Aldi wants to build a store on Knights Hill beside the Big Yellow Box Storage Company. They have organised two consulation events at the Baptist Church on Thornlaw road – Thursday 21/7 4pm to 7pm and Saturday 23/7 10.30am to 1.30pm.
The next stage will be a formal planning application and another chance to have a say.
The site is in West Norwood’s KIBA (Key Industrial Business Area). It is the council’s policy to concentrate retail businesses in the Norwood Road shopping street.
The heart of West Norwood town centre lies between York Hill and Lansdowne Hill. It currently includes 80 homes, mostly above shops, a B&Q store, the Texaco garage, Knowles, Iceland plus many independent smaller shops. There has been talk about revamping the town centre for many years but the only recent development are the new flats above Iceland.
The council calls this area of the town centre Site 18 and is now consulting the community on fresh plans until Feb 21st. To see the details and make your views known go online to: https://lambethsadpdsite18.commonplace.is/
The new plans for Site 18 indicate 400 to 500 new homes including between 165 and 295 ‘affordable’ homes. The proposal is to divide the area into 14 blocks of 5 to 12 storeys to ensure its easy to walk or cycle around. There is no mention of car parking. The ground floors would be mainly for employment use and at least 50% of the units facing onto Norwood Road would be shops. A new road linking Lansdowne Hill and York Hill would be required. The plan would set back the new shops so the pavement is wider and include a small public square opposite Chatsworth Way.
The site is complicated to rebuild as there are so many different land owners involved. So the site might be redeveloped piecemeal. Or the landowners might come together as a partnership to re-develop the site as one build. Whichever way it goes it will mean several years of disruption and construction in the town centre.
Ideas from previous consultations on the future of the town centre are in West Norwood master plan [pdf] dated April 2017.
The developers of the derelict scrapyard at Windsor Grove SE27 9NT have submitted a very detailed Environmental Statement report to support their plans to demolish & rebuild a metal recycling facility on the site. The report concludes there will be no significant environmental effects from the development at Windsor Grove but the ecology/diversity will be improved and the sustainable transport will have health benefits.
Over 1,000 residents have already commented / objected to the plans. They were invited by a letter from the council [jpeg] to read & comment on the Environmental Statement by Monday 8th February 2021.
Many residents oppose the plans due to the increase in hazardous traffic. The large HGV lorries will be asked to take the route, pictured, and so avoid West Norwood town centre by driving through Crystal Palace or Streatham.
The consultant’s Environmental Statement report for the developers is hundreds of pages long. Volume 1 is the introduction and nearly 200 pages. There is a summary in Chapter 13 of Volume 1.
To read and comment on the developers Environmental Statement for Windsor Grove please input ref 20/01066 on the Lambeth Planning portal.
GNK is a builders merchants at 80 Norwood High St SE27 9NW and due to its growing success has become too big for the limited size of its current site.
Local residents and Lambeth council have been concerned at the impact on pedestrian safety and traffic on Norwood High St due to the way vehicles enter & leave the premises. Excessive parking on Norwood High St itself often reduces this busy B232 road to one lane of traffic at many times of the working day.
Over the years the council tried to get GNK to implement the conditions of their original planning permission 10/02101 which do not permit reversing out of the site nor parking on the Norwood High St. Customers and delivery trucks are required to park off-road & on the site and turn and leave the site in forward gear.
In July 2020 the council refused GNK planning application 20/01734 to remove the condition preventing vehicles reversing into Norwood Rd. GNK have now appealed the council’s refusal to the independent Planning Inspector. To comment on the appeal (make a representation) go to: https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ and quote ref 3258370 before Monday 18/1/21.
Admiral are in the slot machine business and have applied for planning permission to turn the empty Ladbrokes betting shop, on the one-way system at Tulse Hill, into an “adult gaming centre” for over-18s.
Both betting shops & adult gaming have the same planning use – “sui generis” – so there is no change of use.
What the planning decision will take into account is matters such as: an active shop front adding to the vibrancy of the area around Tulse Hill train station; any impact on transport; any impact on crime & anti-social behaviour; any impact on “amenity” or character of the area and immediate neighbours.
