Communication mix-up sees new tree plantings fail

We've previously reported on this problem, the resolution of which seems to us, as park users, pretty straightforward - just get someone down there with a bowser and keep the trees watered when it gets a bit dry!

 

Martin Hyde, LB Lewisham's Parks Regeneration Manager, yesterday issued an explanation and apology:

 

"As you will have been aware the new tree planting was part of a wider regeneration project which had its own dedicated project manager. Following the first failure of trees, which was the responsibility of the main contractor, the project manager arranged for the replacement trees to be planted and maintained by Civic Trees a subsidiary of Glendale rather than the main contractor who had no further ongoing liabilities on the project. All costs covered by the main contractor.

 

"For whatever reason and clearly a breakdown in communications it transpires that Glendale Lewisham only began watering the trees after the dry spell in the spring when the matter was brought to their attention.

 

"With regards to liability Civic Trees have accepted that they must replace those trees which have failed this year and that Glendale Lewisham have agreed to be responsible for ongoing maintenance and watering over the coming years.

 

"This is also a lesson learned for ourselves where parks projects are managed by central project managers who often don’t have time available to oversee aftercare liabilities that sit outside the Glendale parks contract.

 

"Please accept my apologies for this matter."

 

Robert Sheppard

Secretary, The Ladywell Fields User Group

Stand, please, for the Ladywell Arena!

The Council has notified the Ladywell Fields User Group 'as a courtesy' that it is developing plans to for a stand (i.e. a seating area, presumably banked) at the Ladywell Arena - in the southeast corner of the Park behind Albacore Crescent - and that a planning application will be submitted in due course.

David Walton, the Council's Community Assets Manager (David.Walton@lewisham.gov.uk (T) 020 8314 8256 (M) 07753 859058 writes:

 

"The athletics track at Ladywell Arena primarily hosts athletics training and football matches along with a large number of school sports days.

 

"The league of the two football clubs requires that a small seating stand (50 seating and 50 standing) be erected to conform with their rules.  "

 

"This is a tight site with limited options for locating such a stand - which would of course be of benefit to all users.

 

"In the coming months colleagues will be developing the outline ideas into a design which will need to be submitted for planning permission. Funding will also need to be secured. 

"If you have any queries please do get in touch."

The User Group is unlikely to object, provided the design and siting of the stand is not too obtrusive and that good access for cyclists and pedestrians is maintained.  However we have asked to be given the opportunity to examine the plans prior to any planning application being submitted.

Robert Sheppard

Secretary, The Ladywell Fields User Group

84 Ravensbourne Park appeal dismissed by Planning Inspector

Belatedly I have spotted that this planning application, which was objected to by the User Group, refused by Council officers, and appealed by the applicant, was refused by the Inspector on 22 June 2015.

 

Here is a copy of the Inspector's decision.

This is the second application to have been refused for this site (the former Park Keeper's house) in recent years.  As the site has been an eyesore for nearly a decade the User Group welcomes a fresh application that delivers much needed housing but which respects the sensitive location in the corner of Ladywell Fields.  Any development here needs to be more modest in scale and, ideally, set well back from the Park boundary, ensuring the new building remains well-screened so as not to detract from the visual amenity of the Park. 

Robert Sheppard

Barratt submits revised plans affecting the Park

Though the Ladywell Fields User Group has not been notified directly by the Council (unusual as we are an established community group with a clear sphere of interest), one park user has spotted and let us know that official signs, indicating that Barratt has submitted a new application for the residential blocks in the Catford Green development that will directly overlook the middle part of Ladywell Fields, have been put up in the Park.

 

The proposed extra storey makes the blocks loom very large over Ladywell Fields and one's immediate concern as a park user is that, with these buildings on the south side of the park, there will be significant additional shading for much of the day (which has not, of course, been shown in this artist's impression!).  The argument for the extra storey, it seems, is that the development needs to be higher in order to fund the higher Mayoral standards for the revised overall scheme.  The cynical amongst us will note that the flats abutting Ladywell Fields (with the Park effectively their back garden), which are for private sale, are likely to make Barratt a very tidy profit in a booming property market (which, I guess, is what they're in the business for)!

 

The plans (application ref: DC/15/93128) can be viewed here on the Council website

 

Robert Sheppard

Secretary, The Ladywell Fields User Group

Playground closure

 

Before . . .

. . . and after

 

 

Many of you will have spotted that the playground in the north (Ladywell) field has been closed for the last week.  This has been necessary to enable some urgent tree works that were required when it was found that a couple of trees were potentially dangerous.

The playground should be open again today.

Robert Sheppard