South London Weekly - April 5th 2024

'i was told my breathing caused

We are a London Living Wage employer

Do you have a story for our news team? Call 0207 231 5258 you can Whatsapp us on 07494 070 863.

663 new homes planned for woolwich

Greenwich Council to build over 650 new homes and a park on the former Royal a rsenal site in Woolwich.

The project, called The Ropeyards, would bring 663 new homes to the site between Duke of Wellington Avenue and Beresford Street, including 306 ‘affordable’ units. Flats would include combined kitchen and living spaces as well as private balconies.

The blocks would range from nine to 18 storeys in height. The homes come as part of the Berkeley Group’s wider masterplan to deliver over 5,000 new homes in the Royal Arsenal Riverside area.

The plans would also see a new four acre park, named Maribor Park, being added to the area as a result of drawings from HTA Design. The green space would be positioned above the current tunnels for the Elizabeth line. The wider site would also have podium gardens including social areas with seating and play spaces for children.

Planning documents from Stantec, on behalf of Berkeley, said: “The Ropeyards seeks to provide a safe and welcoming home, to intertwine with the local community, thriving cultural scene and local employment. The proposal interweaves design with the history of Royal Arsenal and the new public park will locate high quality and low carbon homes within the new nature.”

Separate planning documents from PRP Architects, on behalf of Berkeley Homes, said: “The scheme focuses on a new park at the heart of the site. It creates a local destination greenspace within the development and stitches together Woolwich Town Centre, Woolwich Arsenal and the Thames.”

The site currently includes a temporary park, car park and construction site offices. They added that the project has undergone a series of consultation stages with Greenwich Council and the local community which have informed the submitted plans, such as including an additional gym for residents.

The plans said: “Modern architectural details have been crafted to celebrate the

Community Matters Media has been running independent newspapers since 1987, and now boasts the weeklies: South London Weekly, Southwark News and Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender, as well as the lifestyle magazines The South Londoner and Bermondsey Biscuit & Rotherhithe Docker

You can view all our content on www.southlondon.co.uk and sign up to newsletters to stay informed about news, lifestyle & events, people, sport and history.

We believe in community and in balanced, independent and responsible journalism. As a south London business, we also work to support fellow local businesses.

A dedicated team of staff work tirelessly to cover as much of what is going on as possible and strive to ensure that community-led, independent newspapers can survive and excel in a market dominated by national and multinational media groups. The South London Weekly is an independent newspaper covering all of south London and beyond

rich heritage assets of the Royal Arsenal Riverside masterplan creating identity and proportion along the park edge. The design draws inspiration from the site’s

history through subtle references and proposed materials palette.”

Picture 1: A CGI of one of the new buildings for the project based on the corner of New

Warren Lane and Duke of Wellington Avenue. Picture 2: A CGI of Maribur Park while looking south. Credit: PRP Architects / Berkeley Homes

from blue rinses to bum facials: this salon has been styling camberwell for nearly forty years

By Isabel Ramirez

a FaMIlY-run salon, which locals describe as ‘the best thing in Camberwell’, has survived for nearly 40 years within an ever-changing area.

Whilst businesses left, right and centre are closing, Head to Toe Salon on Camberwell Church Street has stood strong - but what makes it so special?

We went to see Fay Francis, who took on the business from her mum and aunt around seven years ago.

“When it opened in 1987, my mum was the beauty therapist and my aunty was the hairdresser,” she told us.

Going from washing hair and sweeping at thirteen years old, Fay now ‘runs the show.’

Having been around so long, they have a plethora of loyal customers, including exSouthwark Mayor, Vicky Naish - who has been going for 24 years and ‘wouldn’t go anywhere else.’

“I like it because they do what I want - not just what they want,” Vicky, who is now in her 80s, told us, “And they always fit me in, even at short notice.

“They even let me bring my own shampoo.”

Since the ‘80s, the salon has undergone a few ‘makeovers’ - with plush leather chairs and a flower wall having replaced the dated wooden interior from when it opened.

But Fay said although she’s modernised

“But for as long as I can remember, Head to Toe has been here. I think it’s just got something special that other places don’t have I guess.”

Sam, who lives in Bermondsey, goes to the salon for her weekly blow-dry.

The mum-of-two said both of her children are autistic and at other salons, she has even been told to leave because ‘they didn’t understand.’

it to ‘keep up with the times’ it was important to make sure everyone still felt welcome.

“We’ve still kept the old-school vibe of the salon.

“We still write everything by hand - we take cash. None of us have fancy gadgets.

She added: “I just think it keeps the tradition of the place and the feel of a family business.”

One regular, Jill - whom Fay described as an ‘absolute delight’ - died suddenly

during the pandemic. “She’d been coming since before I was even born.

“She used to come in to help out on reception for free sometimes if we were busy.”

Fay said that even though funeral numbers were limited at the time, she and her mum attended. “Jill used to joke and say when she died, she wanted me to make her a tiara so she would feel like a queen on her deathbed.

“So I did. It broke my heart.”

She added: “We see these people all the time - they are part of our family. There would be no business without the people.”

Carrie Jordan, who said she gets ‘anything you can think of’ done at the salon, said: “I’ve been coming here for about 17 years and my mum has been coming for much longer.

“I’ve always lived around Camberwell and even now there’s lots of places that open and then close quite quickly - I don’t think it’s an easy place to thrive in.

“But here they’re really good,” she said, “my daughter got her first haircut when she was four and now she’s twelve and still comes here. They have an understanding of autism. They know my kids and my kids know them and feel comfortable here.

“It’s the best place in Camberwell.”

Their loyalty to their regulars might be unmatched, but Fay is not afraid of experimenting with new things - including their own creation: ‘the bum facial.’

“It’s a lot more popular than people would think,” she revealed.

“Everyone’s taking pictures of their bums as much as their faces now.

Fay explained the treatment involves steaming and exfoliating the area: “People usually get it before they go on holiday.”

“We try to introduce something for everyone,” she joked.

Asked if she’s planning on keeping this going for another 40 years - Fay said: “The responses we get from people and how much we affect their lives - I can’t imagine giving that up.

“Making people feel good is like a drug.”

Right: Fay with one of her regulars, Sam

One of the many ‘hair transformations’ the salon has conducted.

Before (1980s)

The salon today

residents and politicians unite in plea to end ‘traffic mayhem’ on l ower r oad

By Herbie Russell

loC al PolitiC ians have urged southwark Council to “end the chaos” on lower Road reportedly caused by a new cycle lane.

Councillors’ calls for action have come just days after a cyclist was hospitalised in a collision at one of the junctions.

Rotherhithe residents have endured “miles of backed up traffic” since construction started last summer, the Liberal Democrat councillors have said.

When approached for comment last week, Southwark Council said the cycleway was part of its “huge amount of work to make the borough more cycle-friendly”.

The Labour-run council had reportedly assured residents the gridlock would subside once works were completed but residents claim the issues have continued.

Lib Dem Councillor Adam Hood has now called on the council and Transport for London (TfL) to “start coming up with serious, long-term solutions”.

Cycleway 4, a continuous lane from London Bridge to Greenwich, was hailed as creating “a clearer and safer” route for cyclists, by TfL on its official opening earlier this month.

The 1.3km two-way protected cycle track along Lower Road was heralded as the “final piece of the puzzle”, by TfL who worked on the scheme with Southwark Council.

But local residents and businesses claim it’s created gridlock along Lower Road - from the junction at Plough Way through Redriff Road and up to the Rotherhithe Tunnel.

Residents were further incensed after a cyclist was injured in a collision with a car on Ann Moss Way - where some say cyclists are forced into oncoming traffic.

Septimus, a local worker who was at the scene, slammed the newfangled junction. He said: “It’s crazy. It’s high risk. Just one of these days I was saying we need to have the traffic lights. I knew something was going to happen.”

Bimbe, a local worker who was also at the scene, said: “Nearly two weeks ago it nearly happened to me… this is a hazard!”

Southwark Council has reportedly said the ongoing disruption is caused by traffic light timings and abuses of parking and loading.

But after speaking with residents, Cllr Hood has urged the council to consider significant changes to the scheme’s design.

Potential solutions include changed traffic light timings, repainted parking bays and a ‘no U-turn’ sign on Worgan Street, Cllr Hood said.

He has also called for a “full review” of the Ann Moss Way-Lower Road junction, where the cyclist was injured. Surrey Docks Councillor Adam Hood said: “The community has been dealing with this issue for far too long. The council said the traffic would improve after the cycle lane was complete but it clearly has got no better and now we’ve had a serious accident on a junction

Emergency services were called to Ann Moss Way

Cyclist caught in collision

a C yClist was involved in a collision with a car on lower Road in Rotherhithe last week.

London Ambulance Service was called to the junction of Ann Moss Way at 12.37pm on Tuesday, March 26.

An ambulance was dispatched and a patient was treated at the scene before being taken to a major trauma centre.

Police were also at the scene discussing the collision with witnesses.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 12:37 this afternoon (March 26) to reports of a road traffic collision between a bicycle and a car at the junction of Lower Road and Ann Moss Way, SE16.

“We dispatched an ambulance to scene. We treated a patient at the scene before taking them to a major trauma centre.”

The Met Police have been approached for comment.

we knew was a concern. People feel ignored and let down.

“TfL and Southwark Council need to come together, treat this problem with

the urgency it merits and start coming up with serious, long-term solutions.”

Southwark Council and TfL have been approached for their latest comments.

Cycleway

Local funeral directors’ long-held concerns

a key local business have long stressed its concerns over Cycleway 4 branding it an “accident waiting to happen”.

Funeral directors F a albin and sons is off lower Road and has served the community for over 200 years.

it’s also home to a cemetery where thousands of people’s ashes are buried.

Owner Jon Dyer said the traffic along lower Road had become “unbearable” since works began on the cycleway.

Whereas before there were four lanes of motor traffic, two northbound and two southbound, a southbound lane has been removed to accommodate a new cycle lane.

Much of the company’s clientele live in areas like sidcup and Blackheath but drive in to visit the albin Memorial Garden.

“People say having their mum’s ashes here keeps them connected,” Jon said.

he added: “But on a saturday afternoon, it’s not even worth them attempting to come and visit and it shouldn’t be like that. it’s got to the point where it’s unbearable.”

His brother Simon Dyer, also a co-owner, said the cycle lane was confusing with cyclists often going the wrong way down the road.

he said: “this cycle highway. If you watch the bikes, they go straight through the red lights. it’s crazy.”

Simon Dyer outside F A Albin and Sons

herne hill primary is ‘outstanding’ but school being hit by falling numbers

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter

andRea PaRkeR wasn’t surprised when one of the three south london primary schools she leads was rated ‘outstanding’ by ofsted.

Ms Parker, who leads a federation of three primary schools in Lambeth, said the rating was simply a reflection of where Jessop Primary School was at.

