Crystal Palace Magazine

Bashford ‘bashed’ at library consultation

Jerry Green — Sat, 19 May 2012 09:35:52 +0000

A pensioner and a little boy named Finlay got the biggest cheers of the night as Croydon council held their consultation meeting on the future of library services in Upper Norwood last Wednesday night.

78-year-old Shelagh McDonough told Croydon’s cabinet member for culture Cllr Sarah Bashford: ”Councillor Sarah Bashford you don’t remember me. “I went to both the annual library committee meetings that were terminated so cruelly.

“You made me feel as if I was less than nothing and that’s why I find it very difficult to have any confidence in what you say.

“You treated us with contempt at the last meeting. “I won’t forget that in a hurry “I don’t expect elected members of Croydon council to treat their constituents in that fashion..

“No-one seems to have mentioned that our library is run so efficiently and well on about half (the amount) you’ve been running your libraries in Croydon – even a greater efficiency when you compare with Lambeth.

“If you’ve got something alive and well and serving the community as well as our library does why don’t you roll out the model….” (Her words were blotted out by applause but what was being said was roll out the Upper Norwood model to the rest of Croydon.). “It seems to make common sense to me. “You seem to throw common sense out of the window.

“You see before you all these people from all ages – toddlers up to ancient old people like me. “Everyone is welcome in the library and we don’t want to lose it” she added.

Her comments got one of the two biggest rounds of cheers and applause of the night – the other went to Finlay Wilkie-Jones, aged just four and a half, who had written to Croydon council leader Cllr Mike Fisher about the library and got no reply – so he READ his letter out to around 230 people packing the meeting in the Salvation Army Centre on Westow Street:

“Dear Mr Fisher: Please don’t close the libraries because they are special. “I like to buy books and DVDs. “I will be very sad if you close the library. “From Finlay aged four and a half.” (Cheers and applause.)

Finlay’s dad Colin told the meeting: “I’d like to leave you in no doubt as a parent: We need a library in Upper Norwood. “We’re not going to make the journey to Thornton Heath or anywhere else (applause) because it doesn’t fit in with walking to our local shops. “You’ll be ripping the heart out of our community.

“What we want as a community is for you to work together with Lambeth to continue to provide a library service. “If it’s so difficult to have that conversation would you let us facilitate a discussion with Lambeth? “It’s a shame you took the decision before you consulted.”

This particular theme had been touched upon at the start of the meeting. Annabel Sidney said that following previous consultations on branch libraries Croydon decided to keep them all open but run them differently. “Can you envisage a similar outcome if the library goes into community trust so Croydon makes public funding reflecting the usage by your residents?” she asked Cllr Bashford.

Upper Norwood resident Kevin Ireland said he was not quite clear about the terms of the consultation. “Are there any circumstances under which Croydon council would agree to support the library financially and recommence participation in the joint library committee and, if so, what are they?”

Responding to the various questions – which were allowed in batches of three - Cllr Bashford said she had never been to any meeting with the intention of making anyone feel worthless. “You say I don’t listen. “Please be assured I do listen. “As I did with the library consultation I’m here to take on board all your views.”

Cllr Bashford : “To Finlay, I’m sorry you didn’t get a reply.”

Responding to Annabel Sidney and Kevin Ireland she said: “We won’t be having a joint library agreement . “It doesn’t mean we won’t be working alongside Lambeth in some way. “This is a consultation and you won’t get a ‘set in stone’ consultation.

“We haven’t ruled out a trust.”We can’t rule out social enterprise. “We’re in discussions with Lambeth which will take a great step once this consultation is completed”.

Later she told the meeting she was aware Lambeth were, like Croydon, looking at outsourcing their branch libraries.

A primary school teacher told the meeting: “Too many of the kids I teach don’t have access to high quality kids books. “The biggest impact I have is when I push the parents to go and use the library. “If you allow the library to close will my job to encourage reading become easier or harder?” he asked.

During the meeting Cllr Bashford was subject to continued catcalls and heckling. One comment she made was: “There are places within Croydon that don’t have libraries but do have good communities.”

At another point, where she had asked CPCA chairman John Payne not to shout she said: “I’m standing here listening to your views and your opinions. “We want to know what you think.” She was met with a barrage of derisive jeers when she added: “We could just go away and make a decision.”

