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Bulletin No. 24

OBJECTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SOUTHWARK NO LATER THAN 24TH AUGUST THEY SHOULD INCLUDE THE SITE REFERENCE NUMBERS SHOWN BELOW AND SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Donald Hanciles, Planning and Regeneration, East Area Team,
Council Offices, Chiltern, Portland Street, London SE17 2ES

For more details, an electronic method of contacting Southwark Planning and the CWC objections,
see Bulletin 25

You could also email Steve Lancashire who is the councillor involved with Canada Water planning
steve.lancashire@southwark.gov.uk

OR the leader of the council Stephanie Elsy
stephanie.elsy@southwark.gov.uk

and copy your email to
canadawater@timeandtalents.org.uk

Our target is more than 20 Emails per day

THE ISSUES

Planning applications have now been submitted for Site D (0101095) and E (0101100 & 0101099).

Site D (0101095)

This is the site occupied by an empty Decathlon shed immediately opposite the "Woodlands Crescent" development on Albion Channel.

The proposals have some merits including perhaps the provision of a creche.

There is strong opposition though to plans to build block 7 on what is currently garden with lavender, trees, shrubs etc. Apart from the destruction of the view along what is a beautifully landscaped path extending from Albatross Way across the Albion Channel we think that this land is actually owned by Southwark. We need help to research the title and to prepare the legal case to prevent building on "Pauline's Garden".

It is likely that Canada Water Campaign will object to the excessive height of the development (9 storeys rather than 6 as at Woodlands Crescent) and issues relating to the inadequate amount of key worker low cost family housing.

There is some controversy as to whether or not retail development (coffee bar/newsagent) facing Woodlands Crescent is appropriate.

As soon as our views are finalised they will be put on the website

Site E (0101100 & 0101099).

This is the site which again has an empty Decathlon shed on it and is immediately next to the Harmsworth Quays printing press.

There are plans for an office block and an E-server hotel.

The office block is totally against the Canada Water Vision agreed by every political party prior to the General election.

Whilst it would generate 2500 jobs it flies in the face of the need to reduce rather than build up traffic volumes along the Surrey Quays Road rat run. The aesthetics aren't too wonderful. It is however some distance from Canada Water itself. But it is hardly "Low, Clean and Green"

The E-server hotel (for computers to stay in, rather than people) would put less strain on the area but as currently designed is an ugly monolith with no great aesthetic value. It is certainly "Low, Clean and Green" and not out of keeping with the height of the printing press.

Please see the plans.

IN FAIRNESS TO THE DEVELOPERS ON BOTH SITES

There is extensive discussion with the Canada Water Campaign and already some changes have been made to plans on both sites.

Nonetheless we find it highly regrettable that the applications should have been submitted prior to completion of the Master Plan for the area. It seems to us to be highly inappropriate to submit plans when the Canada Water Forum has not finalised its views on the overall development of the area. It makes a total nonsense of the consultation exercise.

It is equally regrettable that outline planning applications have been submitted BEFORE the plans have been exhibited or public meetings held.

BUT there will be "WALK IN" EXHIBITIONS for site D on 1200 - 1800 on the 8th and 1500 - 2000 on 11th September. Dates for the site E walk in exhibitions have not yet been finalised.

AND there will be public meetings in due course after the community has had the chance to see the proposals at the walk in exhibitions.

David Brunskill
15 August 2001

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