But sitting to the left of her in an upstairs office at the school on Lowden Road on Tuesday, March 26, Kenneth Baffoe, head of Jessop Primary, admits to a degree of anxiety before Ofsted arrived. It had been over a decade since the school was last visited by the education watchdog and it was his first inspection as head of the school.

The bar was set high. Last time Ofsted came in 2012 the school was rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas except one, and in recent years London has seen a string of previously outstanding schools plummet in their ratings after such a long gap between inspections.

Any worry Mr Baffoe had swiftly

“Each child has the opportunity to develop a key skill. This includes swimming, cycling and horse riding excursions.”

evaporated when the results of the inspection were published on Wednesday, March 20. Jessop Primary School maintained its top rating and the Ofsted report was glowing.

The school was praised for setting ‘consistently high expectations’ and quickly identifying and nurturing pupils’ talents. The curriculum was described as ‘meticulously designed’. Additional experiences offered by the school encouraged pupils to be ‘ambitious about their futures’, the report added.

Following the report’s publication, local MP Helen Hayes called Jessop ‘a fantastic community school’. Ben Kind, a Lambeth councillor responsible for education, said staff had ‘much to be proud of’.

New Sainsbury’s Local opens in Camberwell

By Herbie Russell

a BRand new sainsbury’s local has opened on Camberwell Road offering food, a Costa Coffee Machine and a Click & Collect point.

The supermarket opened the store in February following the success of an outlet on Peckham Road which opened in 2016.

The 3,014 sq ft shop by Burgess Park is based inside a unit below Wyndham Studios, a 59-apartment residential development.

The store is just a ten-minute walk from the M&S on Walworth Road which

recently announced its closure after over 100 years of serving local shoppers.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said:

“We’re always looking for opportunities to open fantastic new Sainsbury’s stores in great locations and Camberwell Road presented us with a chance to bring Sainsbury’s commitment to providing ‘Good food for all of us’ closer to more customers in South London as part of a modern development on a busy junction.

“We hope the new store will build on the success of our nearby convenience store on Peckham Road, which as proved popular with customers since it opened in 2016.”

“It’s about developing a curriculum that opens up opportunities for children that they would otherwise not encounter,” Mr Baffoe told me.

“Each child has the opportunity to develop a key skill. This includes swimming, cycling and horse riding excursions. Every child has the opportunity to learn the violin or cello and children have exposure to a plethora of instruments they continue to learn through school.”

“Our curriculum is all about ensuring children have additional opportunities. It’s about giving them an eye into the wider world,” Ms Parker added.

“Children don’t come here to meet their potential; children come here and discover their potential. Creative arts and quality drama gives children the

appetite to learn more.”

A third (32.7 per cent) of students at the school are on free school meals, higher than the national average of 23.8 per cent. All the while, houses on the same street as the school regularly sell in excess of £1 million. The result is a school community which comes from a wide range of social backgrounds.

To encourage mixing between parents, the school runs a number of initiatives, including joint sports days and a ‘dad’s club’, where fathers and their children come together and do activities.

“The guys who come might not hang out together normally but the school designs a programme of parental engagement. If it’s possible in our school community, it’s possible on a larger scale,” Mr Baffoe explained.

Such is the community among parents at the school, numerous parents wrote letters sharing their views of the school which they handed to inspectors. The contents of the letters formed part of Ofsted’s evidence for its report.

Yet the school faces a threat to its future that even all the parental support

and top Ofsted reports in the world can’t prevent – there aren’t enough kids. Lambeth Council is reducing the school’s reception intake from 45 pupils to 30 from September, due to the falling number of children in the borough.

“The local authority recently asked for it to be a one form entry school. It’s going from a two form to a one form entry school. As a maintained school free at the point of delivery for our community, it’s a shame,” Ms Parker said.

“It’s to do with the [falling] birth rate and the removal of families who rely on social housing from London, and the developments going up are not being affordable or family friendly,” Mr Baffoe added.

Brexit and the cost of living have exacerbated the problem, according to Ms Parker. Families can get more for their money outside of London and enjoy a better quality of life.

“What we want really is to have a great school, which we have, and for as many children to access it as possible,” she said.

Kenneth Baffoe, head of Jessop Primary School and Andrea Parker, executive headteacher of the BJS Federation

Jessop Primary School in Herne Hill, South London © Google Street View

By Isabel Ramirez

the oRGaniseRs of one of the biggest fringe theatre events in england said they will continue to support artists, despite the festival closing for good.

Last month, the VAULT Festival announced its closure after failing to secure funding for a new venue.

From 2012 until 2023, the Edinburghstyle festival was based in The Vaults – an underground venue in Waterloo’s graffiti tunnel.

Since it began, the festival programmed more than 3,000 shows from over 12,000 emerging artists – including launching the careers of comedians like Joe Lycett, Mae Martin and James Acaster.

Andy George, CEO and co-founder of VAULT Festival commented on the end of an era.

“It’s a huge loss and it’s getting more and more difficult for the grassroots artists to start careers, let alone maintain them.

“Creatives, artists and performers need these kinds of festivals and venues to learn their trade and hone their craft.

“Not everyone can get to the West End or will find a show that’s on there which speaks to them, but they may find that at a smaller venue outside zone one or somewhere else in the city or the country.”

He continued: “I think we made the sector more diverse and inclusive.

“We encouraged experimenting and embracing all talent and gave artists a platform to hone their craft and learn their trade. We also encouraged people to have fun while they’re doing it.

Vault

organisers

‘will continue to support’ new artists despite end of festival

“It

One of the ways it was inclusive, was that there was no charge for artists to put a show on.

Naomi Westerman, a playwright based in Woolwich, said she started her career at the VAULT Festival because of how accessible it was.

She runs the disabled fringe theatre company Little but Fierce.

“Over the years I’ve had five productions at Vault, including two which went on to win awards and transfer to major theatres. None of that would have happened without Vault.”

The 44-year-old continued: “It was a phenomenal showcase for people with limited access.

“It’s free - you don’t have to pay them upfront. Compared to taking a show to Edinburgh which is very expensive.”

She explained that the festival even provided support to its artists, with tech and marketing.

“Over the last few years, we’ve lost a lot of creative opportunities, like at the Old Vic for instance.

“It feels like all the pathways for emerging artists are just closing – it’s terrifying.”

She added that as a playwright, it’s very difficult to get work – a feat that has been made harder without the annual festival.

“There are other fringe festivals, but they

don’t have a big reputation. Critics go to the Vault Festival. “There’s a buzz.”

The VAULT Creative Arts, the charity behind the VAULT Festival, runs The Glitch – an arts café in Waterloo which is staying open.

Andy said: “The charity intends to continue to work through their venue which supports emerging artists and LGBTQ+ led collectives and they will look to keep the spirit of VAULT Festival alive.”

He said that whilst there is ‘no feasible option’ for the festival to return, he hopes others will ‘continue to push for change.’

Naomi added that a group of more experienced creatives are currently banding together to do just that. They are organising an event to explore how established theatre artists could support new and emerging theatre artists, following the ‘death’ of the Vault Festival.

For updates on this, check out @ waptheatre on X.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from The Vaults venue itself said they are ‘always looking for new shows’ to commission for the space and will continue to do so as usual.

was a phenomenal showcase for people with limited access.”

Andy George, CEO and co-founder of VAULT Festival

© Kate Hockenhull photography

things to do during the rest of the easter holidays in south london

By Isabel Ramirez

FRoM May Pole dancing to meeting fluffy animals - here’s our pick of free things to do with the kids over the easter break.

Spring has sprung at the Southbank Southbank Centre is putting on a day of spring activities in its roof garden.

Drop in for creative workshops led by local artists, and pop-up performances throughout the day.

Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX

When: Wednesday 3 April

Admission: Free

Around the Maypole Head to the Riverside Terrace at Southbank Centre for a family ceilidh jam centred around a traditional Maypole. Learn the dance routine to live music, mixing maypole dancing with street dance.

Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX

When: Sunday 7 April

Admission: Free

Bunnies on the Old Kent Road

Meet some animals at Pets at Home

The ‘My Pet Pals’ workshops will be returning for Easter. Running until Sunday 14 April, come and join in on this cool workshop that’s all about Fish. Kids can watch how they swim and learn some fun facts about them while also getting involved in some

crafts and colouring. Kids will receive activity sheets, and a My Pet Pals certificate, and there is a chance to meet some of our amazing animals.

Recommended age 4+

When: Daily until Sunday 14 April

Where: Pets at Home, Old Kent Road

Admission: Free (reserve a spot here.)

Workshop for kids while you shop

Easter workshops are on at IKEA this holiday.

Whilst you’re shopping or in the area, kids can enjoy a range of crafts workshops - including egg decorating and wreath making.

When: Various dates and times

Where: IKEA Greenwich, 55-57

Bugsby’s Way, SE10 0QJ

Admission: Free

Alpacas in Vauxhall

Head to Vauxhall City Farm, it is home to goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs and even a trio of inquisitive alpacas called Cookie, Rolo and Toffee.

If you go at a weekend and head to Cuddle Corner - you can get close to some of the smaller residents, or buy a VIP Meet & Greet experience where you can spend 20 minutes with your favourite furry, or not-so-furry, friend.

Where: Vauxhall City Farm, 165 Tyers Street, Vauxhall, SE11 5HS

When: Tuesday to Sunday 10:30am4pm (booking for large groups only.)

Admission: Free

Gaming at Waterloo

Board game bonanza at Draughts, all kids under 12 can play a range of board games for free - with a fullpaying adult.

Where: Draughts Waterloo, Arch 16, Leake St, SE1 7NN

When: Always

admission: Free (for adults it’s £7.50-£9.50).

Trail around Docklands

The Museum of London Docklands has a free family-friendly (age 3+) trail through its galleries. Help city rat Riley Ratcliffe learn about some of her ancestors on display in the museum. There are various other children’s activities on certain dates through the holidays too — click here for more information.

Where: Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, E14 4AL

When: Saturday 30 March- Sunday 14 April

Admission: Free

SENsory Sailors in Greenwich

This is a brand new play session at National Maritime Museum in Greenwich for children with special educational needs.

Disabled children, children with additional needs and their families are invited to the monthly session led by disabled creatives, who will respond to the needs of the families participating.

Explore the museum’s collections, enjoy the opportunity to be creative together as a family, and meet other local families, too.

Where: National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, SE10 9NF

When: Saturday 13 April 2024, monthly on Saturdays, 11am to 12:30pm

Admission: Pre-book for free online

Family ceilidh at Southbank Centre

© Cesare DeGiglio

sadiQ khan announces plans for new ‘bakerloop’ eXpress bus from elephant & castle to lewisham

By Isabel Ramirez

a neW express bus from elephant and Castle to lewisham is part of sadiq khan’s plans if he is re-elected next month.

