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NEARLY 500 CO-LIVING FLATS APPROVED IN ABBEY WOOD
By Cameron Blackshaw Local Democracy Reporter
PLANS TO build nearly 500 flats aimed at young professionals, a hotel and a new pet hospital in Abbey Wood have been approved
The site lies on the border of Greenwich and Bexley and is located just north of Abbey Wood station. It is on the corner of Eynsham Drive and the A2041 and is currently home to a car wash and Thamesmead PDSA Pet Hospital.
Abbey Wood Property Limited submitted the scheme in early 2024 and it consists of four buildings that range from a 17-storey tower block to a three-storey building. As part of the proposal both the car wash and the pet hospital will be demolished, but a larger, more modern facility for the pet hospital is being provided.
A PDSA spokesperson said: “We have been involved in discussions regarding the development around our Thamesmead PDSA Pet Hospital. Now plans have been approved, we are working through implications and options for our site and our team whilst the extensive building works are underway.
“We remain committed to providing PDSA services to the communities we serve, and the Thamesmead PDSA Pet Hospital will continue to open as normal while we confirm the longer-term plan.”
Instead of providing self-contained flats, the scheme will deliver 487 co-living rooms. The co-living rooms consist of a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, a small kitchenette and integrated storage space. The rooms will measure from 18 to 24 square metres.
Co-living, which developers have called a “high-quality solution for urban renters” is meant to encourage social interaction amongst residents through communal areas like large dining areas and kitchens, gyms, co-working spaces, and gardens.
These co-living units will be offered at flexible lease lengths from three to 12 months and will have all-inclusive contracts that covers bills and a gym membership. According to planning documents, these types of units are aimed at young professionals as an alternative to HMOs and smaller apartments.
Alongside the co-living residential units, the new scheme will deliver a 110-room hotel which is likely to be a Holiday Inn Express. This application was made on the back of another proposal at the site that was approved in 2018. This proposal, which was similar in visual terms to the final outcome, would have delivered 272 flats instead of the 487 co-living rooms.
RIGHT: What a typical co-living room in the new development will look like.
BELOW: What the large residential development in Abbey Wood will look like once constructed.
Credit: Assael Architecture
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'GIRLS CAN BE JUST AS GOOD AS BOYS': SOUTHWARK JAGUARS ARE WITNESSING SOARING MEMBERSHIP
EXCLUSIVE
By Evie Flynn
FROM 15 to over 115 players in only two years, the Burgess-Park based Southwark Jaguars football team is giving girls the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Lionesses, with the club seeing a "massive surge" in popularity.
Southwark Jaguars, a grassroots football organisation, have just finished their second season and membership and commitment to the sport has soared, with eight teams training at Burgess Park twice per week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
The team, chaired by Wilson Frimpong, was born out of The PE & School Sports Network, a Southwarkbased initiative designed to give children access to sports in primary and secondary schools across the borough.
Many of the girls face financial or social barriers to traditional sports club. Wilson describes Southwark Jaguars as providing a space "to grow confidence, play away from the boys and to show that the girls are not invisible, they are free to make mistakes and learn new things without being judged."
Of the 115 players, 70 percent come from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Wilson said: "Demographically, a high percentage of the girls are black and brown girls, unlike a lot of the players in the league we are in. When the girls come along and see other people who look like them, it empowers them to want to do it more."
Alongside training, they also run a free Monday evening girls' football programme in Burgess Park for all abilities. "We wanted something where girls felt free to come along, regardless of if they want to play for a team or
not," Wilson told us. "It started four years ago, and there were only 14 girls on the register." Today, they have between 120 and 150 girls attending the Monday session.
Millie, 12, said she started going to football after trying other sports, like gymnastics. She said: "I saw my brothers playing and realised that girls can be just as good as boys," she said. "I think I'm better than my brother now, I'm not even joking!"
After the initial Lioness victory in 2022 and their recent triumph on
27 July, Wilson said the team saw a "massive surge" in popularity. Many of the Jaguars now dream of a professional career and Amira, 10, said: "Watching the Lionesses, I feel like there's a real future there for me."
"I've started to get my head down as when I'm older I really want to be a footballer," said Inayah, aged 10. "Girls can sometimes be stronger than boys and should be able to play football too."
The team is coached by Joe Howard, who also runs the PE & School Sports Network's girls programme, meaning
he often works with the girls directly at their school during PE lessons. "I'd struggle to find a Southwark school one of the girls doesn't go to," he tells us.
Registration for the season is £200, with the option to pay over three instalments. The fee includes all Sunday training sessions, kit and match subs. Wilson explained that some clubs in south London charge over £600 for fees, not taking into account kit cost.
But, there is another reason for keeping the costs low: "If you have a boy and a girl, you might be more inclined to pay money towards the boy playing football and see it leading somewhere in the future," Wilson explained. "If it's your daughter and she's not played it before, you are maybe more reluctant to pay."
Phoebe, 10, began playing with boys at the team her dad coached, explaining that "he took me to training one day and I fell in love with the sport." However, before this, she always saw football as her dad and brother's 'thing', thinking there was "only men's football and no ladies."
Due to her ability, she is now part of Brighton and Hove Albion's Emerging Talent Centre, after the Jaguars played at the Albion and five girls were selected for programme.