To comment on this application before the decision is made please go online to the Lambeth Planning portal and use ref 20/02984 for 172-176 Norwood Rd SE27 9AZ. The decision is due to be made at the end of December.
Over 20% of the adult gaming centres in the UK are part of Luxury Leisure Talarius which uses the Admiral brand. Admiral say they offer the ultimate gaming experience, showcasing the best casino and classic slot games available on both the most technologically advanced slot machines and traditional “fruit machines.”
Local Labour councillors from Thurlow Park ward have already objected to Admiral’s planning application.
If Admiral get the go-ahead they will also need to advertise when they apply for a gambling license. This licensing process gives local people 28 days to comment.
Our local shops are re-opening after lockdown – with social distancing . To keep West Norwood town centre thriving let’s all make our local shops our first choice!
We have a fantastic range of retailers and services in West Norwood – have a look at the business directory online and see what’s on offer.
The council’s Lambeth Local Economy Hardship Fund has new grants from £5,000 to £25,000 for the businesses, charities & not for profits that rely on bringing groups of people together. This sector faces the biggest threat for survival with the ongoing need for social distancing.
The fund has four different categories – Independent Hospitality Fund, Arts and Culture at Risk Fund, Charitable Organisations Fund and Shared Workspaces and Market Traders Fund. To apply for funding see:
The council has already paid out more than £44.31m of business rates grants and support to over 3,000 businesses and waived rents for many local charities and small businesses.
Cllr Matthew Bennett (pictured) the councillor responsible for the local economy says “Our social, creative and community sectors play a critical role in Lambeth’s thriving local economy, support thousands of jobs and are an important part in what makes our town centres, and Lambeth as a whole, so vibrant. We have quickly put together a fresh package of support using government funding topped up from our own financial resources to protect our locally owned small businesses, leisure industry, cultural sector and charities.”
To help tackle corona virus in London more care workers are needed to support people leaving hospital.
Proud to Care London is a recruitment web site for the care sector that links people into crucial jobs, providing much needed care and support to people in our communities. It has been developed as a partnership with councils across London.
If you are interested in working in care & supporting people in their own home, in a care home or other residential setting, please check out www.proudtocareLondon.org.uk and see people talk about the work. Many jobs can be flexible and part-time.
There are six main job roles that people can register interest in: care workers, care managers, social workers, OTs (occupational therapist), chefs and cleaners. You will be supported with free online training, checks such as DBS, advice on job roles and matched with local jobs. You can register your interest by completing a short online survey.
This year’s big day out at the Lambeth Country Show 12noon to 8pm is over this weekend 21st & 22nd July at Brockwell Park SE24 . Bring friends & family too. There is something for everyone! Disability access details : https://lambethcountryshow.co.uk/accessibility/
The Main stage hosts musicians– Bukky Leo & Black Egypt , Vanessa Haynes, MF Robots, Imagination, Dawn Penn, SISTA Women in Reggae, Denis Alcapone, Twinkle Brothers & General Levy.
‘Flower walkers’ from the show in 2016
Activities include entertainments, farm animals, health & well being, flower show, sports, technology, performances, crafts, over 200 market stalls, food & drink and of course show piece entertainments at the Arena. New for this year is Longbow Archery and Crossbows, Ancient Artillery, Warrior Training and Medieval Sword School.
To avoid single use plastics there is £2 deposit ( returnable) on reusable cups. Lots of free water fountains.
This year there are safety searches at 4 entry points (Herne Hill , Lido, Tulse Hill, Norwood Road). Last entry 7.30pm. Avoid queues at peak time 3pm to 5pm. Entry is free and un-ticketed.
To get to the Country Show please walk, cycle or travel by public transport ( 68 or 196 bus from West Norwood) . The only parking is for Blue Badge holders who apply in advance. Cycle parks inside Herne Hill & Tulse Hill entrances.
For full details see web site: https://lambethcountryshow.co.uk/ or download the app for i-phone or android – search for Lambeth Country Show 2019.