The Mayor of London said the new route will track that of the proposed Bakerloo line extension. He has also reiterated his warning that the election will be close between him and the Tory candidate.

The Superloop-style service would run from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham, stopping at new locations at Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, and New Cross Gate.

To be christened the ‘Bakerloop’, buses are expected kitted out in brown livery, fittings and moquettes to match the colour scheme of the Bakerloo line.

Khan’s Conservative opponent in the 2 May mayoral election is opposed to the Mayor’s TfL fares freeze and his trial of Off-Peak Fridays which offer reduced fares.

The new express bus service is hoped to help kickstart housing development in the area, while work on the tube extension is progressed.

Khan is currently ‘finalising details’ of the Bakerloo Tube extension, with construction set to commence by the

end of the decade. The 4.7-mile route would include several new stations and improve connectivity to National Rail, Overground and buses.

TfL estimates that the Bakerloo extension would support at least 10,000 new local jobs, 85,000 additional local jobs within 45 minutes of Lewisham, and 50,000 new homes.

Like the proposed Bakerloop bus, it will end at Lewisham. However, proposals for a second phase could see the Tube line extend further, terminating at Hayes.

TfL data has shown that Superloop services are popular with the public, with ridership figures showing demand on the initial tranche of Superloop routes is 15 per cent higher than the network average level.

Richard Simpson, the owner of Cummin’ Up Caribbean since 1991, said the bus would help local businesses.

“I was very fortunate to get a site right next to New Cross Gate and one of the key benefits is that anyone who was travelling to the city would have to go through New Cross.

“Access to public transport and the provision of public transport was a

Man accused of stabbing and groping

By Herbie Russell

a Man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after an alleged stabbing at kennington underground Station.

Nicholas Orlando Green, 35, has also been charged with sexual assault after a person reported being groped as the suspect left the station.

Officers were called to the station at 10.30pm on Wednesday, March 27, following reports of a stabbing on the northbound platform.

Police said a second man was believed to have been injured after attempting to prevent the attack.

Green, of Kennington Park Road,

key factor in helping my business to succeed and the new Bakerloop bus service will only be of greater benefit to local businesses.”

Sadiq Khan said: “The new Superloop services have been a huge success in outer London so far, and if I’m re-elected the new Bakerloop Express will help Londoners get between Elephant & Castle, Old Kent Road, New Cross and Lewisham much quicker and more easily.

“I continue to make the case as strongly as ever that we need the Bakerloo line Tube extension to get underway as soon as possible, and TfL is lobbying ministers about the funding the project needs. In the meantime, I’m determined that we do all we can to provide the very best service across south London.

Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council said this was ‘great news for South London.’

He commented: “It’s yet another investment in our community from the Labour Mayor of London. We’re already working with Sadiq to upgrade Elephant and Castle station and to deliver thousands of new jobs and truly affordable homes along the Old Kent Road. This new express service will keep all of this work moving forward at pace.”

has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and one count of sexual assault in relation to an incident.

He was scheduled to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Saturday, March 30.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to Kennington underground station at around 10.30pm on 27 March following reports of a man being stabbed on the northbound platform. A second man was also believed to be injured after bravely stepping in to try to prevent the attack.

“A further member of the public later reported being groped as the suspect left the station.”

By newsdesk

staR WaRs actor John Boyega has spoken about his childhood friendship with damilola taylor in Peckham, and how his poem read at his funeral ultimately spurred him on with his ambition to be a movie star.

He was interviewed by John Wilson on BBC Radio 4’s Last Word, as part of a look at the life of Richard Taylor, Damilola’s father - who died last week after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Boyega was one of the last people to see ten-year-old Damilola alive before he was fatally stabbed in the leg in a Peckham stairwell in 2000. Speaking of those final hours, the actor, who was eight at the time of Damilola’s killing, said:

“From the hours we left him in Peckham to the hours when I went home, and then the police were at our door and there was a whole investigation that we were involved in, was definitely life-changing for me, definitely altered my perspective.”

“Even though I was young, it was a shock to understand how mortality worked. To think that somebody as young as me could pass away in such a horrific way was hard for me

to understand or comprehend. And I definitely think [his death] has shaped me through the years and just affected my perspective on certain things.”

He spoke about a poem that Damilola had written and which his father read at his funeral, about, “how far he wanted his dreams to spread”. It “gave birth to this mentality that I had”, Boyega said. “What is truly my dream? Do I have the guts to identify what my dream is? Am I too young to identify my dream and work towards it?

“And after reading that poem, I was just like, yeah, I have no excuse. I want to be a movie star.”

Boyega admitted that he had never spoken publicly about his friend before. “I’m quite private in general, but with this specifically, it’s that celebrity thing of not wanting to get in front of very real-life news.” But he decided to talk after Richard Taylor’s death, adding: “Now that he’s gone, if I don’t speak up now, when am I ever going to speak up?”

The actor also had warm words for the Damilola Taylor Trust, set up by his parents after their son died, and called Mr. Taylor someone who was “for the people and the community” who turned his son’s “tragic loss into something triumphant”.

By Isabel Ramirez

a sinGle mum on the aylesbury estate, who has spent years in a flat infested with rats, was featured on an episode of itv’s tonight programme last week.

Georgie Howell showed the nightmares she has endured on a programme that looks into Britain’s pest problem - and whether it is ‘spiralling out of control.’

This paper previously covered her story in December 2022 - and the problem appears to have only gotten worse.

On the show, an emotional Georgie, who has lived on the Walworth estate

Aylesbury estate mum’s rat infestation nightmare featured on ITV News special

for four years, says: “I’m actually living with cockroaches, rats and mice, centipedes - you name it, it’s here.”

She went on to explain that now her children ‘don’t want to be there’ and frequently stay out of the house.

“My little boy always says to me... I want to stay out. He doesn’t want to come home and it makes me feel like a bad mum because he always wants to stay at my mum’s or my nan’s.”

She was one of four people to feature on the programme which aired on Thursday 28 March at 8:30 pm.

Although Southwark Council did not respond at the time of the show, a spokesperson later commented: “Pests present a complex challenge for councils nationwide, exacerbated

by factors like climate change and evolving pest behaviours.

“Nevertheless, we remain steadfast in providing free and responsive pest control services to our tenants. While the Aylesbury Estate goes through change, the health and well-being of our tenants on-site is a key priority and we are finalising plans to reduce infestation including improved waste storage and adding improved waste disposal facilities.

“This will reduce access to food sources by rodents and support the work of the pest control teams in addressing rodent infestations on the estate.”

Catch up on Home Invasion: Britain’s Pest Problem on ITVX.

Playground looks unrecognisable after extreme makeover

By Isabel Ramirez

a kids’ ball court between Bermondsey and Rotherhithe has had a huge makeover, complete with a table tennis table and sprint tracks.

Silwood Basketball Court was one of seven under-used sites across London and Essex to be transformed - and now it looks unrecognisable.

Housing Association L&Q invested £1m to modernise the sports areas, in a bid to ‘tackle inactivity and inequality.’

Along with some new running tracks and an all-weather table tennis table

- the crumbling basketball court has been completely revamped, with an astroturf court and hoops.

The investment also went towards creating a new play area at the pocket park on Island Road in Bermondseycomplete with a climbing frame, swings and a slide, as well as picnic tables. 12:37

The work done by L&Q, Axis Europe and Play Innovation on these two parks saw them receive a prestigious award from the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) for Small Sports or Play Project of the Year (under £350k).

Georgie Howell.

police picture appeal after disorder by ‘birmingham supporters’ at the den

By Herbie Russell

PoliCe aRe trying to identify eleven people after disorder following the Millwall v Birmingham match left several officers injured.

The men, who police believe are all Birmingham supporters, are wanted in connection with the incident outside The Den on Saturday, March 9. Detectives are also reviewing video footage to identify those involved. Met Police officers arrested a 29-yearold man in Birmingham on suspicion of affray on Tuesday, March 26. He was taken into custody in Birmingham before being released on bail.

Council in fourth push for Rotherhithe Village CPZ

EXCLUSIVE

By Herbie Russell

RotheRhithe Residents are suffering déjà vu after launching their fourth battle against Rotherhithe parking restrictions in the last 26 years.

Local campaigner Andy Hind says Southwark Council’s plan to introduce a control parking zone (CPZ) - meaning residents must pay up to £300 to park - is a “moneymaking scheme”.

The 65-year-old remembers when the council “wrongly” said the opening of the Jubilee Line Extension in 1999 would escalate local parking pressure and thinks a CPZ is just as unnecessary today.

Southwark Council was approached for comment but did not respond.

West Midlands Police have been helping the Met with its investigation.

Detective Constable Phil Dickinson, of the Met’s Public Order Crime Team, said: “The vast majority of football supporters are there to enjoy the game, with a small number spoiling the atmosphere for others.

Police believe all the men pictured are Birmingham fans. Credit: Met Police

“The Met’s unit that deals with disorder at football matches will prosecute those looking to engage in criminality before, during or after fixtures in London.” Anyone able to identify anyone in the images is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, 100 per cent anonymously, with the reference number of the image which you wish to identify.

The proposed boundaries of a new Rotherhithe Village CPZ

© Southwark Council Consultation Documents

New superhero series filmed in Peckham and Deptford

By Isabel Ramirez

a neW superhero series is coming to netflix and it’s filmed in Peckham and deptford.

From the creator of Blue Story, Rapman, comes ‘Supacell’ - a six-part sci-fi drama which follows a group of ordinary people from South London who find out they have superpowers.

As the five characters grapple with their newfound abilities, one man must unite them all to help save the love of his life, Dionne (played by Adelayo Adedayo - The Responder and Some Girls).

The brand-new series will premiere on Netflix in June.

Although the exact locations haven’t been released yet, the first shot in the trailer shows Rye Lane so we can only guess it is based close by.

Other scenes show Deptford High Street and Burgess Park.

Along with Adelayo Adedayo, the main cast includes Tosin Cole (61st, Street, Till, Ear for Eye); Nadine Mills (Sliced and The Weekend); Eric Kofi Abrefa (Blue Story, BMF); Calvin Demba (The Rig, Life, Micky and the Bear); Josh Tedeku (Moonhaven, A Town Called Malice) and Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan and Deadpool 2).

You can watch the trailer now on YouTube.

Two Papa Johns stores to close in Southwark

By Herbie Russell

“Taking free parking spaces away and making people pay by other means is an infringement of the whole area.”

The proposed zone, stretching from the Rotherhithe Tunnel to Elephant Lane, is currently an island of free parking surrounded by a sea of CPZs.

Private roads and those on housing estates are excluded from the scheme including St Marys Estate, Henley Close, Adams Garden Estate, Western Place and Clarence Mews. Southwark Council claims the

Andy, whose paper petition against the plans has garnered roughly 65 signatures, said: “There’s a lot of free spaces… friends come round and they can park on the street and they don’t have to pay or whatever.