"Southwark Jaguars is a big and important part of my life," said Chelsea, 13. "My brother plays football but he's a lot older than me, so it's sometimes hard to keep up with him.
"I now have girls in my age group who are at my level. Here I get proper training, advice and feedback from the coaches."
If you are on a team, you have the opportunity to play football with the Jaguars three times a week, on Monday, Thursday and a match on Sunday. Unlike some Sunday-league clubs, there are no trials to get onto a team, with Wilson explaining that they
"want to be the space for girls to play, regardless of how good they are."
Ava, 12, said one of her favourite things about the club had been getting to know everyone outside of her year group at school. "Men's matches are often more aggressive with more injuries - us girls are more patient, we want to get to know everyone."
This camaraderie has also extended beyond the pitch, which Wilson describes as "a massive sense of community growing". Parents have planned meet ups and a number of the girls went to the Lioness parade at Buckingham Palace together with their families.
"Every Monday and Thursday I'm so excited to come to training because Joe is one of the best coaches you can get," Millie tells us. "He's kind, caring and we all know you can't get a better coach than Joe."
"I think football is just my sport now, I love it, it makes me happy."
The girls were asked who their idols are, with Millie immediately saying Chloe Kelly. "She's my inspiration because she plays in the same position as me. I really look up to her," she explained. "I think I do have a chance with women's football when I'm older... girls should push and get a chance to play for a professional club like boys."
The next step for Southwark Jaguars is finding more female coaches to work with the girls. Currently 50% of their coaches are female, but they hope to increase this to 70% by the end of next season. Wilson also has big plans for the Jaguars' future.
He said: "We don't see the Jaguars as a short-term thing, we want to leave a long-lasting legacy across the borough."
They are looking for local business sponsorship for the under 13 teamplease email Joe if you are interested: joe@lpessn.org.uk
The players on a free week-long training week during the summer holidays
Chelsea, 13 (left) and Phoebe, 10 (right)
Inayah, 10 (left) and Amira, 10 (right)
Wilson Frimpong, Chair of Southwark Jaguars
Millie, 12
WILL SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
Residents of Arica House on the 1960s Slippers Place Estate, Bermondsey, and Chilton Grove Estate, Rotherhithe, say they experienced "nearly identical" problems
EXCLUSIVE
By Issy Clarke
SOUTHWARK COUNCIL is facing calls to launch more investigations into costly housing maintenance projects in the wake of a damning report investigating works on three estates which ran £6 million over budget.
The council promised to conduct audits back in November 2023 after it emerged that major works on the Canada, Devon Mansions and Kirby Estates between 2020 and 2023 had run a combined £6 million over budget and three years over schedule.
Southwark's newly appointed Cabinet member for Council Homes, Cllr Michael Situ, told this newspaper that the council would be carrying out additional reviews of recent Major Works programmes, including Arica House, Bermondsey, in response to the recent report's findings - but did not state how many estates would be included.
Major works - also known as housing maintenance programmes - are large pieces of work, usually done to exterior and communal parts of buildings. This could include roofs, windows, external structures, communal energy supply and door entry systems. Southwark Council manages an extensive housing portfolio, much of which dates from the '50s and '60s and which requires regular updating and refurbishment.
Leaseholders are often billed before building works are finished based on an estimate of the cost reached by the council - but the final amounts often end up significantly exceeding initial projections, sometimes by as much as double.
The independent report found that poor contractual management and patchy pre-building feasibility surveys by contractors allowed the costs of the
INVESTIGATE EVERY ESTATE WHERE MAJOR WORKS WENT OVER BUDGET?
works to spiral. In some places, the authors of the report said it could not be established that repairs had been carried out at all, despite some leaseholders being billed of tens of thousands of pounds for the works.
The report was critical of the council's tendering process, which it said prioritised contractors who offered the lowest cost rather than value for money.
During the meeting called to discuss the report on 28 July, Southwark Council's strategic director of housing apologised to residents and said 'lessons would be learned' to ensure the mistakes found were not repeated.
A spokesperson for Southwark Council said the local authority would "take action to address the issues raised and [had] already made major changes, including to how we manage contracts.
We know more needs to be done and are taking further action.”
In the wake of the report's recommendations residents of Arica House on the 1960s Slippers Place Estate in Bermondsey and the Chilton Grove Estate in Rotherhithe, who say they experienced "nearly identical" problems with major works to the three estates examined in the report, are calling on the council to commission further audits to establish what went wrong.
Arica House leaseholder John Dickson said he had already paid £17.5k towards the works after receiving a bill based on the initial estimate of the project back in April 2020.
He is now waiting with bated breath for the invoice to arrive containing the final cost of the repairs – which he fears could be double what he has already paid.
“We still don’t have the final bill, the new estimate that has been banded about is £34,000. It could be even morewe still don’t know, we’re in limbo. It is a terrible burden," he said.
“I don’t have £17,000 in the bank to cover the additional cost they could
ask for. I’m working, so I’m lucky, I can probably make it work. But that’s me screwed for another four years; no holidays, no luxuries."
After estimating it would cost £1,438,771, council spending on major works at Arica House skyrocketed to £2,822,387, while the whole project dragged on until November 2021, two years on from the scheduled completion date.