Another comment Cllr Bashford made to the meeting was that “Croydon hasn’t reduced its budget for the library. “This year we haven’t reduced our funding for the library.” No-one picked up on this point.

The chair announced they would take three more written questions, avoiding people’s insistence they take a question from campaigner Robbie Gibson – despite several people pointing in his direction and one person yelling: ‘Stop the fillibustering’.

“Various members of staff here have been at work since 8 am” she announced before dealing with three written questions.

The chairman then closed the meeting – with not one single clap coming from the audience.

But Mr Gibson had something to say and he was not going to be prevented from saying it. He leapt on to the stage area at the back of the platform He called on Croydon to sit down with Lambeth and if that didn’t work “to sit down with us. “No to Croydon looting our library” he shouted. (Applause).

JOINT AGREEMENT NOT LEGALLY TERMINATED’

CRYSTAL Palace Community Association chairman John Payne said the joint agreement has not been terminated in accordance with legal requirements.

He told the meeting: “It needs the Secretary of State’s approval. “Why do you simply not abide by the terms of the joint library agreement appoint two local councillors to the committee and work with Lambeth like your predecessors over the last 112 years?” he asked.

“It was Lambeth’s justified response to Croydon’s behaviour now being used as an excuse that the joint library agreement is terminated. “This dispute between the two boroughs was created by Croydon nominating four non-local councillors in both 2010 to 2012.”

Croydon had complied with the 2006 agreement until 2010 when the Conservatives regained control of Croydon. “Why not refer it to arbitration as demanded by the agreement?” he challenged Cllr Bashford.

Responding Cllr Bashford said: “John Payne talked about Croydon flouting the agreement and going to arbitration. “We’ve taken the view that’s a breach of the agreement because Lambeth did not attend those annual meetings. (Cry of ‘Not true’).

“It’s for the leader of Croydon council to appoint whom he thinks fit” declared Cllr Bashford. “I understand you don’t like that and I accept that but it’s illegal to do that. (Cry of ‘Rubbish!’) “We’re not breaking any rules.” (Cry of ‘You are’.)

CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

There was much criticism at the meeting of Croydon’s consultation document.

Alex Klaushofer said she had spoken to two professional consultation experts about Croydon’s consultation document.

“Each of them said it was badly done. “One of them said it was skewed.”

Anthony Elliott told the meeting there was so much gobbledygook in them that with all good intentions he could not have answered the questions in them. “So no consideration (of peoples views) will be taken” he added. (Prolonged applause.)

When Cllr Bashford responded to the batch of questions which included Mr Elliott’s she was again interrupted from the floor.

Meng Barnie told her: “His question was it lacked clarity and if you don’t ask the right questions you won’t get the right answers.”

Later when Cllr Bashford began to refer to the high impact / low impact responses contained in the questionnaire another heckler shouted: “You’re patronising us.”

Cllr Bashford, who told the meeting she appreciated some people were finding the consultation form long and complicated, said:: I’m sorry if people are finding that difficult. “You’re written comments are important. “We’ll look at everything.”

which led another heckler to shout: “What if they’ve ticked the wrong box?”

The meeting received assurances that a question and answer fact sheet would be prepared. Results of the consultation “will be made available so they can all be seen” added Cllr Bashford.

MEETING DIARY

“I’m really pleased to be here tonight because I want to obtain your views on the future provision of library services in Upper Norwood” declared Cllr Bashford.

There then followed the Croydon mantra / mindset of why the library agreement was terminated. (See previous articles for the history but she repeated all the arguments about Labour councillors not turning up etc etc).

“When you’re looking at the library and branch libraries you’re not looking at like for like. A lot of the services received at Upper Norwood are from Central Croydon” she declared. Human resources and….counselling. “And various other costs we take on board.

“Because the annual meetings of the joint library committee have not taken place I’ve not been able to ask questions about the accounts in the way I’d like to.

“I’m aware many of you are unhappy the agreement was terminated but tonight is about the future.”

As she began referring to good governance she was interrupted from the floor. “The fact you guys can’t get round the table and talk is being the lack of good governance” Upper Norwood resident Max Wade told her.

Cllr Bashford: “This is a full circle type of argument.”

TAPE RECORDING

As the meeting neared its end Cllr Bashford spotted someone in the audience tape recording the meeting.

