Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises....

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JRW
Posts: 539
Joined: 18 Jun 2015 15:01

Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises....

Post by JRW »

Get ready for the Sydenham Assembly. Come and chat over the best questions to ask the Mayor, this Tuesday, 27 November at 7pm, at the Sydenham Community Library. Find out the latest news on the Monstrosity and other planning disasters. Bring news of your own issues; this means you, Lord Summerisle and all of Hillcrest. All welcome, including councillors, officers, and developers.
JRW
Pally
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Location: Sydenham

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by Pally »

"The Monstrosity" remains an inappropriate description in any serious discussion about planning issues!
Growsydenham
Posts: 128
Joined: 27 Jan 2018 09:23
Location: sydenham

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by Growsydenham »

Agree. Silly overthetop language doesn't make whatever case there may be any stronger, and often has the reverse effect.
Chris Best
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Joined: 6 May 2005 11:37
Location: Sydenham

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by Chris Best »

I have given my apologies for this evening but below is a public statement from the Head of Planning.

Our Lady St Philip Neri – progress report
27 November 2018

Background

Planning permission (DC/16/096041) was granted in October 2016 for the demolition of the existing buildings at Our Lady and St Philip Neri Primary School, 208 Sydenham Road and the construction of a three storey school building to enable the amalgamation of the Infant and Junior Schools. The scheme included a nursery, a multi-function sports court and a running track, a new formal pedestrian access from Home Park. The main school building, incorporating classrooms, has been completed and is occupied. The second element of construction, comprising the school hall and rooftop sports court, are at an advanced stage of construction but not yet complete.

The Breaches of Planning Control

Earlier this year, the Planning Service was made aware of potential breaches of planning control in respect of the building, specifically that it had not been undertaken in accordance with the approved plans. Officers have since identified the following non-conformances with the approved plans:

• An increased building height of circa 1m
• Louvres removed from the windows
• Glazing bars added to windows and windows installed with a shallower reveal
• The fenestration pattern has been amended
• Cladding panels added to recesses
• Roof Profile (horizontal separation between each pitch) has not been implemented
• Guttering/ drainpipes made prominent whereas they should be hidden
• Dark colour panels have been added to the window design
• The entrance arrangement and access to the nursery has been amended
• The nursery height has increased from the approved height of 3.5m to 4.2m.
• Two electrical intake cabinets constructed adjacent to the nursery
• Low brick plinth added whereas cladding panels were designed to ground level

Additionally, some of the conditions attached to the planning permission have not been complied with. One of these conditions is Condition 18, relating to improvement works to Home Park to facilitate the new school entrance. The details were approved by Committee in September 2017, but the works have not been implemented prior to occupation of the building, as required by the condition.

Ongoing dialogue with the developers

The Council’s Planning, Enforcement and Design officers have been in discussions with the contractor, Darwin Group (previously Built OffSite) and their consultant team. This has included three meetings between May and October conducted through the Council’s (paid) pre-application service.

Although pre-application discussions are treated confidentially, it is possible to give an overview. As a result of this process, the contractor has employed an architect to review the scheme as built and to suggest alterations which would either bring it in line with the planning permission approved in October 2016 or deliver an equally acceptable scheme. Positive progress has been made, with the result that officers consider that it would be appropriate for an application to be made. The planning system allows for any number of applications to be submitted for a site and retrospective applications are an accepted method of resolving enforcement issues.

The application would be a major application subject to full public consultation, including neighbour letters, press advert and notification of statutory consultees and amenity groups. It would have a 13 week target determination and it is anticipated that, having regard to the level of public interest, it would be determined by Planning Committee. The contractor was invited at the beginning of November to submit an application. At the present time, the timescale for submission has not been provided by the contractor.

There is also a live full application (DC/18/106813) in respect of boundary treatment (3m in height) at the site. Two objections have been received to date. Officers are currently considering this case and have requested further information from the applicant before it is determined.

Ongoing dialogue with neighbours

It is acknowledged that concerns were raised by local residents at the Sydenham Assembly on the 13 June and where the Head, Matthew Ringham, stated it was a matter for the Diocese to resolve.

Julia Webb has subsequently campaigned on this and attended a meeting with Councillors and the Sydenham Society on 15 October 2018 to discuss the situation. This matter is being taken seriously by Councillors and officers.