Meanwhile, residents complained some of the work carried out was unnecessary and of sketchy quality, including perfectly good tiles ripped up and replaced with hard-to-clean alternatives, and 'shoddily' repainted walls in communal spaces.
Cllr Michael Situ said: “We are carrying out a review of recent major works including Arica House as part of our new contract monitoring process put in place and in response to recent review from Southwark's Housing Scrutiny committee.”
Approved in 2017, the project on the Chilton Grove Estate in Rotherhithe, as well as providing new homes, was meant to include roof repairs, landscaping, replacement windows, and a new door entry system.
In 2020 the council embarked on building 44 new rooftop homes and refurbishing the existing blocks on the estate. However work shuddered to a halt after the council scrapped all rooftop home builds in 2022 due to rising construction costs.
Some leaseholders were billed more than £30,000 - even though residents claim contractors only installed the windows, leaving concrete paved over the communal garden and the estate strewn with construction materials.
"The garden looks like a concrete wasteland. It is an eyesore for residents but there are also a lot of young people living in that building," said one local resident with family living on the estate.
"If they wanted to have families, where would the children go to play?
"Recreational space was part of the selling point for this building before, so it is a shame not to have it there.
"When I looked through the council's report I felt the similarities were quite evident," she said.
"It doesn’t make sense to do a scrutiny looking at one estate only. It makes more sense for it to be a broader spectrum investigation, because there are going to be common threads that come out throughout - and residents need some accountability taken.
"They have paid money towards a building that was never finished and obviously want to see what that was spent on and what is going to happen now."
Southwark's opposition Liberal Democrats warned the failings uncovered by the report represented the 'tip of the iceberg' and have called on the council to widen its investigation to other estates, including Arica House and
Chilton Grove.
“We said this was the tip of the iceberg, and we know of at least two estatesArica House and Chilton Grove – that deserve their own investigations," said Southwark Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain.
"We need the council to roll its sleeves up and revisit every other project that’s been delayed or overspent, and ensure that things are put right for tenants and leaseholders.
"Chilton Grove is still a building site, six years after works first started.
"We’re calling for all aspects of estate management on the Chilton Grove Estate – the abandoned infill project, shoddy repairs, and major works, to be looked at from top to bottom so that residents can get answers.”
Cllr Michael Situ said: "The previous contractual agreement between the council and the contractor has been completed. There are still some outstanding works at Chilton Grove and the council is proceeding with the
Arica house leaseholder John Dickson
procurement of these works. We expect to be back on site early next year and residents are being consulted."
In more promising news for leaseholders, earlier this year residents of the Consort Estate claimed victory after the council managed to secure a £4 million reduction in the cost of major works to their homes.
In an email shared with residents, the council revealed it had secured a lowering in the project costs from £17,238,251 to £14,081,189.
Leaseholders were shocked last year to receive bills demanding up to £50,000 towards a £17.3 million refurbishment project carried out by contractor Elkins - with charges including £28,000 for ten mobile phones used by contractors and £50 for each ‘Fire door keep closed’ sign.
Leaseholders were charged a total of £1.5 million – 8.75 per cent of the project costs – with the council picking up the majority of the cost burden.
After a meeting called in November 2024, in which the cost of the major works was exposed by residents, councillors admitted something had gone "seriously wrong" and promised to revise the provisional costs.
In a March cabinet report, Councillor Sarah King - who at the time was serving as the Cabinet Member for Council Housing and has since become the leader of Southwark Council - said the work of Consort Estate residents to expose the costs of the project would prompt the council to scrutinise contractor bills more carefully going forward.
"All future contracts will undertake a full survey initially to help reduce provisional costs, including greater levels of information about provisional
costs and far greater levels of engagement with residents at this early stage of contract design," she said.
The council said that in response to the report's recommendations it had hired a dedicated quantity surveyor to scrutinise "all estimates and conduct sample audit checks on valuations submitted by contractors on future projects, including carrying out site visits to check quantities and works claimed by the contractor and approved by the Consultant."
“As part of our major works audit on Consort Estate, the council met with leaseholder representatives and a ward councillor in addition to visiting the site and reviewed the costs, finding room for savings," said Situ.
"These savings were a result of numerous factors including the original specification being prepared during the pandemic which prevented detailed surveys being undertaken at the time. The contractor also agreed to reduce some charges and not apply an inflation uplift."
Calsforseaden, the contract administrator on Devon Mansions, was the lead design and cost management quantity surveyor employed by Southwark Council on Arica House. Equans, the contractor for Devon Mansions, took on responsibility for the Chilton Grove project halfway through the works.
Saltash was employed to undertake phase 2 works on Arica House, which included brickwork, repairs and window replacements from February 2019. Saltash, Calsforseaden and Equans did not respond to our requests for comment.
Chilton Grove before builders moved in
Chilton Grove after builders moved in
MYTIME ACTIVE UNVEILS REVOLUTIONARY NEW SMART TRAINING KIT
Mytime Active has invested in brand new smart strength training equipment for its Pavilion Leisure Centre and The Spa at Beckenham gyms. EGYM’s equipment personalises every workout for every user. After a quick initial set up, users simply scan at the machines to log in and each subsequent workout is adapted to suit their body and strength levels.