“You were told not to record” she told them. “I think it’s a shame. “We did specify: make a request” (‘Why?’ asked someone.)

For the record my notebook has Jane Doyle – of Paddick letter fame – saying: “No photography or filming unless permission has been granted.”

Nothing about tape recording. Unless, of course (to paraphrase library campaigner Bryher Scudamore’s great mate Esther Rantzen) you tape recordists know different.

Local businesses make 6th Crystal Palace Overground Festival possible

Chris Thomas — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:04:03 +0000

Festival organisers are in the process of organising a repeat of 2011’s hugely successful Crystal Palace Overground Festival.

The FREE community arts festival is planned for Wednesday, June 13 to Saturday, June 16 at Crystal Palace Triangle with the main event and opening with Jim Bob, best known as the singer of indie band Carter USM, on Saturday, June 16 at Westow Park.

“It’s the local businesses that make the festival possible,” said festival director, Noreen Meehan. “We rely on the sponsorship, support and goodwill of local businesses to keep the festival going, this year’s event will be the sixth and hopefully best yet.

“Our sponsors have made the festival possible and we are indebted to them for their fantastic support. We can’t thank them enough.”

The 6^th Crystal Palace Overground Festival is made possible by:

Main event sponsor: Acorn Estate Agency Crystal Palace

Platinum sponsor: Amphlett Lissimore

Gold sponsors: PMS Printing, Bambinos

Silver sponsors: Anthony Chandler Associates, Full Spectrum Integration, Sainsbury’s, South of the River, The Sparrowhawk, Westow House, Willie Smarts

Supporting sponsors: Crystal Palace Osteopaths, Domali, Fortyseven, The Grape and Grain, TT Earthmatters & Vintage Hart.

For the full programme of events, visit the festival website www.crystalpalacefestival.org

For more information, email info@crystalpalacefestival.org.
Find on Facebook: Crystal Palace Overground Festival

Follow on Twitter: @SE19festival

Crystal Palace Garden Party: Rock and Proms in June

Chris Thomas — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:56:29 +0000

The Crystal Palace Garden Parties were an amazing series of festivals in the Crystal Palace Bowl in the park South East London. The Garden Parties in Crystal Palace Bowl historically ran from 1971 into 1980s and were mostly one day festivals. Among the amazing list of bands that played these shows :
PINK FLOYD, BEACH BOYS, BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS, ROD STEWART, ERIC CLAPTON, YES, ELTON JOHN, THE FACES, LOU REED, ELVIS COSTELLO, The CURE, SANTANA and many more.

Afterwards there were a few further revivals most notably the Cure 1990.

A group will be resurrecting these amazing festivals in Crystal Palace Park in 2012. The powers that be have given the go ahead and the dates are 23d and 24th June

Saturday 23rd

Rock return to it’s 70s -80’s roots with legendary keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman, Hawkwind, Focus, Barclay James Harvest, Curved Air, Strawbs and more artists to be confirmed.

Sunday 24 June

Doors open at 4:00pm with live music from 5:00pm – 10:00pm
A celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with classical music in the form of a Jubliee Proms – featuring The London Gala Symphony Orchestra with the stunningly beautiful and talented soloist Juliette Pochin. The event will also feature other musical and fun distractions and continue the park’s other great tradition of PROMS music in this terrific space.

For tickets:

http://www.crystalpalacegardenparty.com/

Green Day at Rockmount School

Chris Thomas — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:40:09 +0000

Reception Class conducting a biodiversity survey - what lives in the pond in our school grounds?

“Let’s show the world we care!” was the message from staff, pupils and parents at Rockmount School last Friday (4th May).

The school wanted to hold the Green Day to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable lifestyles.

Dressed in green, children made their way to school by bike, scooter or on foot, clutching ‘green pledges’. Those from further afield shared cars or took the bus, so that the normally congested road outside was quite empty. By contrast the bikes crowded round the racks in the school car park.

Rockmount will continue to encourage walking and cycling to school through a ‘Walk on Wednesdays’ scheme. Michael Wilson, head teacher of Rockmount said, “I am very keen that even in the winter months children make walking to school part of their day.”

As well as the usual lessons, children spent the day making junk jewellery, turning old clothes into shopping bags and designing solar powered hats.