“majority of roads” in the area have high parking pressure of 80 per cent or more.

By introducing a CPZ, it hopes to reduce parking pressure and encourage residents to walk and cycle and instead of driving.

But Andy insists “there’s a lot of free spaces” adding that when “friends come round and they can park on the street and they don’t have to pay or whatever”.

He said Southward Council had previously proposed parking permit schemes for the Rotherhithe Village area in 1998, 2003 and between 2016

and 2018.

But the council says there have been ‘changes over the years’ resulting in added parking pressures meaning a fourth CPZ proposal in 26 years. It did not say what these changes were when approached for comment.

The proposed Rotherhithe Village CPZ comes just weeks after Southwark Council unveiled its revised zones in Nunhead, Dulwich and Queens Road.

The latest consultation period for the CPZ ended on March 17. If Southwark Council decides to press ahead with the plans, there will be a statutory consultation in July 2024.

PiZZa loveRs will be disappointed to hear that two Papa Johns outlets in southwark are closing down.

The stores in Peckham and East Dulwich are among sixteen in London and 43 in the UK earmarked for closure.

The pizza chain has decided to slice away at outlets that are deemed to be ‘underperforming’.

Papa Johns, the UK’s second-biggest pizza takeaway brand, operates 524 locations across the UK.

The chain’s first British restaurant opened in 1999 in Gray’s in Essex.

The pizza giant announced in January that as many as 100 store locations could be facing the chop.

s outhwark c ouncil defends sale of highvalue council homes

By Herbie Russell

S O ut H wark C O un CI l has defended its decision to ease the sale of dilapidated council homes in its wealthiest areas.

This paper revealed earlier this month that the council had approved a rule change making it easier to flog posh flats that fall into disrepair.

Previously, council officers could only approve the sale of council assets worth less than £750,000 with the cabinet’s approval. But now only sales over £3 million require the cabinet’s thumbs up.

Charmain Graves, Chair of resident organisation Bankside Village, said the council should avoid selling its voids - a term used to describe homes in disrepair.

Speaking at Council Assembly (March 20), she suggested the council invest more in voids to “alleviate the hardship” of people on the housing waiting list.

Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Finance responded by saying the voids being sold were

too expensive to refit.

She added that sale proceeds would be invested in the existing housing stock and “steady” the council’s housing fund.

Graves also said the Labour-run council should wait for a change in government which could mean local authorities have more money to renovate voids.

But Cllr Cryan admitted a Labour victory wouldn’t necessarily mean improved local funding deals for local authorities.

She said it could be “some time” before councils get “more favourable settlements” because of a decade of Conservative financial policy around local authority funding.

Cllr Cryan did not specify any particular policy but she has previously criticised the 2012 Welfare Reform Act.

This meant councils had to reduce rent levels by one per cent each year from 2016, which Cllr Cryan has previously said “dismantled” councils’ financial models

c amberwell school closure the ‘only viable option’, s outhwark c ouncil says

By Herbie Russell

a CaMBeRWell primary school must close as it is the ‘only viable option’, Southwark Council has said.

Dismayed parents at Comber Grove Primary School have held a rally and events opposing the closure since November.

But Southwark Council has said the school’s falling pupil numbers, and its £185,000 budget deficit, mean it should close this August.

The council is now publicising its closure proposals with cabinet councillors set to vote on the final decision to close in June.

If approved, Southwark Council has said it will not sell the school building and instead use it for educational purposespossibly as a centre for SEND children.

Cllr Jasmine Ali, Cabinet Member for Education, wrote to parents: “I am so sorry that I have been unable to find a way to

South London kids get the chance to have their poems displayed on trains

By Isabel Ramirez

k ids a R e being invited to enter a national poetry contest where they could win the chance to get their poems published on trains.

The competition asks children aged 5-13 to write about one of their favourite places to travel to on a Thameslink train, or a place on the train line they think other people should visit.

It is being run by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) in partnership with Children’s Laureate and poet, Joseph Coelho.

Submissions are now open and will close on Friday 10 May. Ten lucky winners will then have their poems displayed on trains and at stations across the GTR network, so they can be read and admired by travellers far

and wide.

They will also receive complimentary return rail travel for themselves and four family members – for a summer adventure of their choice.

Open for six weeks, the competition aims to encourage children’s creativity and reduce screen time by tasking young people to write a short poem about somewhere they love to visit by train.

To inspire young, budding poets, Joseph Coelho has written his own piece, titled ‘To Hastings We Go!’ and inspired by a family’s exciting trip to Hastings on a train.

Joseph Coelho, who will be judging the winning entries, said: “Poetry is a wonderful way to get children exploring their innate creativity and their voice, helping them to see that their words have power.

“One of my earliest memories of writing is during a poetry competition when I was twelve years old, so I am truly looking forward to reading the entries. I encourage the youngsters who get involved in GTR’s poetry competition to have fun with it and good luck to all who enter.”

Poems will be judged based on language and structure; theme; creativity and uniqueness and inspiration.

Winners will be contacted between 3-14 June before the official announcement on 24 June.

To enter GTR’s Poetry in Motion competition and view full T&C’s, go to. thameslinkrailway.com/

poetryinmotion

Submissions are open now and close 23:59 on Friday 10 May

keep the school open – I know how much the school is loved by you, your children and the surrounding community.”

She pledged to support parents and staff, both of whom have previously complained about poor communication by Southwark Council.

Southwark, and boroughs across London, are struggling to keep primary schools amid falling admissions which is caused by numerous factors.

Schools receiving funding on a per pupil basis meaning schools with fewer registered pupils receive less government funding.

At Comber Grove, there are only 140 pupils despite the school having capacity for 240, a council report said.

Cllr Ali said this had left the school with a £185,000 funding shortfall which is “only likely to get worse”. This low number of pupils is partially caused by falling local birth rates. In

Camberwell Green ward - where the school is - the birth rate fell by 26 per cent between 2016 and 2021 and is expected to fall another 23 per cent this year.

Soaring housing and rent prices, Southwark Council’s regeneration schemes like that on the Aylesbury, and Brexit have also been cited as factors.

By the summer, Comber Grove is now expected to join a growing list of Southwark schools that have closed.

Since the 2022/2023 academic year, St Francesca Cabrini and Townsend Primary have both closed due to falling admissions.

Meanwhile, Cobourg Primary School has amalgamated with Camelot Primary School and Harris Free has amalgamated with Harris Primary Academy, Peckham in 2023.

Last week, Southwark Council approved the decision to close Ann Bernadt Nursery School in Peckham.

Parents gathered with placards outside Comber Grove Primary School in November

Cllr Stephanie Cryan defend the council’s policy on voids at Council Assembly

Woman says she was told mould was 'caused by her breathing'

By Ben Lynch Local Democracy Reporter

a West london woman who said she was told that her breathing was causing mould has spoken of the ‘soul destroying’ experience of spending three years fighting for repairs to her home.

Emma, who did not wish to give her second name, said her landlord Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) has taken months to carry out works and communicated poorly when issues have arisen at her Shepherd’s Bush property, leading to her resorting to actions including withholding rent and service charge payments.

An NHG spokesperson said they recognise it has taken too long to deal with the mould and ‘sincerely apologise that this is the case’. They added the association is working closely with Emma, and visited her home this month ‘to discuss her frustrations face-to-face’.

Emma told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) soon after moving in December 2020 she noticed issues such as rotting woodwork in her property. Water would also run in under her front door and later under her back door too, causing damage including warping her carpet, which she had to remove.

While repairs were eventually carried out, Emma said they took ‘months’, with only basic fixes implemented.

“Ever since then I have had a mould and a damp problem,” she said. “Over those three years, I have been quite persistent with them in informing them and showing them photos. They probably thought I was quite a pest if I’m going to be honest with you, but that was due to the lack of communication from their side and me not knowing where I stood with them.”

Among the most concerning areas where she found mould spreading has been in her bedroom. The LDRS has seen photos of mould on her walls, her clothes and along her bed’s headboard, which she ended up having to replace.

Emma said despite her continually raising the issue, alongside other residents

living in the block, NHG failed to carry out sufficient repairs. To crown it off, she claims that on one occasion, she was told by a surveyor, during what she said was the only inspection of her home, the mould was due to her breathing.

‘Nothing was working’

Seeking support, Emma said that last year she got in touch with the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC) group. She subsequently decided to withhold rent and service charge payments in protest over the lack of work taking place, in the hope it would improve her situation.

“Nothing else was working,” she said. “Maybe if I went down this route maybe they would meet me halfway, see that I’m withholding, they don’t want me to withhold, go back, let’s sort my property, let’s fix things.”

What followed was a protracted and, for Emma, incredibly stressful period in which she was unsure if she was going to

lose her home.

According to Emma, despite having stopped withholding and paid the charges in full, in December she received a repossession notice from NHG’s lawyers claiming she was in arrears. She responded explaining why she had withheld and that she had settled the accounts, before receiving a call in January from her mortgage lenders, who said they had been instructed to repossess the property due to her still having not paid.

She said she was eventually able to resolve the issue, though felt rattled after being told her home would potentially be taken from her, despite having paid NHG months prior. She also claimed NHG had been aware of her transferring the money, but continued to request the property be repossessed.

“Everything to do with this

company trying to, I don’t even know what they are trying to do apart from repossess my property and get me kicked out.”

Emma has since filed a stage one and more recently a stage two complaint with

NHG, due to what she believes were serious issues in the way the housing association took steps to repossess her home.

‘Be more transparent’

Emma and her neighbour’s homes are currently covered in scaffolding, with work being done to repair damage to the roof. This is after NHG sent workers last year to carry out works without including the roof in the plans, despite residents’ requests.

The LDRS also spoke to another resident who echoed much of Emma’s concerns, in particular around the lack of care taken around repairs.

“Every single thing that I do, sometimes it’s so soul destroying being here. I’m living with mould. They told me for three years I do not have a problem. Well something is wrong, because every time I wipe it away it comes back,” Emma said.

“All I’m asking them to do is to be more transparent and try to trust what the residents are saying and communicate with those residents,” she later added.

A spokesperson for NHG said: “We recognise it has taken too long to deal with the mould here and sincerely apologise that this is the case. We are working very closely with Emma and visited her at home this month to discuss her frustrations face-to-face.

“A surveyor was due to attend on March 21 to carry out a detailed inspection, but for good reason Emma had to cancel. We will return at a time convenient to Emma to investigate the potential causes of mould growth where it has occurred, perform moisture readings throughout her home and look at any other problems raised.

“We want to rebuild trust with Emma and have appointed a senior property management officer to work directly with her until these issues are resolved. More broadly, we remain committed to improving the quality of residents’ homes and are investing £0.5 billion over the next 10 years into this, including work to tackle damp and mould where it is found.”