The new EGYM kit also generates a BioAge, giving each user an indication of how ‘old’ their body is compared to their real age – based on their fitness and health. EGYM then helps users work towards lowering their BioAge, retesting them every six sessions to see how they’re progressing and adapting workouts accordingly.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, there’s no excuse to skip strength training. Building muscle supports your body, boosts energy and helps everyone stay strong,
mobile and independent,” says Steve May, Chief Executive at Mytime Active. “Our new EGYM kit is like having a personal trainer built into the machine; it sets up everything automatically – just log
out more here
in and the machine adjusts to you. A clever gamified screen helps to guide each movement, so you see real strength improvements without having to think about what to do next.”
SAVE WITH MYTIME THIS AUTUMN Mytime Active will be offering free EGYM and health assessments to all its members, as part of their membership. Plus, during September and October, new members will get 50% of their first month. Click here to find out more: www.mytimeactive. co.uk/50-off
To celebrate National Fitness Day and introduce the new EGYM kit to the local community, Mytime Active will also be running a free EGYM Gameday on 24 September. Anyone can visit the Pavilion Leisure Centre and try the new kit plus get EGYM and health assessments for FREE.
By Ruby Gregory
Local Democracy Reporter
HUNDREDS OF residents and business owners have been joined by celebrities including Jude Law in objecting to plans to redevelop Blackheath Station’s car park for housing as they argue the proposals are too large and out of character for the area.
Developer, Acorn has submitted plans to build 45 new homes on the Blackheath Station car park site which would consist of 20 terraced homes and 25 flats as part of two blocks that would be five storeys and four storeys tall.
Under the plans the car park, which consists of 162 spaces, would be reduced to just 17 while the development itself would deliver 21.3per cent ‘affordable’ housing by habitable room.
Acorn told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that its proposals are an opportunity to unlock the site’s “development potential”.
Acorn said in a statement: “Through sensitive heritage-led design and a highly sustainable redevelopment approach, the proposals are wholly in line with national, London and local planning policies that promote increased housing supply in response to the urgent need for new homes.”
However the proposals have been met with strong opposition from locals, who fear the plans will harm the Blackheath Conservation Area, which was the first one to be formed in London in 1968.
Campaigners also said the scale and design of the buildings “show no regard” for the surrounding area and would overshadow the existing terraces on Collins Street.
Olly Payne, a lifelong Blackheath resident, said: “No one is against housing and no one is against some type of development, we understand that there’s open space and people try to build on open spaces so all of that has been understood but what we’re really objecting to is this particular application.
“Blackheath is one of London’s oldest conservation areas and this is just completely out of keeping with anything else within the vicinity. It’s enormous, you’ve got this big five storey block so there’s a problem with the massing and scale of the development.”
He added: “This is just going to have a huge impact on the area, it’s going to set a terrible precedent in terms of future development and you think people are being precious about the area, but it’s a conservation area and if you’re developing in conservation areas, you’re meant to respect them. There’s a reason why we have them.
“Conservation areas are important, otherwise everything becomes a highrise, you lose the character. Blackheath is known for being a characterful area that people love and you can see that by the reaction that we’ve had to this development.”
The reduction in car parking spaces could have an impact on the footfall which it brings to local businesses within Blackheath Village, while campaigners said there is uncertainty around the future of the Blackheath Farmers’ Market, which operates in the car park every Sunday.
Mark Handley, the Director at London Farmers Market said in a statement that the proposals offer the market a “much improved and viable new home” with additional facilities in a purpose-built market location however Olly said there’s a “huge number of people” who don’t agree with the market proposals being viable.
According to Lewisham Council’s online
LOCALS AND STARS UNITE
Residents and celebrities against Blackheath Station car park redevelopment plans
“This plan does not answer housing needs. Instead this plan will enforce a strain on a wonderful old village that deserves our protection
planning portal, the proposals have received 653 comments from members of the public, while 633 objections have been recorded with just 14 in support.
Several celebrities and high-profile public figures with personal links to the area have signed an open letter against Acorn’s plans, including Hollywood actors, Jude Law and Dominic Cooper and Dame Joan Ruddock, who served as Lewisham Deptford’s Labour MP for 28 years
Jude Law said in a statement: “I grew up in Blackheath. My junior school was across from the site where this proposed development will take place.
“This plan does not answer housing needs. Instead this plan will enforce a strain on a wonderful old village that deserves our protection.”
Chris Difford from the band, Squeeze, which was formed locally, said: “This is heartbreaking – Blackheath has a skyline that is already suffocated by the horizon of Canary Wharf and the buildings in
neighbouring Lewisham. We must respect the beauty and freedom that the sky provides around Blackheath Village and say no to this new development.”
During a public meeting which took place last month (July 3), local businesses hit out at Acorn for not consulting with them about the plans.
Olly, who was at the meeting, said:
“Eventually Acorn said they put some flyers through doors and we had a little pop-up stall through the market.
“That was kind of their definition of a meaningful consultation with
businesses. So the businesses are very much against this too.”
In response, Acorn said: “The preapplication process was accompanied and informed by engagement [via inperson events, as well as online] with local residents, businesses and stakeholders including the Blackheath Society – and the team continue to welcome comments and enquiries from interested residents and businesses throughout the planning process.