Reception class searched for wildlife and discovered palmate newts, toads and frogs living in the pond and masonry bees and pied wagtails in their playground. Meanwhile Year 6 went wild about biodiversity, building bat and bird boxes to put them up in the playground, and making insect homes.

Croydon Council’s Recycling team paid a visit to Year 4, who carried out a survey of what is thrown away over lunch.

In the playground after school there were stalls where parents and children could buy cakes, swap books or get a free bicycle healthcheck from Dr Bike.

Karen Pernyes, a local mum who helped organise Green Day, said, “I believe the event really inspired the whole school community to think about environmental issues as well as creating a buzz about the school in general.”

Artists Open House this Weekend

Chris Thomas — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:02:40 +0000

This weekend sees a not to be missed visit to Artist Open House, as part of the Dulwich Festival.

The Artists’ Open House, now in its eighth year, is bigger than ever. More than 200 artists in over 150 locations across Dulwich and surrounding areas are opening their homes and studios as part of the Dulwich Festival, giving you the opportunity to see an incredible array of art works in intimate and inspiring settings. Open House will run on both weekends of the Dulwich Festival to give you a chance to see as many of the artists as possible. Look out for the signposts outside each of the venues.

All kinds of artists are represented here – photographers, ceramicists, print makers, designers, painters, jewellers, furniture makers and more – and most of their work is for sale at prices to suit all pockets.

So perhaps you’ll find the perfect watercolour for that space on your bedroom wall, a unique piece of jewellery or simply a useful and lovely pot.

You will certainly be inspired by the amazing creativity at work behind these normally closed doors.

Headline sponsor announced for Crystal Palace Overground Festival

Chris Thomas — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:54:33 +0000

A LEADING South East London estate agency has been confirmed as the headline sponsor for this year’s Crystal Palace Overground Festival.

Acorn Estate Agency Crystal Palace will sponsor the 6th annual Crystal Palace Overground Festival for the second year running.

The free 4-day festival will take place round the Crystal Palace Triangle (13-16 June, 2012) with events running in the week leading up to and during the main event itself at Westow Park (June 16).

Director of Acorn Crystal Palace, James Clow, said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of this year’s Crystal Palace Overground Festival. The festival brings residents and local business together. It is one of the region’s most eagerly anticipated events.”

Mr Clow added: “As a company, we feel proud to be associated with the festival.”

Crystal Palace has been the home of the Overground Festival since it began in 2007, showcasing the best local live music, poetry, theatre, comedy, film, food and fashion. Local bars will host stalls, gigs and DJs, and there will be shopping and music in the local markets, Church Road and Haynes Lane, with an art market inVictory Place. This year’s event looks set to be one of the best yet.

There will be an array of gourmet food and drink stalls and bands playing everything from soul, funk, ska, reggae to indie pop on the Antenna music stage in WestowPark.

London born writer and musician Jim Bob, best known as the singer of indie band Carter USM will officially welcome visitors to the festival on 16 June.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit www.crystalpalacefestival.org

Volunteers Needed for Sydenham Arts Festival

Chris Thomas — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:44:59 +0000

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME CONFIRMED

Sydenham Arts Festival 2012′s fantastic programme is now finalised and details will be announced very soon.

Highlights include Arts in the Park/Family Fun Day on Sunday 1 July, an open-air production of The Jungle Book (3-8 July), a ‘Battle of the Bards’ playwriting competition and Word Explosion, a family-friendly literary festival headlined by ‘Liverpool poet’ Roger McGough.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We need volunteers to help out in a variety of roles, including box office, leafleting, front of house, stewarding at events, technical crew and drivers.

Anyone who’s interested is invited to an initial volunteers ‘meet & greet’ on Saturday 19 May from 11am until 1pm at the Golden Lion pub, 116 Sydenham Road, SE26 5JX. This will be a great opportunity for you to meet the Festival’s organising team, have a sneak preview of the Festival’s exciting programme, meet each other, and let us know which events you’re interested in helping with.

If you cannot make this meeting, our alternative date is Monday 21 May, 7.30–9pm at The Here For Good Centre, 17 Sydenham Rd, SE26 5EX.

Please email volunteersmanager@sydenhamartsfestival.co.uk to let us know whether you will be able to attend either of these meetings. If you know anyone who you think might be interested in helping with SAF 2012, please do let them know about the meetings – everyone is welcome.