Gove slams council for ‘unacceptable’ Housing Ombudsman findings

By Ben Lynch

Local Democracy Reporter

tHe HOuSIng secretary Michael Gove has written to hammersmith and Fulham Council setting out ‘grave concerns’ following a damning report by the ombudsman.

Mr Gove wrote the local authority’s approach to repairs and complaint handling documented in the review was ‘unacceptable’, and requested the council’s Chief Executive meet with the Minister for Social Housing to discuss next steps.

A Hammersmith and Fulham spokesperson said: “We look forward to meeting with the Minister for Social Housing at the earliest possibility.”

Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway launched his investigation into the Labourled council in May 2023 over concerns of ‘systemic failure’.

In his report, published in February and which assessed cases determined between May 29 2023 and September 29 2023, Mr Blakeway recorded a total of 72 maladministration findings across 33 cases, at a maladministration rate of 88 per cent.

In one instance, an elderly woman with

health issues had damp and mould in her home. She raised a complaint with the council due to the problems not being resolved, though repeated delays meant the repairs were pushed back. They were finally completed after two years, with the residents’ complaint taking 16 months to progress through the council’s internal process. The woman was eventually paid £3,300 in compensation.

In his report, Mr Blakeway listed a number of recommendations for the council, including creating a clearer process for dealing with repairs, and reviewing its Corporate Complaints policy.

Commenting on the report following its publication, Cllr Victoria BrocklebankFowler, Leader of the Conservative opposition, said: “It is thanks to the Ombudsman becoming involved in LBHF, that the council has been forced to deal with our tenants feeling unsafe in their homes due to failures of repairs and appalling mismanagement. Residents have suffered and the council has been rightly blamed by the Ombudsman. This council claims to be compassionate when it is clear they’re not.”

In Mr Gove’s letter, dated March 22, the Housing Secretary wrote: “The effect of your failings on your residents cannot be underestimated, together with the distress and frustration they must have suffered. Many were left feeling unsafe in their own homes, fearful not only for their safety, but that of their children.

“You failed to recognise or understand the detrimental impact ongoing issues had on both the mental and physical wellbeing of your residents. You failed to consider the impact of not only poor-quality repairs, but extensive delays, inadequate responses, and broken promises, particularly on vulnerable residents.”

Noting the council has accepted the findings, is working to put them right and has apologised and compensated residents, Mr Gove added he understands the Ombudsman has brought the report to the Regulator for Social Housing to determine whether standards had been breached.

“My officials will monitor developments,” he added. “We cannot allow this wholly unacceptable situation to recur.”

Mr Gove concluded by asking the council’s Chief Executive and recipient of the letter, Sharon Lea, to meet with the Minister for

Social Housing, Lee Rowley, “to discuss the findings of the Ombudsman’s report and the steps you are taking to improve your performance”.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), the Conservative Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg hands commented: “Labour H&F Council has been an appalling landlord to its social housing tenants.”

“Fulham deserves better!” he added. In a previous statement responding to the Ombudsman’s report, Hammersmith and Fulham Council apologised to those impacted. “We are truly sorry and reiterate our deepest regrets to those residents affected. We have apologised, compensated, and worked hard to rectify where we let people down.”

Residents brand new plans for a ‘Hyde Park sized’ south London nature reserve ‘huge disappointment’

By Harrison Galliven Local Democracy Reporter

Residents and campaigners across Croydon, Sutton and Merton have expressed dismay at the revised plans for the Beddington Farmlands project. the ‘hyde Park sized’ conservation area, which was planned to act as a haven for at-risk wildlife, has been subject to much controversy over its nearly 20-year lifespan.

The 120-hectare site was initially proposed as South London’s newest wetland habitat nearly 20 years ago and would provide ample space for wildlife and humans. However, campaigners believe plans for farmlands have been ‘watered down’ to the point that they will no longer be fit for purpose.

The plans, validated by Sutton Council on February 22, have come in response to the public consultation over Christmas. During the consultation, Lysanne Horrox, Chair of the Hackbridge and Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Development Group said: “The current plan for the restoration of Beddington Farmlands has failed to meet its objectives.

In response to the plans the Wandle Valley Forum (WVF), a volunteer-run conservation group, has published a list outlining what they argue to be the current site’s ‘major shortcomings’.

Speaking to the LDRS, Tony Burton, Chair of the WVF, said: “The revised plans for Beddington Farmlands are a huge disappointment. All the evidence shows they are not as good for either wildlife or public access as the original plans.”

He added: “Local communities have been waiting in vain for years to enjoy the long-promised nature reserve only to have their hopes dashed by the new owners. Sutton Council now needs to stand firm and demand a much more ambitious approach that benefits wildlife, provides better public access, and connects the whole area of open land between Mitcham Common and Beddington Park on both sides of the railway.”

A key bone of contention that campaigners have is Valencia Waste

Management’s decision to abandon plans to create an acid grassland site. Acid grassland provides a rich breeding ground for at-risk species, including bees and Skylarks.

Despite this type of grassland initially being promised, Valencia has since reneged on the pledge citing cost and environmental concerns. Valencia has now opted to implement wet grassland on site, which the WVF believes will reduce the biodiversity benefits. However, the WVF believes the money Valencia have saved from opting against acid grassland has not been

which were all targets for protection in the proposals.

Local bird expert Peter Alfrey told the LDRS how this development is emblematic of several changes that have taken place during recent years. Mr Alfrey, who has followed and campaigned on the project since its inception in 1996, told the LDRS earlier this year: “Our primary concern is that we have seen this process so many times in the past.”

He added: “We went through all this five years ago. All of the habitats are supposed to be in place by December

the ideal route would be to use the remaining railway bridge that would link residents of Hackbridge to the site. However, they believe the alternate route provided is inconvenient and could place pedestrians and cyclists in danger of HGVs coming from the nearby incinerator site. The WVF has also accused Valencia of failing to restore the lost bridge over the railway that links to Hackbridge Primary School, however, Valencia has said this falls under Network Rail’s remit.

The WVF said: “We are profoundly disappointed by the lack of ambition for

effectively reinvested in new habitats and better visitor facilities.

In their list of objections, the WVF said: “We recognise the reasons for not progressing with the plans for acid grassland and heath. The alternative proposals are both less expensive to deliver and result in poorer biodiversity outcomes.

“It is essential therefore to not only enhance the plans to provide a net ecological gain over the original plans but also to mitigate the loss of acid grassland and heath.”

Biodiversity net gain was a particular focus for campaigners, who see the site’s development as an essential measure to safeguard endangered wildlife in the largely industrial area.

Yet according to campaigners, delays and mismanagement have already led to the disappearance of species like tree sparrow, redshank, and yellow wagtail,

31, 2023, but what’s happening here is that the can has been kicked down the road, and we are just starting again.”

While Valencia has been clear that the site would not be fully open for public access at last year’s end, campaigners are worried that they have lagged behind in creating the important wildlife habitats. According to WVF, enforcement measures have now begun to address Valencia’s failure to deliver this before the deadline.

Public access to the site was another key issue that has attracted much concern. While all agree that nature is the key consideration for the site, campaigners have stressed that access to the site is currently limited for nearby residents.

Specifically, Valencia’s proposals fail to provide the key Mile Road east/ west route in the current planning agreement. According to the WVF,

providing public access to and through the site. Public access agreed a decade ago has still not been provided and the plans envisage further long delays.”

The WVF also took issue with Valencia’s plans to close the site to the public at 2:30 pm, saying that this further limited public access to the farmlands. However, Valencia responded by saying ‘all parks have closing times,’ and emphasised that biodiversity was the key concern for them.

Campaigners also view the lack of detail regarding plans to eventually run the site by the London Wetland Centre as another example of Valencia’s lack of ambition for the site. While Valencia acknowledged they had worked closely with the conservation charity throughout the process, they insisted there was no obligation to hand over the site to them.

A number of local politicians have criticised what they see as Sutton Council’s inability to hold Valencia, and previous site owners Virirdor, to account for the lack of progress. Criticism has come from across the political divide, but Beddington’s independent councillors have been the most vocal throughout.

Beddington Councillor Nick Mattey told the LDRS: “Nothing has been done to make this into the country park promised by Viridor and Sutton Council. Instead the land is now the responsibility of Valencia.

“They too have done nothing to make this into an accessible country park. Sutton Council should have carried out enforcement but done nothing.”

When approached for comment, a spokesperson for Sutton Council said: “The Council remains committed to delivering Beddington Farmlands. It is a vital scheme that will bring new habitats to Sutton, as well as bringing many benefits to local residents.

“Valencia Waste Management is responsible for delivering the restoration scheme and we continue to monitor very closely any proposed changes to the scheme and timetable for its completion.”

A spokesperson for Valencia said: “We are committed to restoring the Beddington Farmlands into a network of habitats in line with the planning requirements. Once restored the Farmlands will transform a former landfill site into fantastic asset for wildlife, and the local community. The project is vast in scale, and complex requiring significant investment, and detailed management to establish the habitats. Significant progress is being made onsite with new bird hides and footpath network being installed towards the end of 2023.

“Following extensive consultation with stakeholders, Valencia has undertaken technical assessments to present proposals to vary the restoration plans to ensure they are deliverable, sustainable, and viable. The proposals are in line with the requirements, and the local planning authority has been kept updated throughout this period.”

Council made £11.8m last year in clean air fines

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter

a PaiR of Clean a ir neighbourhoods (C ans) in south Fulham collected around £11.8m last year in fines, the local authority has revealed.

Labour-run Hammersmith and Fulham Council has said however that it expects the CANs to generate only about £5.6m this year, as drivers are increasingly adapting to the schemes.

The project aims to reduce ‘ratrunning’ – and resultant pollution – on residential streets by out-ofborough drivers, through the use of cameras at key locations away from main roads.

Under the scheme, residents with cars registered in the borough, their guests, black cabs, carers, business visitors and others with exemptions can go through the scheme’s cameras covering the areas without receiving a penalty charge.

The first CAN was established on residential roads east of Wandsworth Bridge Road in July 2020 and made permanent in December 2021. It has been joined by a second zone west of the bridge and south of New Kings Road, which was launched on a trial basis in February 2023. The council’s cabinet voted to make the second CAN permanent at a meeting earlier this month.

The project has proved controversial among some in the borough, with one resident saying it has “divided

the local community, damaged local businesses, harmed people’s livelihoods and their lives, and it raises serious ethical concerns”.

Local Tory MP Greg Hands has said that the project “has had an awful impact on local businesses, and heaped extra congestion on to New Kings Road and Wandsworth Bridge Roads”.

But others, particularly those living inside the affected zones, have praised the CANs for bringing relief to residential roads after decades of being “plagued” with rat-running.

The council has now revealed that in 2023, the western CAN collected about £7.8m in fines, though it predicts this figure to reduce by two thirds – to around £2.6m – in 2024, as drivers become more used to the scheme.