“The proposed development will deliver 45 high-quality sustainable homes,
including much needed, entirely socialrented, family sized affordable housing, re-provision and enhancement of the farmers market and a substantial number of public benefits prioritising a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable development that supports both residents and the natural environment.”
A spokesperson for the Blackheath Society told the LDRS: “We in the Blackheath Society are not opposed in principle to development on the Station Car Park site.
“However, we strongly object to the current plans, which we believe represent overdevelopment; unnecessarily compromise the amenity of neighbouring residents; are of poor and unacceptable design; and risk undermining the economic viability of Blackheath Village.”
They added: “We are working closely with local residents and businesses to provide Lewisham planning officers with further evidence to strengthen our earlier objection and to address the serious issues raised during the public consultation meeting held on July 3.”
A spokesperson for Lewisham Council said they cannot comment due to it being a live planning application, however the final decision will rest with the Strategic Planning Committee – which is expected this autumn.
A CGI drawing of the new Farmers’ Market Credit: Acorn / Lewisham planning documents
The plans have been met with strong opposition from locals Credit: Acorn / Lewisham planning documents
Campaigners argue the new homes will overshadow the existing terraces on Collins Street Credit: Acorn / Lewisham planning documents
Jude Law Credit: WikimediaCommons
TAX TOURISTS AND FORCE BROMLEY TO BUILD HOMES ON GREEN SPACES TO FUND BAKERLOO EXTENSION: REPORT
By Issy Clarke
TAX
TOURISTS and build homes on Bromley's green spaces to pay for the Bakerloo line extension, a new report authored by an influential Labour think tank has urged.
'Wealthy' London should be given the tools to pay for its own infrastructure such as the Bakerloo line extension to Hayes, including tax-raising powers similar to those used by Paris to finance transport projects, the report said.
The Paris city region makes €7 billion a year from a 3 per cent transport levy on local incomes which is ringfenced for transport spending, and can charge tourists up to €15 a night to pay for infrastructure.
More flexibility to raise council tax, provided funds will directly go to infrastructure investment, would also be handed over, as would the ability to deploy development corporations that could buy up land cheaply for future building.
The report, drawn up by Labour Together and the YIMBY Alliance, also stated that Sadiq Khan should use a Mayoral Development Corporation to force Bromley Council, which sits at the end of the proposed extension, to build more homes on the borough's green space.
"Bromley is the least dense London
borough because it is over 50% greenbelt, with only 13% as many residents per km² as Tower Hamlets.
The borough’s golf courses alone could hold more than 10k new homes," said the authors.
For every 10,000 homes built on the line of the proposed route, London could generate £2bn in value towards funding the project, they estimated.
However, the report noted that this would lead to a "bruising political fight with Bromley. Any mayor would sidestep it if there was the option of just getting the Treasury to write a cheque."
In exchange for the new powers, the Mayor would no longer be able to appeal to the Treasury for funds. “It is ridiculous that London, one of the richest economies in the world, has to come to the government with a begging bowl to fund the infrastructure it needs,” the report's authors say.
The cost of extending the Bakerloo Line to New Cross and Lewisham via the Old Kent Road has spiralled from £2-3 billion in 2010 to between £5 and £8 billion at the last estimate in 2021. It was first included in the Mayor's Transport Strategy in 2010, but has repeatedly been placed on the backburner ever since.
Part of the project has been funded by London, but is awaiting billions of pounds from the Treasury before it can get off the ground. Despite
London offering to pay for much of the project through levies on businesses and housing developers along the proposed line, Transport for London is understood to be several billion pounds short.
Hopes were dashed earlier this summer that the government's June spending review could unleash funding for the project. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £2.2 billion multiyear capital funding settlement for TfL - some way off the amount needed to fund the Bakerloo Line extension.
In this case and others like it, the report says, the Mayor of London should have the powers to raise the funds himself instead of appealing to the Treasury.
Despite the funding let-down, the project appears to be inching closer. The Mayor recently finished consulting on a new express bus to trace the route of the extension, and earlier this year the Transport Secretary formally safeguarded the land against any future development.
The report highlighted the Elizabeth Line as an example of how infrastructure should be paid for, of which only £5bn was paid by the Treasury out of the total £19bn cost of the project.
The authors' recommendations echo suggestions earlier this year by business leaders that the Mayor should
"Bromley is the least dense London borough because it is over 50% greenbelt, with only 13% as many residents per km² as Tower Hamlets. The borough’s golf courses alone could hold more than 10k new homes
be allowed to raise money for projects like the Bakerloo line extension or Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension to Thamesmead, essentially by “borrowing against” the schemes’ future economic benefits.
This argument in technical terms is known as 'land value capture' and involves borrowing money that will eventually be reclaimed by the government via windfall taxes on the increased value of the land.
A version of it – focused on business rates – was used to partly-fund the Northern line extension to Battersea Power Station.
"Richer areas like London should have the powers and incentives to fund their own infrastructure, freeing up central government funding for the parts of the country that can’t yet stand on their own two feet," the report's authors state.
"That means beefing up their tools to get more money out of landowners who make windfall gains in land values as a result of development, and from businesses who will see bumper footfall and profits.