Hope to see you there!

Kind regards,
Jonathan Kaufman – Festival Director
Juliette Grassby-Lewis – Assistant Festival Director
and the volunteers team

07949 880071 (Juliette)
07904 505923 (Jonathan)

Spa Hill Allotment Plant Sale Today!

Chris Thomas — Tue, 01 May 2012 01:37:24 +0000

Give your garden or window box a kick start by nabbing some very cheap plants from the Spa Hill Allotment‘s Plant Sale THIS WEEKEND. Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 12noon. The cafe also does a mean Gardener’s Breakfast. Open to all.

KICC Pentecostal Church faces action if it breaches Planning Laws says council

Jerry Green — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:08:41 +0000

The KICC pentecostal church which has been carrying out major works on a former cinema in Crystal Palace faces enforcement action if it breaches planning laws, says a report to a Bromley council sub-committee.

The report says that if the old cinema at 25 Church Road is brought into an unlawful use then the council can take enforcement action. “But it cannot pre-empt a potentially unlawful use” said the report.

The comments came as a Bromley council plans sub-committee REFUSED all three applications made by the church, Kingsway International Christian Centre.

The applications included:

1. To remove the doors of the cinema building and the canopy above it.

2. To install a billboard on a side wall of the building

3. To provide landscaping and a cycle rack.

“There have been a large number of objections to the three applications and many of these are concerned with the potential use of the building and its implications. The building has been refurbished internally and KICC advised at a meeting with a council officer in March 2011 that it will accommodate various uses including drama, conferences, music associated with the Christian community, income generating activities of a ‘business centre’ nature and community uses. The applicant has since confirmed in writing that the use of the building will fall under Use class D2 (bingo hall/cinema etc)”.

“There remains concern that the use of the building may not fall under Class D2 and to date neither a certificate of lawfulness application nor planning application have not been received regarding the future use. Should the building be brought into an unlawful use then the local planning authority can take the appropriate enforcement action at that stage but it cannot pre-empt a potentially unlawful use”.

The report emphasised that the use of the building was not relevant to the determination of the three new planning applications which it said should be assessed on their planning merits, in particular the impact of the proposals on the character and appearance of the application property and the Crystal Palace Park conservation area.

Cllr John Getgood (Lab. Penge and Cator) said they were guardians for the area. “We would be failing in our duty if we allowed it to be turned over in the way KICC are proposing.” Although the landscaping proposal was being recommended for permission he felt that application should be refused as well. ”It’s very much part of their overall plan. “Not only will we have people using the building it will attract other people to sit and loiter around the entrance” he added.

Cllr Getgood’s motion for refusal was seconded by Cllr Russell Jackson. “Knowing the Triangle as I do i think it’s lovely. “I’d like to see it stay that way.” Annabel Sidney, on behalf of both the Crystal Palace Triangle Planning Group and the Norwood Society, said the proposed alterations would create a frontage more indicative of a car showroom or modern department store.

The report to the sub-committee said nearby residents were notified of the applications and a large number of representations have been received, many featuring duplicated text. A significant proportion of the representations comprised joint objections to all three applications and included general comments which could be summarised as follows:

