Apologied for the lack of posts recently - I’ve been snowed under with a busy few weeks at work and Council in the run-up to Christmas.

Just a quick note to say that it’s my surgery this Saturday (20th) from 10am until 11am at the McEwan Centre on Leybridge Court.

I’m expecting to be joined by a member of our local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, so if you have any concerns you’d like to raise with me, or the police team, then do pop along.

I can’t quite believe I’ve left it a week before writing about this, but I’m delighted to say there was an a massive yes vote for a change of landlord by residents on the Leybridge and Newstead estates.

Residents on the Leybridge Court and Newstead Road estates in Lee Green have been working with Broomleigh Housing Association on plans to improve their homes and regenerate their estates. The plans to transfer the homes to the not-for-profit landlord have been put to the vote and the result was an 86% vote in favour by tenants on the estates.

This is an overwhelming vote in favour of change.  The Mayor noted the results of the ballot at a meeting last Wednesday night and has asked council officials to begin negotiations with Broomleigh. If all goes to plan, the transfer should take place in June next year.

The transfer will result in new kitchens and bathrooms for tenants and bring to an end years of neglect of these estates.  There’ll also be new services like anti-social behaviour wardens.   This is really good news and great credit must go to the Tenant & Resident Associations on both estates who kicked off this process and kept pushing for these improvements.  I’m really pleased that residents have backed these positive proposals, and we’re really looking forward to working with residents and Broomleigh to make them a reality.

Another change of use application that’s been made lately is for 31 Staplehurst Road - the former Happy Shopper.   

Here, the proposal is to change the use of the ground floor to provide a two-bedroomed self contained flat, together with alterations to the front, side and rear elevations and the construction of an infill extension, the installation of a shopfront and a new paved courtyard at the rear.

You can see the application on the Council website here.   If you’ve got views, do let the Council have them by 4th December.  Either write to Planning Service, Laurence House, Catford, SE6 4SW or email planning {at} lewisham.gov(.)uk - quote reference DC/08/70216 in all correspondence.   Feel free to copy me in.

The Council have advised us that an independent company, Survey Solutions Ltd, will be carrying out a door-to-door survey in the CPZ consultation areas (both the Hither Green East extension area and the Old Road/Bankwell Road extension area) from this Monday 1st December until 14th December.

The idea is to get some feedback on residents’ views of CPZs and the consultation process itself.  If residents opt for the CPZ to be extended to their street, the survey will be repeated once the CPZ has been implemented to see if views have changed.

I think there are two important points to make:

• The staff from Survey Solutions will carry ID.  If you want to check their credentials, give Bill Tarplett at the Council a call on 8314 2570.   If you’re in any doubt, don’t let anyone into your house - call the Council and check first.
• The door-to-door survey is only going to a random sample of people.   To make sure your views count, you still need to return the paper questionnaire that came through your door within the three week deadline.

The Council has received an application for change of use at 117 Burnt Ash Road.   This is the former Dodd Lewis & Co Solicitors unit next to the Pizza Hut takeaway.   The proposal is to change the use to A3 - this is the use class for restaurants/cafes.

You can view the application details here.  If you wish to comment on this, you need to contact the Council by 15th December.  You can email planning {at} lewisham.gov(.)uk or write to the Planning Service, Laurence House, London, SE6 4SW.   Quote ref DC/08/69500 in all correspondence, and feel free to copy me in if you wish.

The Council is currently asking people for their views on dog control orders.  I seem to be receiving an increasing number of complaints about dog fouling and also incidents of dog fighting - though I know this is due to the actions of a small minority of dog-owners.  

There’s more info and a chance to give your views on the Council website.  The consultation closes on Tuesday 9th December.

As you might be aware, Manor House Library will be re-opening in 2009 after major refurbishment.   As well as a fully-refurbished library, there’ll be a number of rooms available for hire.  I’ve been asked by a member of the Manor House Project Board to draw this to your attention as there might be groups or individuals which might like to make use of these facilities - and if there are, it’d be great to get the building in full use from day one.  The leaflet reads as follows:

The Manor House in Lee reopens in 2009, after major refurbishment.  This Georgian building will offer modern facilities over four floors.

As well as a 21st century library, there will be a number of attractive and well-equipped rooms for hire.  The building will be fully-accessible to all, including wheelchair users.

If you wish to suggest, organise or attend activities in this beautiful, historic Grade II* listed building, set in an award-winning park, please contact us.

As an individual, or major corporation, you may wish to hire a space for events such as training courses, exhibitions, performances, functions, group meetings, counselling and much more.

To discuss your ideas and learn more about the spaces available, please ring 020 8314 8814 or email manorhouseproject {at} lewisham.gov(.)uk

It’s a great opportunity for you to be involved and make the most of this resource within our community.