"But with more power comes more responsibility. In return for those tools,
London must use them to pay for its own infrastructure. It can’t be made to bring its begging bowl to Whitehall. London could fund the Bakerloo line extension, for example, if the Mayor fought the boroughs along the line to build much more housing."
A spokesperson for the Mayor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The Mayor welcomes the new era granted to London through the latest Devolution Bill, which means we can move forward with innovative new policies to boost economic growth and raise living standards in the capital as well as across the country.
“More devolution would allow us to unleash London’s economy further, and compared to other global cities we remain a heavily centralised country, with too much power still in the corridors of Whitehall.
“The Mayor will continue working closely with the Government to deliver more devolution for the capital as we build a fairer, safer, more prosperous London for everyone.”
The Treasury was contacted for comment.
Additional reporting by Kumail JafferLocal Democracy Reporting Service
Teen in life-threatening condition after reports of a triple stabbing
By Evie Flynn
TWO 17-YEAR-OLDS have been taken to hospital and another is in custody after a triple stabbing on Old Kent Road on Wednesday night (27 August).
The London Ambulance service were called at 10:45pm after reports of a stabbing on Old Kent Road, near the Asda supermarket.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, a paramedic from our tactical response unit and an incident response officer.
We also dispatched a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance, which consists of a doctor and a paramedic in a car.
“We treated three patients for stab wounds and took them to major trauma centres.”
Police confirmed two boys, both aged 17, were found at the scene with stab wounds and that one remains in hospital in a life-threatening conditions.
A second teenager was taken to hospital where his injuries were deemed not life-threatening.
A Met Police spokesperson said that following a pursuit, another 17-yearold boy was arrested by officers on
suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.
The Met advise that Old Kent Road Eastbound remains closed today and ask residents to avoid the area where possible.
“We understand the concern this incident will cause within the local community. Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days,” the police spokesperson added.
If you have any information that could help police, please call 101 quoting CAD 8387/27AUG. If you wish to remain anonymous, please speak with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, and Mayor Sadiq Khan marking the launch of the consultation earlier this year
COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER AT MILLWALL PUB AFTER FLEEING FIRE IN THEIR BLOCK OF FLATS
Residents took shelter at the Five Bells pub in New Cross after the
By Ruby Gregory
Local Democracy Reporter
IT FELT like a normal weekday afternoon on Wednesday two weeks ag when the typical hum of traffic around New Cross station was broken by shocked voices as smoke billowed into the air.
A South London community has come together to support dozens of residents who are now homeless after a major fire broke out at their block of flats.
Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were eventually called to tackle the blaze which had broken out at a block of flats in Hatcham Park Mews which thankfully everyone escaped from – but it left dozens of people homeless.
Some members of the South London community, not wanting to sit back while neighbours were in need, stepped up.
In the hours and days that followed, displaced families were offered shelter, food and empathy with a string of online fundraisers also set up.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said 34 residents were relocated to Wavelengths Leisure Centre in Deptford, which acted as a rest centre throughout the night, as well as a nearby hotel.
However there was a third premises which turned into an emergency refuge centre on the night of the fire. The Five Bells pub on New Cross Road, at the junction of Hatcham Park Road, stayed open until 6am on Thursday morning, which allowed impacted residents to shelter inside and firefighters were able to use the toilets throughout the night.
Pub landlord Joshua Burton said: “I just tried to do what I felt like I was supposed to do with the position that I’m in. I think even if I lived locally I would have tried to do something. I think it’s something I was always aware of about pubs; it used to be a crisis point in British culture.”
He added: “Normally my licensing hours are until 11pm but it was at that point I could clearly see the fire wasn’t stopping and there’s a load of people in here, most of whom are from the flats.
"So I thought ‘I’m just going to stay open’ – not in a service way – but I’m just going to
at least stay open.”
On Wednesday night and during the early hours of Thursday morning, the pub’s electrics cut out twice so Joshua lit candles and got one of his speakers working to play some music in the background to alleviate any stress experienced by residents.
He added: “It was about 6am when I had the confirmation about Wavelengths [being the official refuge centre] so I just ordered them all taxis, I don’t know if they even had anything like their bank cards, they asked to pay me back but I said ‘don’t worry about it’ so I got them the taxis and I got them to Wavelengths.”
Over the Bank Holiday weekend, the community centre which is connected to All Saints Church in New Cross was also used as a space for residents to come and use the facilities and get refreshments.
Last week, the centre launched its first community meal event, which is taking place every Thursday at 1.15pm where residents can enjoy a free lunch from FoodCycle Lewisham. The timing was impeccable with locals still displaced.
The project is being funded by FoodCycle and Lewisham Council’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), which the council collects from developments and is used to fund various projects in the borough.
Liam Shrivastava, a councillor for New Cross Gate ward, said people have been really impressed with the community response to the fire. Together with fellow ward councillor, Aisha Malik-Smith, he has been supporting affected residents including making sure their temporary accommodation is suitable for their needs.
Cllr Malik-Smith said: “All of these residents have lost their homes and all of their possessions, it’s a huge upheaval. It’s so traumatic for so many families so we’re really just doing what we can to support them and make all of the process and the admin that comes along with it as easy as possible and just lift as much of the burden as possible.