Errors and misleading statements in application documents / conservation area status conflicts with applicant’s assertion that area has a ‘sharp urban edge’
Applicant has failed to engage with local community / local opinion is being ignored / applicant is attempting to ride roughshod over local community and local planning authority which is politically and morally unacceptable.
Conflicting statements on proposed use of the building / proposed use has not been made clear / impossible to consider how proposals relate to proposed use and are necessary / premature to determine application without clarification of proposed use / no information on hours of operation, numbers of people using building, number of Class D2 events and what those events will be
Proposed use does not have planning permission / internal works carried out and indicated on plans provide a similar layout to previously refused church proposal – these facilities are not consistent with D2 use / applicant’s statements on proposed use are not consistent with a D2 use / D2 use of the building is likely to incorporate D1 uses / applicant publicly stated that it was considering D2 use of building, including concerts
Capacity of building has increased / building can accommodate up to 3,000 people / building will have significant trip generating potential
Sole purpose of purchase of building was relocation of place of worship
The three applications should be considered together given cumulative impact of proposals
Granting permission will effectively validate works carried out to date and indicate acceptance of loss of community use of building / KICC are being allowed to develop building for inappropriate use unhindered
Applicant previously emphasised potential for intensive use of building within existing permitted use and resulting highways and pedestrian impacts
Applicant has history of attracting very large crowds to events in south London, including annual event at Fairfield Halls in Croydon / applicant significantly intensified use of former cinema in Hoe Street, Walthamstow between 2005 and 2009 / harm to area from intensification of use
Previous planning application indicated that visitors would travel from Kent and Surrey
Location of ticket booth immediately adjacent to entrance doors could hamper free movement of crowds into building / internal foyer is of insufficient size to accommodate influx of people arriving for events
Significant size and presence of building / building is landmark / only Art Deco cinema building in the area / unique and unusual to conservation area
Building makes significant contribution to conservation area / harm to character and appearance of conservation area and adjacent conservation areas / harm to architectural integrity and art-deco character of building /building retains key features of original design / contribution of building to area could be significantly enhanced whilst retaining key features /insensitive proposal for painting of building
Previous introduction of uPVC windows, billboards and external canopy fail to reflect grandeur of building
Applicant fails to recognise importance of the building / applicant should have presented expert architectural advice within application
Building has been allowed to fall into further disrepair since applicant purchased it
Building is a heritage asset as defined in planning policy statement 5 (PPS5) / presumption in favour of conservation of heritage assets / local planning authority should not validate application where impact of proposal on heritage assets is not clear from application documents
Remaining art-deco cinema buildings should be protected and conserved / applicant has sensitively restored former cinema building in Walthamstow
Non-religious people will feel excluded from important local landmark / church will add nothing to local community / building should benefit local community / community will be deprived of a valuable resource / local community are united in opposition to KICC proposals / over 3,000 objectors to previous application / in climate of civil unrest it is important to build a sense of community amongst existing residents rather than allow people from outside to take control of an area
Already enough churches in the area
Area needs an entertainment venue / building has long history as entertainment venue / building should provide a cinema / cinema operator is ready and willing to move into building / cinema would provide economic and community benefits / widespread local support for cinema
Town centre is becoming run-down / building is key to social, economic and cultural regeneration of Triangle, particularly Church Road / harm to vitality and vibrancy of town centre
Detrimental impact on highway and pedestrian safety from crowds / increased traffic congestion / increased demand for on-street parking in the surrounding area / significant impact of KICC church services in Walthamstow town centre
Applicant is proposing to relocate its administrative function to the building – office building would be more suitable / numerous derelict churches that applicant could use
Proposals conflict with relevant local, strategic and national policy.

Specific comments on the landscaping application received from nearby residents were summarised as follows: (Application ref. 11/01537)

Unclear why people would want to sit in this area next to busy road rather than nearby green spaces
Increased potential for crime and anti-social behaviour, in particular by providing hiding spaces from where pedestrians / bus stop users could be targeted
KICC events could result in large crowds using landscaped space and spilling onto pavement where people wait for buses, pushing pedestrians out onto busy road
Increased noise and disturbance from use of landscaped space lack of detail regarding maintenance of landscape features
Area will become litter strewn and unsightly unless properly maintained
Proposal is an attempt to woo local authority support
Churchgoers will arrive in cars rather than cycle up hill
Site is too narrow for bicycle parking
Landscaping is poor quality / generic and unimaginative
Poor design / inadequate number of bicycle stands
Overspill of cycle parking will restrict availability of stands nearby / increased
Cycle parking in the area will be detrimental to highway and pedestrian safety

On the a application to change the doors and canopy (11/01541):

No need for elevational alterations
Justification that lobby needs extra natural light seems strange
Unsuitable materials / uPVC windows inappropriate in conservation area / existing uPVC windows are an unauthorised development
Capacity of building has been increased to over 1,000 and proposed doors would appear inappropriate from a crowd safety and management point of view
Replacement of existing entrance doors and location of ticket booth will create bottlenecks and congestion restricting safe movement of large crowds in and out of building / existing doors allow separate entrance and exit routes
Harsh industrial appearance / building will resemble car showroom
Loss of historic significance / elegance / architectural integrity / Art Deco character / original features / horizontal form / symmetry of building
Despite unfortunate alterations building retains key original design features /
Building should be restored to original appearance
Canopy should be retained in same position / raising canopy will result in loss of unique geometric raised stucco surround
Rectangular render architrave which frames door opening is a feature since 1928 and its loss is undesirable
Glazing on lower floor should reflect original design intentions / doors and fanlight windows above canopy have been a feature of building since 1928
Entertainment use does not require large glazed panels and doors to display internal features
Proposed windows reflect poor and out of character alterations made by previous owners
Signage is out of character with building and conservation area