It is further acknowledged that the public meeting this evening and the meeting with the Mayor on Saturday are evidence of the fact that Julia and the Sydenham Society as well as Sydenham Councillors are alive to this ongoing situation and we are working hard with the Diocese and the contractors to resolve.

Recent communication from the Diocese

23 November 12018:
E mail from Dr Simon Hughes, Director of Education, Education Commission, Catholic Diocese of Southwark

This week:

• I met with the governors. They expressed their concerns. I have written to them this afternoon indicating where I am able to make responses to those concerns.
• We have appointed a range of professionals to ensure that the builders are constrained to submit an appropriate planning application against Suzanne White’s letter of 1st November. The team will oversee the completion of the project.
• I have agreed that the governors should be party to the proposed plans for rectification, before they are submitted. I am aware that they need confidence in the final completed building and I am keen that they are assured of its worthiness. The team will meet with them to share the proposals.


Conclusion

The planning authority continues to monitor this important matter from two standpoints. The development management team is in dialogue with the contractors, regarding the submission of the fresh application. The enforcement team remains ready to serve an enforcement notice in the event of either a failure to submit a planning Application or the submission of a fresh planning application is unreasonably delayed.

Viv Evans Dip TP, MRTPI, FRGS, FRSA
Head of Planning
London Borough of Lewisham
Jollylolly
Posts: 114
Joined: 8 Nov 2015 12:28

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by Jollylolly »

Work commitments kept me away, wanted to come. Will you be publishing minutes?
JGD
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Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by JGD »

Viv Evans, Head of Planning wrote:Julia Webb has subsequently campaigned on this and attended a meeting with Councillors and the Sydenham Society on 15 October 2018 to discuss the situation. This matter is being taken seriously by Councillors and officers.

It is further acknowledged that the public meeting this evening and the meeting with the Mayor on Saturday are evidence of the fact that Julia and the Sydenham Society as well as Sydenham Councillors are alive to this ongoing situation and we are working hard with the Diocese and the contractors to resolve.
Commendable on JRW's part.

Exceptional effort on Viv Evan's teams' effort too.
mosy
Posts: 4111
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 20:28
Location: London

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by mosy »

Chris Best:
If it's not a stupid question, how come planning issues re St Philip Neri school clearly is commanding extensive and expensive council departmental resources and extensive and expensive legal opinions, yet ... a home buyer whose building foundations have been seriously compromised can garner no attention or support seemingly whatsoever from council departments who are responsible for enforcing or remedying planning decisions that are overtly being ignored?

Please see thread here on STF:
https://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19139
TredownMan
Posts: 158
Joined: 28 Sep 2017 15:38
Location: Sydenham

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by TredownMan »

I don’t think the continual attacks including via flypostings on lampposts sends a nice message to parents pupils and teachers who have nothing to do with building regulations. I hope any planning discussion on saturday is balanced out with at least an acknowledgement that the school is are a part of the community - something that has been lacking so far in this saga.
Jollylolly
Posts: 114
Joined: 8 Nov 2015 12:28

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by Jollylolly »

Yes, agree, as a local resident with children at the school I get a bit annoyed with the posters. Especially as they are left way after the event and look scruffy. I don’t mind a couple, but one every couple of meters is excessive and bad for the environment. I really wanted to go to the meeting but work has kept me away and I will also be working Saturday, so would be grateful if any info is shared on here.
Pally
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Location: Sydenham

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by Pally »

TredownMan wrote:I don’t think the continual attacks including via flypostings on lampposts sends a nice message to parents pupils and teachers who have nothing to do with building regulations. I hope any planning discussion on saturday is balanced out with at least an acknowledgement that the school is are a part of the community - something that has been lacking so far in this saga.
I have to agree. There fly posting has been up and down the high street, down past the school and o0nwards towards Sainsburys. A number have blown off in the wind in the high street leaving ribbon pn the lamp post and I am guessing bits of paper flying around

And I also agree that the lack of acknowledgement of the school as part of our community is disappointing. I really hope that school staff, if present tomorrow, are not caught up in inappropriate references to the school.
TredownMan
Posts: 158
Joined: 28 Sep 2017 15:38
Location: Sydenham

Re: Tues 27th, 7pm, meeting re OLSPN & other planning crises

Post by TredownMan »

Some of posters have been hung on the builders fences of the new school building itself. Is that really necessary?
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