At the last local assembly meeting, a number of people asked what the situation is regarding business rates on the empty units at Leegate. I think there was a feeling that if these could be raised, it might encourage the owners to let the empty units.
I’ve taken this up with the Council’s business rates manager, and received the following response:
You will be aware that business rates is calculated on the basis of a property’s rateable value, as provided by the Valuation Office, an agency of HM Revenues & Customs, and then multiplied by the rate poundage set by the Government each year. Therefore, each unit or property would be charged individually. However, as you have alluded to in your e-mail, on 1 April 2008 the regulations changed with regard to the business rates levied on empty properties. From this date, all unoccupied shops had their rates increased from 50% of the full charge, to 100%. Effectively, this means that there is no distinction in charge between an occupied and unoccupied property.
The Council has no powers at its disposal to increase the rates payable on empty shop units, although I believe by increasing the empty rates charge on empty properties it was the Governments belief that this measure would encourage landlords to re-let their properties more quickly.
I trust this explains the position.
So - there’s already a financial incentive to let the units, but this doesn’t seem to be enough. In my dealings with the owners, I’ve always been told they’d like to let the units - but only on the basis that they can get the unit back fairly quickly if they decide they want to redevelop the centre. Unfortunately, that isn’t very attractive to someone who may be making a large investment to fit out a shop unit.
Lee Green’s a great place to live - there’s so much going on and a great sense of community. To build on this, the next meeting of the Lee Green Assembly will be an informal social event where we can get together, meet each other and find out about the great work done by organisations active within the ward.
The social event will be held on Monday 17th November at Lochaber Hall on Manor Lane Terrace. Doors will open at 7pm, with the event kicking off at 7.30pm. This isn’t a formal meeting, so feel free to drop in any time before 9.30pm - but arrive early for the best chance of a mince pie!
We’re inviting a range of local groups to come along and have a stall at the assembly social, and you’ll also be able to meet your councillors and members of the assembly coordinating group. If you represent a group who’d like to have a stall (they’re free!) then do let me know ASAP.
Finally, a date for your diary - the next formal assembly meeting will take place on Tuesday 17th February 2009 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Handen Road.
I’ve delayed writing up the outcome of this hearing, which happened last Thursday, as I wanted to get the confirmation through in the post. Despite the objections of myself, local residents and the Police, the licensing committee approved a late licence for Nazar in the Leegate Centre (occupying the old Cinnamon unit).
The licence granted allows:
I really welcome an empty unit in the Leegate Centre coming back into use, but I’m concerned about the late licence. My worry (shared by the Police officer who attended the licensing hearing) is that as this is a much later licence than anywhere else locally has, we’ll end up with people who leave licenced premises elsewhere in Lee Green, Blackheath or Lewisham beating a path to the Leegate Centre for more drinks. The applicants seem like really responsible people and promised to turn away drunks etc - but my worry is about what happens then? Public transport to and from Lee Green at that time of night isn’t great. The residents above the Leegate Centre were also very concerned about the late night entertainment, which they fear will distrub their sleep.
Anyway, the licence has been granted now, so we’ve got to make the best of it. As I say, the operators seem like responsible people, so hopefully we can work through any problems.
The Council is about to consult on installing some yellow lines on Brightfield, Lenham, Lampmead and Aislibie Roads.
The proposal is to install yellow lines at the junctions - you can download a map showing exactly what’s proposed here.
The proposal is intended to:
• ease access routes for emergency services and refuse vehicles;
• improve road safety at by ensuring that drivers’ sight-lines are not blocked by parked vehicles;
• improve crossing for pedestrians.
If you have any comments or objections, send them to Michelle Valloo, Project Centre, 14b St Cross Street, London, EC1N 8XA, by 12th November 2008. All objections/representations will be forwarded to the Council for their consideration.
The Council is about to consult on installing some yellow lines at the junction of Woodyates Road and Westhorne Avenue (the South Circular)
The proposal is to install yellow lines outside number 88 - effectively from the end of the red route double red lines to the boundary between nos 88 and 86. You can download a map here.
The proposal is intended to:
• ease access routes for emergency services and refuse vehicles;
• improve road safety at by ensuring that drivers’ sight-lines are not blocked by parked vehicles;
• improve crossing for pedestrians.
If you have any comments or objections, send them to Michelle Valloo, Project Centre, 14b St Cross Street, London, EC1N 8XA, by 12th November 2008. All objections/representations will be forwarded to the Council for their consideration.
Word reaches me of a new group setting up in Lee Green. Lewisham Speakers are part of Toastmasters International - a network of thousands of speaking clubs with hundreds of thousands of members all over the world.
Lewisham Speakers Club are launching on Wednesday 19th November at 7.15pm at Lochaber Hall, and will continue to meet every month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of th month. Guests are welcome and can attend for free, while membership is £70 per year with a one-off joining fee of £15.
As Chris - who’s setting up the group - points out, speaking in front of people is the number one public fear. Most members of toastmasters start as fearful, nervous speakers, but many end up speaking at a professional standard. This is a great way to build confidence.
Further details can be found at www.lewishamspeakers.co.uk and www.toastmasters.org - or download the flyer here.
View the map to see where we've been helping out.
From Leepedia