Billboard application (ref. 11/01663)

Insufficient details of materials and colours of billboard and advertisements
Elevation drawings misrepresent roof structure to support applicant’s
assertions regarding character of building and surrounding area
The billboard will reverse council’s previous success in removing advertisements along Church Road
The visual impact, particularly upon residents living opposite / street clutter
The billboard is large, prominent and unnecessary
The scale and location of hoarding inappropriate for a residential and conservation area out of character with host building, dangerous distraction to motorists
The hoarding will be used for religious advertisements which is not consistent with use of the building religious advertisements are often bright and garish
Crystal Palace Park Conservation Area Supplementary Planning Guidance (CPPSPG) states that advertisements requiring consent will be restricted to properties that depend on advertising to carry out their business – applicant has failed to explain nature of business and use of building
The applicant has not explained why it cannot advertise its business more sensitively in accordance with CPPSPG
The applicant has not indicated whether purpose of hoarding is to obtain revenue from third party advertising and why this is necessary for charity with revenues exceeding £12 million per annum
‘The Open Door’ signage relates to a charity and not the applicant’s business at the premises and is therefore contrary to CPPSPG harmful to the conservation area.

BACKGROUND NOTE: The report to the sub-committee records that planning permission was refused in December 2009 under application ref. 09/02202 for change of use from bingo hall (Class D2) to church/ community use (Class D1) together with ancillary offices, cafe and bookshop on the following grounds:

“The proposed development, involving the loss of an important entertainment/leisure use within Use Class D2 and the introduction of a a reduction in the range of facilities provided within the town centre detrimental to the proper functioning of the daytime and evening economy and harmful to the social, cultural and economic characteristics of the area, thereby contrary to Policies 3A.18, 3D.1 and 4B.8 of the London Plan.

“The nature of the activity associated with a class D1 use such as a place of worship and the scale of the user means that they are likely to have a wide catchment for its congregation and attract a large number of cars and as a result the development will have a significant adverse impact on the surrounding area in terms of parking demand and pedestrian safety, contrary to Policy T18 of the Unitary Development Plan.”

Background to Croydon’s ‘takeover’ of Upper Norwood Library

Jerry Green — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:54:09 +0000

The background to the row is over who sits on the Upper Norwood library joint committee. The agreement states that there should be four councillors from each council.

In February 2006 the library joint committee adopted a resolution that it should consist of at least two members from each side who represent the Upper Norwood area and at least one should have some executive responsibility for libraries.

The reports were would be presented to Croydon’s cabinet on March 13th 2006 and initially to Lambeth’s executive on February 13 2006 and then to Lambeth’s full council meeting of February 22 2006.

Lambeth agreed to the decision at the full council, Croydon agreed the decision under delegated powers. This is recorded in the joint committee minutes of the meeting held in March 2006.

As Mr Anderson’s letter states: “Both authorities subsequently demonstrated compliance with this agreed amendment to the agreement, Croydon having nominated two Conservative councillors from the Upper Norwood area.”

But when the Conservatives lost all their seats in the area in the 2010 elections they threw their toys out of the pram and decided to ‘install’ four cabinet members from the south of the borough onto the committee instead.

In his letter Mr Anderson says that “without providing any formal notification to Lambeth of its intentions, your authority unilaterally decided it no longer wished to comply with the agreed amendment and failed to nominate any representatives from the Upper Norwood area.”

That led to last year’s annual meeting of the library committee ending in complete chaos – and this year’s not even taking place after Lambeth’s four nominated councillors did not turn up.

The meeting was due to have been held in the library – where Croydon’s cabinet member for culture Cllr Sarah ‘Book Token’ Bashford told people attending the meeting they would wait for 10 minutes for the Lambeth councillors.

I understand that Lambeth had advised Croydon their four councillors would not be attending the meeting some time before the day of the meeting. If that is so it begs the question: Why, as cabinet member for culture, wasn’t Cllr Bashford told this by whoever it was Lambeth spoke to at Croydon?