“Some people have stayed with friends and family, some people have been placed in temporary accommodation [including] hotels, but everyone has had somewhere safe to stay in the short-term; the next
have been accidental but the exact cause is still under investigation
step is looking at long-term support for housing.”
LFB control officers took the first 12 calls to the fire on the Wednesday, August 20, at 4.27pm and the fire was under control by
6.48am on Thursday, August 21.
LFB said there were no reports of any injuries, but part of the first floor and most of the second floor of the block were damaged by the fire and the building’s roof was also destroyed. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands the fire is believed to have been accidental but the exact cause is still under investigation.
World's oldest boat race returns to the Thames
By Emily Driver
THE RIVER Thames will swap ferries, freighters and Uber boats for single sculls on Wednesday, 10 September, as three rowers compete in the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager – the oldest continuously run boat race in the world.
Dating back to 1715, the annual wager is a historic test of strength, skill and endurance. The arena is a 7.44km course of London’s most iconic, fastrunning waters between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier. The award: the Red Coat and Silver Badge – one of the City of London’s most prestigious accolades.
Battling for glory are Charlie Milward (Poplar, Blackwell and District Rowing Club), who will row on station one in white; making his fourth and final vie for the prize is Coran Cherry (from the same club), who will row on station two in black; and Jack Finelli (Medway Towns Rowing Club), who returns for a second time on station three in blue.
The event is collaboratively organised by The Fishmongers’ Company and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames, with former Doggett’s winner and current recordholder, Bobby Prentice, as umpire.
Sean Collins, CEO of Thames Clippers and past Doggett’s winner, has said that the race represents a delicate balance between tradition and modernity:
“Traditions such as Doggett’s Coat and Badge are not merely about reflecting on the past; they emphasise the transmission of skills, values, and pride that have shaped the Thames over the centuries. The Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager serves as a tangible connection between the waterage skills of yesteryear and the competencies of future watermen.”
The pageantry begins from London Bridge at 11:30 am, with the race itself starting at 12:15 pm.
Spectators are encouraged to line the bridges or riverbank to witness a tradition older than the United States –and a contest that turns Britain’s proud waterway into a timeless sporting arena.
blaze
Joshua Burton is the pub landlord for the Five Bells in New Cross, Lewisham
The fire is believed to
The Five Bells
© Ruby Gregory LDR
© Ruby Gregory LDR
Ruby Gregory LDR
© Port of London Authority
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THOSE STARTING SECONDARY SCHOOL NEXT YEAR
By Kevin Quinn
EACH YEAR the challenge of deciding on which secondary school to apply to for your child remains one of the biggest education decisions for parents and carers...
You can’t expect to name a secondary school and assume that your child will automatically be offered a place. It is simply a case of listing the schools you prefer and awaiting the outcome of the allocation process.
It is vital that you get the order of preferences right on your child’s primary to secondary transfer application. You may be tempted to name just one school on the online application as it is the only school you want for your child. However, there are no guarantees that your child will be offered this school. To increase the chances of your child being offered a preferred school, we strongly advise you to list up to six preferences on their application.
There are various types of secondary schools to choose from including academies, voluntary aided, foundation, and free schools. And it is here where the oversubscription criteria vary. It is important you fully understand the oversubscription criteria and match them to your own circumstances. Some schools
are heavily oversubscribed, with hundreds applying for places.
Schools arrange open days/evenings where you can find out more about what they offer - you are strongly advised to check each school’s website for details on how and when they will be holding their open day/evening, as this may be subject to change at short notice.
Make sure you find out how many applications the school usually receivesthis information will also be printed in the Starting Secondary school in Southwark 2026/27 brochure and the Starting secondary school in Lambeth 2026/27 booklet, as well as other boroughs.
The more people who apply for a school for their children, the bigger the risk that your child might not be offered a place at that school. Armed with this knowledge, you should be better placed to put your preferences down.
Do use all six preferences - however, you need to be wary about only choosing schools which are heavily over-subscribed. You should name your first preference school on the application, but also list preferences where your child has a realistic chance of being offered a place.
Applying for secondary schools can be emotionally difficult. It is such a vital decision for your child’s future.
If your child is in Year 6 and currently
attending one of Southwark’s or Lambeth’s primary schools, you will receive further information from your child’s school.
If you are a Southwark resident you must apply online at: www.southwark.gov.uk/ schooladmissions or if you are a Lambeth resident you must apply online at www.lambeth.gov.uk/eadmissions
The online application process gets rid of the paperwork and is available to use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The site allows users to save, continue or make changes to their application, right up until the closing date and your details are safe and secure. You will receive an email with a summary of your submitted application and you can also view the outcome online. The closing date to submit the online application is 31st October 2025 by 11.59pm.
You also need to ensure that you complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) for the schools that require these and submit it to the school by their individual deadline. These ask for further information, such as religious observance or regarding school specialisms. Where a school requires your child to sit an admissions banding test, it is vital that they sit the test. If you are applying to a secondary school that uses banding within its criteria, your child will be required
to take a test. Please contact the school directly for further details on banding test arrangements.