The compliance rate of vehicles in the western part of the project was at around 88.93 per cent when it began in February 2023, with £1.3m paid out by drivers. By December however, compliance had risen to 97.57 per cent, with about £289k collected in fines.

The longer-established eastern CAN took in around £4m in fines last year, the council said. This was a reduction from the £6.2m it collected in 2022, and the authority expects the figure to drop again in 2024, to roughly £3m.

Concerns were raised in recent months over the safety of women at night in the zone, as many reported

that Uber and other ride-hailing app drivers were refusing to drop them at their front doors, in fear of being fined – despite being exempt from the scheme.

The problem was said to have arisen due to “data protection issues” which were preventing Uber from sharing the number plates of their drivers.

It was announced at the council’s cabinet meeting this month however that the issue has been resolved, as Uber has signed an agreement with the authority to enable a “technical

solution”. The authority has now reached the same agreement with Uber’s competitor, BOLT, and has been in talks with other ride-hailing apps for similar arrangements to be made.

A council spokesman said: “15,000 fewer cars a day are using the residential side streets of south Fulham as commuter cut-throughs, while 1.4 tonnes of deadly nitrogen oxide and two tonnes of climatedamaging carbon emissions have been removed from the air [daily].

“Since the recent clean air trial began, fines have tumbled by almost 80 per cent as predicted and pollution from congestion has become a thing of the past in residential streets, which are now quieter, cleaner and safer.

“Any surplus from the fines goes into our ambitious programme of hundreds more trees, new safe cycle routes, better flood drainage and green landscaping, and encouraging play streets and cafe culture – all to make Hammersmith and Fulham the best place to live, shop and work.”

School to be rebuilt to transform 'poor facilities'

By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter

a SOutH london school for kids who can’t attend mainstream education will be rebuilt to transform its ‘poor facilities’. the size of the Francis Barber Pupil referral unit, in tooting, has been described as so limited the food technology class must double as the kitchen and dining area.

The plans from the Department for Education (DfE) will see the existing building making up the school on Franciscan Road, excluding the sports hall, bulldozed and rebuilt. The new school will have a two-storey administration block and an up to three-storey teaching block.

Wandsworth Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the plans on March 19. Labour councillor

Rex Osborn said Francis Barber staff are passionate about helping pupils to reintegrate into mainstream education or get to a ‘place where they can have true aspirations for their future’, but that they achieve this ‘despite poor facilities’ at the school due to its current condition.

Councillor Osborn added: “What we’ve got there is a school which is below minimum teaching space for the requirements, where there is constant improvised usage – for example, the food technology room doubles as the kitchen and dining area, the admin staff operate out of portacabins on the site. Any attempt at an efficient energy regime is constantly and, I have to say, expensively undermined by the poor facilities at Francis Barber.”

It comes after the DfE selected Francis Barber for funding from its school rebuilding programme in 2021 to

modernise its facilities to better meet pupils’ needs. The school is for pupils aged 11 to 16 who experience difficulty accessing schooling or who can’t maintain a placement at a mainstream school. It will continue to accommodate 56 pupils and 29 staff under the plans.

Previous plans for the site were deferred by the planning committee in October after members raised concerns about the impact on neighbours. Changes since made to the plans include setting back the top storey of the teaching block to provide more distance from nearby homes and planting more

trees for extra screening. A statement submitted with the application said the existing building ‘is no longer suitable for the school, being dated, in a poor condition and at the end of its working life’.

Councillors agreed the revised application is an improvement on the previous plans at the meeting on March 19. Labour councillor Leonie Cooper said: “I think we did absolutely the right thing last time. I think the design is so much better and I feel able this time to say that I support it.”

Existing pupils will move to a

return to the permanent site once the revamp is complete.

Image one: Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit, Tooting. Credit: Google Maps

Image two: Visualisation of the rebuilt Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit, Tooting. Credit: Innes Associates/ Department for Education, provided in Wandsworth Council documents

what’s on

battling hate speech

Both in europe and in the uSa the politics of the last decade has been dictated by ever polarising division as nations have leaned towards populist leaders and ideas, writes Christopher Peacock

Our institutions of learning have always been where these ideas are discussed and dissected. Power of Sail, a play by Paul Grellong pivots its action around the invitation of a controversial speaker to attend Harvard and now gets its European debut. Benjamin Carver, a holocaust denier and white supremacist, has been invited to speak at Professor Charles Nichols’ annual symposium at Harvard. Nichols insists the invite is to put Carver on the stage where his ideas can be dismantled in front of everybody. Nichols readily comments that “the only way to combat hate speech is with more speech”.

Amy Katz, a Jewish Dean and Nichols’ favourite alumnus, Baxter Forrest, both try to dissuade him

and retract the invite. The leaking of Carver as a speaker snowballs and angry protests sweep across campus. Two favoured grad students and fellowship applicants, Lucas Poole and Maggie Rosen come to discuss with their professor the merits and rights of free speech and how best to deal with the impending visit.

In a face to face meeting between Carver and Nichol at a compound in Maine, with fellowship contender Poole in tow, another student protest ends tragically. What is then revealed in the final scenes are the motives that everybody has kept hidden. Grellong’s playing with the narrative structure and combative direct language are the tools for this examination of ethics and is the play’s strength. Julian Ovenden as Charles Nichols does feel a little young in the casting but does well with the characterisation of a man who feels like he is losing touch with the cutting edge of academia. Paul Farnsworth’s design has the set spinning and

Displacement through the eyes of the youth

h avinG WoR ked together from red Pitch’s inception, writer tyrell Williams and director daniel Bailey bring representation of young black boys to a west end stage, writes Bella Christy.

After two majorly successful runs at The Bush Theatre, Red Pitch transfers to @sohoplace, bringing with it an incredible cast. Kedar Williams-Stiring (Sex Education), Emeka Sesay (The Power), and Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) have a magnetic rapport; they breathe energy into this play about ambition, friendship, and the inevitability of change.

Red Pitch follows three lively 16-year-old boys from the same estate with big goals of becoming professional footballers. The boys exude infectious energy, their performance fresh and playful. Red Pitch is original, significant, and hilariously quick-witted. Francis (Omz) calls it “a ‘think again’ piece for the people who have made assumptions about young black boys from ends”.

turning from office to train platform and bar, with social media projections on the set in these scene changes it does add to the disquiet feeling.

What I found is that there was a lot of ground the play wants to cover in a short space of time and in the end, rather than giving time for us to see more from the characters, the show moved on. This then meant that the dramatic reveals did not pack as much of a punch as they had intended. Never wanting to achieve resolution, Power of Sail does certainly commit to the task of entertaining and wanting to make its audience think about the themes after the curtains close.

Menier Chocolate Factory, 55 Southwark Street, SE1 until 18th May.

Booking: www.menierchocolatefactory.com 0207 378 1713

The play deals with themes of gentrification and displacement through the eyes of the youth. How does so-called ‘regeneration’ affect young people? We watch the boys grapple with this is their own way, talking parents and politics.

The boys’ youthful banter is fastpaced and comical. The audience was onside (pun intended) and cracking up no more than 30 seconds in. It seems there are two main things they like to discuss: football... and girls. While you didn’t need any football knowledge to follow along, the less youthful generation may struggle to keep up with the slangbut hey, maybe a new word will be learnt.

In the round staging was an expert choice. It emulated a stadium with its tiered levels, reaching up to the gods. In fact, you can draw a lot of similarities between theatre and football. Both ‘performances’, chanting and singing often involved, commonly two halves.

Physical theatre moments act as transitions, breaking up the more true-to-life scenes. The actors’

physicalities combined with UK rap music and skilful lighting is immersive and provides an insight into the boys’ dreams and aspirations. I also have to mention the dance scene: the boys can move! So much energy and the audience lapped it up.

The play also includes a halfdecent fight scene - easier said than done - especially in the round. I often find I am underwhelmed by stage fights, or they are so bad that they’re funny. This one was done really well and nicely offset the humorous tone of the play.

Red Pitch is the best piece of theatre I have seen recently, I couldn’t recommend it more.

Soho Place, London, W1D 3BG until 4th May.

Tickets from £25.

Booking: www.sohoplace.org

0330 333 5963

Photo by Manuel Harlan

Photo by Madeleine Penfold

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it made, an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2.Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in:

(a) Benhill Road, between No’s 37 and no’s 41

(b) Benhill Road, junction with Benhill Road to 15m west into Owgan Close

(c) St Aidans Road, between Marcus Garvey Mews and No’s 82

(d) Bellenden Road, between Holly Grove and Blenheim Grove

(e) Glasshill Street, between Pocock Street and Webber Road

(f) Maltby Street, between Tanner Street and Millstream Road

(g) Newcomen Street, between Bowling Green Place and Tennis Street (h) Scoresby Street, between Blackfriars Road and Gambia Street

(i) Union Street, between No’s 47 and No’s 49 to it’s junction with Redcross Way (j) Great Suffolk Street, between Dolben Street and Union Street (k) Ewer Street, between Union Street and bridge (l) Green Hundred Road, between Ethnard Road and Windspoint Road ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side)

3.The alternative routes for affected traffic as indicated by the signs displayed

4.Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

5.The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

6.The works will be in operation for (2a) 15th – 17th April (2b) 18th – 20th April (2c) 15th – 19th April (2d) 15th April (2e) 11th – 12th April (2f) 17th – 18th April (2g) 11th, 18th April (2h) 18th – 19th April (2i) 12th – 19th April (2j) 15th – 16th April (2k) 16th – 17th April (2l) 8th – 19th April

7.Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 4th April 2024

Ian Law Traffic Manager

London Borough of Southwark Network Management

Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth

160 Tooley Street

PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX

Ref: (2a) 23357599-conway (2b) 65691257-conway (2c) 000032081176-001 (2d) 32089694-S81 (2e) LBSCR13417 (2f) LBSCR13422 (2g) LBSCR13411/-1 (2h) LBSCR13425 (2i) 90240001 (2j) grt/suff/bri(2k) ewer/bri (2l) 30761-WAL-WK15

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)

(REDCROSS WAY, SUGAR LANE, STEEDMAN STREET)

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ONE WAY SYSTEM, AND TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark, hereby gives notice that to enable works to take place by Erith, Thames Water, and Centurion it intends, to make an order, the effect of which, will be to temporarily suspend the existing southbound one way traffic flow system in part of Redcross Way and to close Sugar Lane and Steedman Street

2.Whilst the restriction is in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed:

(a) The existing southbound ‘one-way’ traffic flow system in Redcross Way, located between Park Street and Southwark Street, will be suspended to allow for a temporary ‘two-way’ traffic flow system.

