|
Architect’s impression of new Youth Centre
The usual high turnout (100+?) to the Assembly were
feasted on a wondeful selection of cakes and sandwiches. Oh that the coffee
cound match! Here are a few highlights.
Youth Centre
The main item was the funding for the new Sydenham
Wells Youth Centre. It was good to see that a good selection of the younger
community were at the Assembly to cheer it on. Some concern was expressed at
some misleading and negative comments in our Forum. These centred on whether it
would attract troublemakers and lead to more antisocial behaviour in the
area.
A bit sad that they then went on to repeat, without
attribution, the postive information from the Forum about the presence of the
old Youth Centre had coincided with zero/low reports of anti-social behaviour.
This had risen quickly when the the Centre had to be closed due to building
defects. Hence it could be expected that a new Youth Centre would reduce bad
behaviour. At least by the young!. A concern was expressed about Sunday
opening.
The target marketis 13 to 19 year olds which would have
about 80% of sessions. However, 20% woulf be reserved for the under thirteens.
The Centre would be available to other community groups 'out of
hours'.
Activities and facilities being consider include: ICT
suite, recording studio, gardening, cooking, climbing wall, sports, climbing
wall and fitness centre.
The outline timescales include a very speedy local
consultation to enable plans to be submitted by September with construction
commencing in summer 2011 with completion sometime between summer 2012 and
early 2013.
Safer Neighbourhoods
The Youth Centre was welcomed by Sydenham's
Neighbourhood Committee and police to counter the increasing problems being
encountered with misbehaviour amongst young people in the area.
Angela Hall also reported that the very cold weather
had resulted in the Street Drinkers moving up the more protected surroundings
at the Crystal Palace Bus Station. The committee and local police both want a
no-drinking zone in Sydenham Road and adjoining streets. However, Lewisham is
concerned that this could just displace the problem and is looking to a Borough
wide ban. Meanwhile local off licences and chemists have been persuaded not to
dispense alcohol, methadone etc to a specified number of people.
Councillor Best said that all Sydenham's councillors
were in support of a 'No Drink Zone". She asked if that was the feeling of the
Assembly. No one objected.
Sydenham Road Shops
Kevin Turner (who leads the Town Centre Management
team) gave a positive view on occupancy considering the current economic
conditions. The national and Lewisham average unoccupied rates were between 12
& 18% whereas Sydenham Road was below 10%. We may not have the quality but
we do have the numbers!
A 5% relief rate had been given to retailers between
Kirkdale and Mayow road in partial compensation for the drop in trade during
the disruptive roadworks.
The Sydenham Traders website is expected to launch in
June.
The TCM team have a 'vacant unit kit' to assist people
using unoccupied shops between lettings. This has led to the the Girls House at
the former Linens/Lloyd TSB shop on the corner of Queensthorpe. The Arts
Festival Director asked if these properties would be rent-free. "Depends on the
landlord" was the council response.
Finally Kevin had to report there had been no progress
with the key HSBC premises. The bank had withdrawn the property from the market
but had no known plans to re-open it. This introduces an unacceptable blight on
an important High Street location. But what can be done?
Sydenham Arts Festival
Festival Director Jonathan Kaufman explained thet
SAF2010 would be in a different format from last year's first Festival. It
would be a more relaxed season following the International Music Festival from
June to August.
The Festival would be an umbrella organistion to
provide publicity and help facilitate independently organised events. It is
hope that a preliminary programme will be published later this
month.
Narborhood Centre & Mosaic
Chris Best announced the last Assemby vote had been in
favour of naming it the Sydenham Centre.
The proposed mosaic is moving forward and it is hoped
that a visual representation will be available for the next Assembly on June
12th. However, the centre would have to be redecorated externally before any
public art could be affixed.
Environmental Improvements
Wells Park: Hedge planted with planting for a 'sensory
garden'. Curently the water feature has a 'technical'. A café is under
consideration. The play equipment is beginning to look shabby requiring
refreshment.
Home Park: Outdoor Gym to be ready for summer.
Adventure playground to be updated. Friends meet 25/3 Kangley Bridge. More
«here»
Mayow Park: Full time park keeper now installed.
Horticultural & Community Garden development. English cricket Board
sponsored cricket pitches for summer. £75,000 teens area. The bowling
green club buildings/containers now in use. Tree planting to come. More
«here»
The Transition Group will be showing "Power in the
Community " film at The Grove Centre 8th May 11am to 1pm. Using under used
space to grow food and sharing unmanaged gardens with potential
gardeners.
Girton free car park has been "greened".
Transport
Good News: London Overground arrives at Sydenham on
23rd May with 8 train/hr (4 to Crystal Palace/ 4 to West Croydon. Victoria loop
line to start earlier (and with more connections via London Overground) making
Victoria much more accessible. Norwood Junction to be developed as an alternate
interchange to East Croydon for Gatwick and South Coast. Oystercard to be
purchasable in the ticket office by May.
Bad News: Charing Cross gone and evening and day time
reductions from 6 trains/hr to 4 to/from London Bridge from May 23rd.
OK News: Slow gradual improvement to station
facilities, signage and possibility of café opening in the toilet block
...
Timebank
Sponsored by Hexagon Housing this allows people to
exchange work/skills without affecting benefits. Website coming
soon.
Planning
Greyhound: Technical hitch meant it is going to final
planning on 18th March.
Nickell (Blinds) Site: Planning approval being given
for 5,000 sq ft retail plus flats. This larger retail with similar in the
Greyhound will give opportunity for shops that need more space than the usual
smaller Sydenham Road property.
Sydenham Road Improvement: £3.5 million plus
£1.5 million extra to cover development between Mayow Road and Kent House
Lane. Work starts in August this year on side roads. Completion of public
utility works should allow Kirkdale to Mayow Road to complete in 2011 with the
extension to Kent House in 2012.
Sydenham Station Approach: £310,000 to be spent
'levelling' to make pedestrian access easier and prettier.
Finally
These are jottings from my notebook. Discussion,
corrections, additions etc in the Forum
«here»
sdg 08/03/10 |
