click here to download the survey as a pdf.

You will need to print it out (only print the FIRST SIX pages, the rest are blank), fill it in and either hand it in at Wavelengths by the middle of February, or send it to Clare Motton, Centre Manager, Wavelengths Leisure Centre, Giffin Street, Deptford, London SE8 4RJ.

Monday 21 January 2008

Deptford park redevelopment & farmer's market

This Sunday 27 January, get yourself down to Deptford Park for a chance to have your say on the council's future plans for the park.

It seems like only yesterday that they were planning to build houses on it, I trust that the new proposals represent an improvement on this idea!

Plans and drawings will be available to view in the Early Years Pavilion building from 12 till 4 on Sunday; apparently these are the result of 'intensive' consultation last November. They are intending to have the first phase completed by the end of March this year - that's pretty good going, although maybe not if the first phase involves planting some bulbs.

(Sorry I can't be more specific, I couldn't find any more information about these plans either on the council website or on the website of Groundwork, the environmental regeneration organisation that is involved.)

They also want your input regarding the long-term future of the park, so get down there and get your voice heard. After all, they've got £50k to spend so it might be worth a look if you've got any thoughts on what is needed.
More info here.

I'm not going to be able to make it this weekend, but I was excited to see that the event is planned to coincide with the first Deptford Farmers' Market! It will be great if this becomes a regular thing - I'm not sure what the plans are, perhaps one of my kind readers could enlighten me if they know, or if they manage to get down there this weekend. Sadly I'm going to be out of town this Sunday, but I hope to take advantage of the market if it becomes a regular thing.

Tuesday 15 January 2008

Station redevelopment drags on

According to Cathedral Group, the company which is responsible for redeveloping the disused yard and arches next to Deptford Station, things are still moving, but they are moving slowly.

Readers might recall (although it has been dragging on so long now you'd be forgiven for forgetting!) the station area redevelopment incorporates a number of elements, including a huge block of live-work units and (you guessed it) new apartments backing onto the old carriage ramp, as well as a 'creative industries' market and a new station, if Network Rail can scrape together a few bob to evict the rats and give the place a lick of paint.

The market was originally slated for 'autumn 2007', so I was wondering what had happened. But it seems they haven't forgotten it:

"We are making plans as quickly as possible to open up the development site around the carriage ramp next to Deptford Station. The creative industries market that we plan to open on the site during the period before construction begins (sometime in late 2009) will open now in early Spring 2008. At around the same time we are planning to open up a site HQ in the form of a cafe in a converted train carriage."

Well guys, take all the time you like. I am all in favour of a cleaner, safer and more accessible station and the sooner we can get this, the better. Another cafe might be nice too, and it would be good to see that yard being used for something other than an occasional car park. I will reserve my judgement about the apartments and live-work units - I suspect that the building will be disproportionately high in comparison to the mostly low-rise structures on Deptford High Street, and may turn out to be totally out of character with the neighbourhood.