(b) Prohibit traffic in Sugar Lane, located between George Row and East Lane (c) Steedman Street, between Walworth Road and Hampton Street

3.Alternative routes for affected traffic (a) Construction vehicles will access Park Street, via Redcross Way (b) East Lane, George Row (c) as indicated by the signs displayed

4.Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said work and for any vehicle being used in connection with police, fire or ambulance purposes and anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

5.The restriction will come into force foe (2a) between the 19th April – 11th August and will be operational Monday – Friday, between 08:00hrs - 18:00hrs and Saturday 09:00hrs –14:00hrs. (2b) 19th April – 30th May (2c) 17th April at 22:00hrs – 18th April 06:00hrs

6. Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 4th

(2b) BER1-SULA80-01 thames (2c) LBSCR13426.2.2centurion/bridge

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

Please take notice that I / we Walworth Arms Ltd

Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of The Tankard, 176-178 Walworth Road, LONDON, SE17 1JL

The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH

A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp

It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Date of application: 25th April 2024

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended)

The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/ You can use facilities at your local library or 'My Southwark Service Points' to access the website.

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Chief executive's department, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX.

Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building;

51 GROVE LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8SP (Ref: 24/AP/0607)

Listed building consent for the proposed works include creating a garden access opening at basement level on the rear facade, installing new windows and replacing the existing roof on the rear extension, altering the entrance at the basement level (front of the house), and undertaking minor internal alterations. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000)

MAWDLEY HOUSE WEBBER ROW ESTATE

WEBBER ROW LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1

8XQ (Ref: 24/AP/0791)

Listed Building Consent for the installation of a fibre optic network. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000)

DELARCH HOUSE WEBBER ROW ESTATE

WEBBER ROW LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1

8QU (Ref: 24/AP/0792)

Listed Building Consent for the installation of a fibre optic network. Reason(s) for publicity:

STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000)

OVERY HOUSE WEBBER ROW ESTATE

WEBBER ROW LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1

8QX (Ref: 24/AP/0790)

Listed Building Consent for the installation of a fibre optic network. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000)

LAKANAL SCEAUX GARDENS LONDON

SOUTHWARK (Ref: 24/AP/0830)

Construction of boiler flue routed up the (southern) side elevation of Lakanal House to

enable high level discharge from boiler room. (Within: Sceaux Gardens CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Sean Gomes 020 7525 0666)

25 WESTMORELAND ROAD LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE17 2AX (Ref: 24/AP/0839)

New shopfront (previously open as shutter only) (Within: Walworth Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5447)

2 PONTYPOOL PLACE LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE1 8QF (Ref: 24/AP/0743)

Installation of air conditioning system for the existing commercial space at 2 Pontypool Place, which consists of indoor and outdoor units. The change to exterior of 2 Pontypool Place consists of making three 70 mm diameter penetrations through existing wall in order to route the required AC ducting to the external AC unit. Indoor units will be placed internally within the ground floor office of 2 Pontypool Place, while the outdoor unit is placed on the terrace roof of 12 Valentine Place, belonging to Weston Williamson and Partners. (Within: Valentine Place CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Alex Lambert 020 7525 1353)

53 BURBAGE ROAD LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE24 9HB (Ref: 24/AP/0833)

Rear dormer loft conversion featuring a rear facing window and finished in zinc cladding. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Megan Stevens )

46 DATE STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 2HQ (Ref: 24/AP/0832)

Notice of application to vary a premises licence

Notice is given that: OLIVER MAN has applied to: SOUTHWARK COUNCIL to vary a premises licence at: THESE DAYS APERITIVO BAR, 100 DRUID ST, SE1 2HQ.

The following variations have been proposed:

- To extend the ON PREMISE sale of alcohol from 23:00 to 00:00 Mondays - Sundays

The licensing register listing details of the variation is held at : https://www.southwark.gov.uk/business/licences/licence-applications-list

To make a representation -

Address - Regulatory Services, 3rd Floor Hub 1, PO Box 64529, London, SE1P 5LX

Email - licensing@southwark.gov.uk

Any representations against this application must be made in writing and received by the Licensing Service at the above address, by no later than the 25/04/24.

Residents and businesses in the vicinity of the premises, or their representatives, may make representations on licensing objectives grounds only, i.e. the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm. Copies of all representations will be sent to the applicant. It is an offence, liable on conviction to a fine up to £5000 for an applicant to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with the application.

Date of application: 28th March 2024

Construction of a single Storey rear extension (Within: Liverpool Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Susherrie Suki )

16 CHADWICK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4RA (Ref: 24/AP/0845)

Removal of disused chimney stack to front of main roof (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876)

18 MANOR GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 1SX (Ref: 23/AP/3550)

Change of use from general industrial use (Use Class B2) to commercial kitchen (Use Class E(b)). Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ (Contact: Ali Weatherup 02075255471)

16 CHADWICK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4RA (Ref: 24/AP/0843)

Installation of new and replacement windows/doors to rear and side elevation, infill of kitchen door and installation of new velux rooflight to outrigger roof. (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Agneta Kabele 07548097486)

188 CAMBERWELL GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8RJ (Ref: 24/AP/0567)

Listed Building Consent for the replacement of the windows and doors on the property with timber slim lite double glazed replacements. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000)

Dated: 02 Apr 2024comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

STEPHEN

PLATTS - Director of Planning and

Growth

PN page - 1 will be SLIP

SNEWS

By John Kelly

QueenS Park Rangers supporters sung Marti Cifuentes’ name as their side closed in on a great escape - but the R’s boss was keen to share the adulation with his staff and players after their 1-0 win at swansea City on Monday moved them six points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Steve Cook scored the only goal as QPR made it six points from six over Easter.

QPR were 23rd when Cifuentes took over from the sacked Gareth Ainsworth last October after the side had lost six games in a row and were six points adrift of safety.

But after a rocky run over December and early January when they didn’t win in seven Championship games, losing five, they have only been defeated in two of their last thirteen, winning seven of them.

There were more than 1,300 R’s fans in South Wales cheering on their side.

“The fans are playing their part,” Cifuentes said. “I am happy when they sing my name but when they do I understand it is for all the staff and all the hard work they put in, as well as the players.

“Football belongs to the players and I don’t have any intention to change that.”

Cifuentes added: “I know that we need more points. When I see the table I see that we need to collect more points.

"I am proud and happy, of course. I am proud for the effort, for the work the guys put into it, because it's not an easy game.

"We started in a good way, getting some chances, but I think slowly Swansea started showing why they are a good team. Since January they have been getting better and better.

"They have good quality players and a style of play that is difficult to play against. We adjusted some details at half-time. We had the capacity to score in a key moment.

"What I know when I see the table is that we need more points. We are in a good moment, of course, the team is improving, but we need to be aware that there are six games left and we need more points."

Cook scored for the second game in a row after being set up by Jimmy Dunne, who had scored the winner against Birmingham City on Good Friday.

Cifuentes said: “I am very happy for him but I don’t care who scores the goals!

r ’s close in on g reat e scape

Two

wins over Easter tastes sweet for QPR boss

“For me, the most important thing is the progress. When I arrived set-pieces were a big issue. Unfortunately, the team was conceding a lot and it is something the team has struggled with for a few seasons.

“This shows the progress the team is making and we need to keep on because it is not over.”

“So far, there has been an improvement, not only when we defend set-pieces but also when we attack as well, we are starting to create more chances.

Morgan Fox made his first league start since last September, replacing Kenneth Paal at left-back.

“I am so happy for all the players, especially for Foxy,” Cifuentes said.

Johnnie rallies Dons after defeat

By John Kelly

a FC W iMBledon boss Johnnie Jackson rallied his troops after their 1-0 defeat to stockport County at edgeley Park on easter Monday by insisting they are capable of winning their last four games of the regular league two season.

The Dons are three points outside the play-off places having played more games than their rivals above them after Odin Bailey scored with five minutes left to help the leaders extend their advantage at the top to four points.

Jackson’s side had the chance to take the lead on 34 minutes after Omar Bugiel had been fouled by Fraser

James Ball had the ball in the net

a foul.

“It’s tough to take after getting so far into the game and to have the lads give absolutely everything for each other and for the shirt,” Jackson said. “We had some really good moments, our game plan worked, as we came here to frustrate them and limit the spaces. We shut them down for the best part of 95 minutes and then we switched off in that one moment.

“We didn’t have enough chances to go and win the game, but a free hit from twelve yards is as good a chance as any that you’re going to get to score. Josh Neufville’s is also a really

good chance that on another day he takes. You’re never going to come here and have ten to twelve chances.

“If you come here and you get things wrong you can concede a hat-load. We limited them to very little. The good defensive structure we had allowed us to counter-attack and have moments.

If you want to win it you have to take those chances.”

Jackson added: “There’s four games to go and they’re all games that I feel like we’re capable of winning. If we do that I think it puts us close. We feel gutted at the moment but we’ll pick the boys up and look to show the spirit we showed today as it could take us a long way.”

Wimbledon play Salford City at Plough Lane on Saturday at 3pm.

“He is a player who has not been playing so much but he has been supporting the team, he has been so happy when we have positive results, and he plays 90 minutes today and delivers the performance that he delivers.

“The way Swansea play with their crosses into the box, to have four centrehalves in the back four we felt could help us, and I am very happy for him.”

QPR host 23rd-place Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

“It is true Ken felt not the best [Sunday] night but we wanted to play Foxy because we felt this was the game for him.

Ravens drop points

By John Kelly

BRoMley dRoPPed two points in their 1-1 draw against Woking at hayes lane on Monday but hold a four-point advantage in the second national league play-off semi-final spot with four games to go.

Kido Taylor-Hart's goal two minutes into added-time earned a point for Andy Woodman’s side.

Ricky Korboa had given relegationthreatened Woking the lead a minute before half-time.

The Ravens trail second-place Barnet by four points. They are four points ahead of Altrincham and Solihull Moors, both of whom have played a game more.

are a point further back

but would close to within two points of Bromley if they win their game in hand. Bromley host Solihull in the semi-final of the FA Trophy this Saturday at 3pm before a huge league game at barnet the following Tuesday.

Horsfall, but James Tilley fired wide from the penalty spot.

for the Dons but referee Lewis Smith had whistled for

Marti Cifuentes

Lions floored on April Fool’s Day by basement boys Rotherham n o l aughing m atter

By Kiro Evans

MillWall CR ashed to a poor defeat at bottom side Rotherham united to leave themselves once again looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

After 70 goalless minutes, Rotherham pounced twice in the closing stages through Sebastian Revan and substitute Charlie Wyke to grab their first win since Boxing Day.

Ryan Longman came off the bench to net an equaliser just a few minutes after Millwall fell behind but the Millers breached the Lions late on again.

In truth both of Millwall’s conceded goals were avoidable and they also spurned many opportunities with Rotherham keeper Viktor Johansson repeatedly denying them.

But travelling fans would have still expected far better against a side had not scored in any of their previous five games and had lost ten of their last eleven matches in the Championship.

The win means Rotherham have managed to avoid being officially relegated for at least a few more days.

Far more pressingly for Neil Harris is the fact that Millwall have slipped three places in the table after some big results for the sides around them. They are now four points off third-bottom

Huddersfield Town and travel to the Terriers for what is now another crunch match in Yorkshire on Saturday.

Millwall improved as the game went on but started off slow, and lost one of their players early on to injury.

A collision between Murray Wallace and Sam Nombe after six minutes left both players prone and the game halted. The pair eventually got to their feet but it became clear not long after that the clash had left Wallace worse for wear. He would be subbed off after 22 minutes for Danny McNamara.

close with two attempts minutes apart on a corner.

SPORT 23

Rotherham would be the slightly better team until the half-hour mark, during which Jake Cooper had an appeal for a penalty turned down after he appeared to be pushed in the back when contesting a high ball.

After 32 minutes, Michael Obafemi won the ball back in the Rotherham box, played it to Casper De Norre who quickly tapped it to Zian Flemming on the edge of the box. The Dutchman’s curling effort was impressively turned around the post by the Rotherham keeper. Cooper then had a header go just wide as Millwall ended the half the stronger.

They would also be the better side at the beginning of the second half as they began to build intensity and momentum. Flemming looked lively and would come

A goal was coming as the sun slowly emerged at the New York Stadium after an hour and it seemed likely to be Millwall’s. They missed a golden chance when Japhet Tanganga had a free header from a corner saved by Johansson, but then Odoffin had a free header from a corner at the other end that he put over the bar a couple minutes later.

That moment would be encouragement enough for Rotherham who, having been second best for most of the second half, suddenly struck. Defender Revan had not scored before for the Millers but he cut inside confidently on the edge of the box and sunk a shot into the bottom corner.

Millwall, to their credit, responded well to the setback and should have equalised before they did with Johansson pulling off another big save to deny Obafemi. But then substitute Longman did score as he poked home from close-range after Cooper dragged a ball to the back post.

But the goal would be in vein when Rotherham went back ahead

It was all too simple from a defensive perspective with goalscorer Revan putting a simple cross in but Wyke got the better of Tanganga and flicked it home after 86 minutes.

The Lions huffed and puffed

Ryan Longman grabbed the equaliser but Millwall lost it late at the New York Stadium

throughout the six minutes added on but they ran out of time.

Millwall: 4-4-1-1: Sarkic; Leonard (Norton-Cuffy 74’), Tanganga, Cooper (c), Wallace (McNamara 24’); Honeyman (Mayor 74’), De Norre, Saville (Esse 87’), Watmore (Longman 74’) ; Flemming; Obafemi.

Rotherham: 3-5-2: Johansson; Odoffin, Humphreys, Revan; Seriki (Ferguson 63’), Rinomhota, Clucas (Lindsay 80’), Rathbone, Bramall (Peltier 90+1); Nombe (Wyke 79’), Eaves.

By Kiro Evans

DunC an watMOre has praised Millwall fans for giving the players a positive “vibe” inside the den.

The Lions have struggled at home for much of the season but have been picking up results under Neil Harris, beating Watford and Birmingham City before drawing 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion on Good Friday last week.

Millwall have won only six of their 20 games at The Den this season and have scored the second-fewest home goals after Stoke City. But the atmosphere in home games has improved in recent weeks.

Speaking after the draw with West Brom, Watmore told Millwall TV: “As the manager has spoken about all week, the vibe at The Den is really good at the moment. And we as players feel that. It’s enjoyable and we’re grateful for the support we’ve been getting.

“It makes a huge difference. As footballers we try to do our job the best we can no matter what’s going on outside but it makes a huge difference when you feel that energy and positivity from the fans.”

Watmore opened the scoring against the Baggies in the first half but he and Michael Obafemi would miss huge chances to make it 2-0. Millwall were made to pay when West Brom won a penalty that was tucked home by John Swift.

By John Kelly

C ha R lton athletiC manager nathan Jones was far from “ecstatic” despite a tenth game unbeaten - as he demanded more from his players after their 0-0 draw against stevenage at the valley on easter Monday.

The Addicks are on their jointlongest unbeaten league run in three years, a sequence that straddled the tenures of Lee Bowyer, Johnnie Jackson and Nigel Adkins.

Charlton are not yet safe from relegation but it would take an unusual set of results between now

and the end of the season for them to go down. They are sixteenth, eight points above the bottom four with five games left, though there are three teams below them with games in hand.

“It’s a point. I’m not ecstatic in any way,” Jones said. "But it’s another step in the right direction.

“There’s lot of positives: a clean sheet, another point, another game unbeaten. They gave me everything. They’re working, putting their head on the block if they have to.

“We were decent in terms of how we controlled the game, how we moved the ball. It’s just we needed

to be better. We need to show a bit more quality, a bit more bravery. But that will come.”

It was Charlton’s second clean sheet in eleven games under Jones, after none in their previous eighteen league matches.

“It’s no good being a really good footballing side but then needing three just to win a game. That’s not what I believe,” Jones said.

“We need to keep clean sheets, because if you keep clean sheets there’s goals in this team. We very rarely fail to score in a game.”

Charlton have won only once at home since November 28 and

they struggled to create much of note. Substitute Tyreeq Bakinson knocked Thierry Small's cross wide from ten yards out with 20 minutes left.

Jones said: “We kind of run out of ideas later on. I would have liked to make more positive changes, but we had to make enforced [substitutions]. And then, because of how they finish games, with basically putting everyone in the box, we brought [Lucas] Nessy on instead of putting on someone like TC [Tyreece Campbell] or Kazenga [LuaLua], which enabled us to keep that clean sheet.

“I would have loved to go on and win it, but I would have been devastated if they had nicked in late on from us going to sleep.”

After seven away games in his opening eleven in charge, Jones has the novelty of three back-to-back fixtures at The Valley, with play-off contenders Barnsley on Saturday followed by Wigan Athletic next Tuesday.

“We’ve got two home games coming up where we want to be right at it,” Jones said. “Two tough games, against two different sides, but an opportunity for us to pick up some more points.”

Duncan Watmore has scored three times this season

glasner: don’t be SHOT-SHY

By

Palace struggle in front of goal in Cherries defeat Forest fire levels Fulham

By John Kelly

MaRCo silva explained his unusual triple substitution just 33 minutes into Fulham’s 3-1 defeat to nottingham Forest at the City Ground on tuesday.

The Cottagers were 2-0 behind by that time, after goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood, before Morgan Gibbs-White added the hosts’ third in first-half stoppage-time.

Silva sent on Tom Cairney, Willian and Adam Traore for Sasa Lukic, Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi.

Tosin Adarabioyo pulled a goal back in the 49th minute.

oliveR GlasneR urged his side not to be so shot-shy after their 1-0 defeat to aFC Bournemouth at the vitality stadium on tuesday night.

Substitute Justin Kluivert fired past Dean Henderson for the only goal of the game eleven minutes from time to earn the hosts a fourth win in five games.

Despite sharing the possession, the Eagles only managed three attempts at goal, two on target, compared to eleven and six, respectively, for Andoni Iraola’s side.

Eberechi Eze did have the ball in the net in the first half but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Boehly still a believer

Palace are not out of relegation danger though have an eight-point buffer to the bottom three.

“If you don’t score a goal, you can’t win and then the maximum is a 0-0,” Glasner said. “One situation decided the game and it was not on our side.

“We maybe have to blame ourselves in that we didn’t have enough finishes. We had many good situations here –four against two in the first half, two against one – where we didn’t even have a finish.

“So you need to shoot, you need to have a finish to score a goal and this is maybe where we have to improve, to be more decisive in our offensive actions, in our situations that we have.

“But we have this every game, and

By John Kelly

todd Boehly thinks Chelsea have “unbelievable players” who just need time to “fold into a team” as the Blues owner said he understands supporter anger over how this season has gone.

Despite a transfer outlay of more than £1billion since his £3billion takeover of the club in 2022, Chelsea were in twelfth place in the Premier League before hosting Manchester United on Thursday.

Mauricio Pochettino did guide the club into the EFL Cup final, but they were

it’s not just one, it is four, five or six times we have it, but at the end we didn’t score and then one situation for Bournemouth decided the game.

“I would worry about it if we don’t have the situations to score, but we have them. I think we played really well in the second half, and we controlled the game.

“Their goal was the first shot in the second half for them, so we controlled the game but controlling [isn’t enough]. We have to create more power in the opposition box, more directness to the goal, not passing again and again.

“Especially in this weather, with the wind and the rain, the pitch was very quick and wet, so take the shots! This is what we have to talk about and what we

criticised after they lost to a youthful Liverpool side without several top stars.

Chelsea are also in the FA Cup semifinal, against Manchester City, but have been booed after their performances in the Premier League, most recently in their 2-2 draw against relegationthreatened Burnley at Stamford Bridge.

“We just need to let the process develop and give them the time to go from being unbelievable individual players with great skills to fold into a team,” Boehly said.

have to improve.”

Glasner hasn’t won in four games since defeating Burnley 3-0 in his first in charge. And it doesn’t get any easier as Palace host Manchester City in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Glasner said: “I will concentrate on our performance and on what we have to do. We know that on Saturday City come to Selhurst.

“It’s a game where we don’t have a lot of possession, but again I'm sure we will get situations. Maybe we don’t get eight, but we will get three or four, and then it’s important to be very efficient.

“This is important. If you are efficient you have the chance to win against Man City, but if you are not efficient like we were today you can lose everywhere.”

“The good news is people care so much. And the bad news is people care so much.

“That leads to times when they’re frustrated with the team and the owners.

I get that, but we just have to continue to stay the course.”

Boehly became interested in the Premier League in the 2010s and when he did real estate business in London.

He added: “The Premier League is broadcast into basically every country in the world. I think North Korea and Russia are the only ones that don’t broadcast it. It’s uniquely positioned on the clock in the US because on Saturday morning, there’s not a lot of competition.”

“I wanted to see a reaction. I want to be clear it was not the fault of the players who came off,” Silva said. “In that moment if I could have changed more, I would have. I do not want to highlight those three players, it was not their fault. At that moment I wanted to keep more of the ball and with Tom Cairney and Willian they are able to do that. I wanted to create some one-v-ones on the right-hand side and Adama is able to do that.

“We had a serious conversation at half-time. We wanted to show a completely different performance and we scored an early goal which was important for us.

“In terms of a reaction we also had one off the crossbar, one off the post. We had some other chances as well. They had one or two moments as well but scoring that second goal for us could have meant everything.

“The reaction was there in the second half but that doesn’t matter because the performance in the first half leaves us with nothing to be pleased with. Normally we are a team that creates chances. Even though we were not at our best level we kept creating chances.

“Football is not just about creating chances - we have to be solid.”

Fulham host Newcastle United on Saturday.

John Kelly

Jean-Philippe Mateta has one of only three attempts on goal