If you are thinking of applying to schools that test for ability/aptitude, you must ensure that you register your child for the ability/aptitude admission test before each school’s published deadline and you must also submit your child’s online admissions application by 31st October 2025. Failure to provide a SIF to the school by their
deadline and your child sitting a banding test or an ability/aptitude test, where these are needed, may significantly reduce the chances of your child being offered a place at a school on your application. Children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan follow a different admissions process and parents and carers must contact the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Team within their local authority for further advice.
RECORD BREAKING GCSE RESULTS AT PIMLICO ACADEMY - AS STUDENTS ON AVERAGE ACHIEVE HALF A GRADE HIGHER ACROSS ALL SUBJECTS
Despite GCSE outcomes falling nationally compared to last summer Pimlico Academy is delighted to announce another year of exceptional GCSE results. Students have achieved remarkable outcomes, setting the stage for their future academic pursuits.
Results across all measures have improved significantly including 60% achieving grade 9-5 including English and maths (increase of 6%) and 78% of students achieving grade 9-4 including English and Maths (increase of 10%).
Not only are these headline measures by which school performance is judged but more importantly it means a greater number of students are achieving the grades needed to progress onto level 3 qualifications at college or sixth form.
These excellent results follow on from last week’s A Level success, which saw students secure a raft of
top grades, allowing them to take up places at a range of prestigious universities, including the University of Cambridge. With 30% of all entries receiving A*/A, this year’s results were exceptionally strong and meant that students secured places at a number of Russell Group institutions.
A significant number of students surpassed expectations, with 78% attaining all grade 4 or above, 60% attaining grades 5 or above, almost a 30% of all students achieved grade 7-9 in Maths and English. These strong performances reflect the dedication and hard work of students, staff and families.
This summer’s results reflect a significant step forward and celebration for the school community, with students on average achieving half a grade higher than last year across all subjects. These exceptional results not only represent significant progress based
on last years results but are the best results in schools history.
As well as great individual results there are some subjects which performed exceptionally well with 42% of students achieving grade 7 or above in Computer Science, 65% achieving grade 7 or above in Music and 48% of students achieving grade 9 in Latin.
SUMMARY OF GCSE RESULTS:
• 60% of pupils achieved a strong pass in both English and Maths
• 78% of pupils achieved a standard pass in both English and Maths
• 88% of pupils achieved a standard pass or above in English and 78% of pupils achieved a strong pass or above in English
• 88% of pupils achieved a standard pass or above in Maths and 62% of pupils achieved a strong pass or above
• 48% of pupils achieved grade 9 i n Latin
• 42% of pupils achieved grade 7 or above in Computer Science
• 65% of pupils achieved grade 7 or above in Music
AMONG OUR TOP PERFORMING PUPILS WERE:
Fatima all grade 9
Charlotte all grade 9
Arif five grade 9’s and four grade 8
Sara all grade 8 and 9
Saudo all grade8 and 9
Ellie seven grade 9’s and two grade 8
Yassin all grade8 and 9
Zoe all grade 8 and 9
Chiara all grade8 and 9
James all grade8 and 9
Peter all grade 8 and 9
Executive Principal Tony MacDowall remarked, “I would like to congratulate all our students on a brilliant set of GCSE grades. They have shown remarkable commitment to their studies and I am delighted that their hard work has been rewarded today. Our wonderful staff do so much to ensure that all students are able to achieve highly and I would also like to thank them for their incredible work. We look forward to celebrating their continued successes in the years to come”
Brockwell Hall is now open again thanks to a transformative £7.7 million investment from Lambeth Council, including £3.9 million funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and support of the Brockwell Park Community Partners. Be among the first to experience the timeless charm of this historic venue, which is beautifully restored to blend heritage with modern elegance. Whether you're planning a private celebration, a corporate or community event or simply want to explore, Brockwell Hall offers the perfect setting for any occasion. Book your event today and become part of the next chapter in Brockwell Hall’s rich history.
Established in 1813, Brockwell Hall is a stunning Grade II* listed Georgian Mansion House set centrally within the grounds of the historic Brockwell Park, surrounded by over 125 acres of abundant nature, with panoramic views of the City. Offering a variety of multipurpose spaces, Brockwell Hall is the ideal location for celebrations, conferences, and community events, with the capacity to accommodate up to 200 guests.
Contact us: venues@lambeth.gov.uk
@venuelambeth
18 NEWS
By Kumail Jaffer
Local Democracy Reporter
THE MAYOR of London has hailed his controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) policy as “bold” and “transformative” two years after its expansion to the outer boroughs –but has it been a success?
ULEZ, first introduced in 2019, has been expanded twice – once in 2021 to cover anything inside the North and South Circular roads, and again on August 29, 2023 to cover all 32 London boroughs.
Today marks the two-year anniversary of the full rollout, which sparked anger, legal challenge and a lot of debate on social media – but the silent majority appear to have spoken when Sir Sadiq won a landmark third term at this year’s Mayoral election despite the belief ULEZ might be his downfall.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has taken a look at what’s happened since the expansion, and whether it can be considered a success.
WHAT WAS THE POINT OF ULEZ AND HAS IT DELIVERED?
The London-wide zone measures 1,500 km2 and covers nine million people, making it the largest of its kind in the world.
The intention is simple – to improve London’s air quality by discouraging the most polluting vehicles from being on the roads.
To do this, drivers of older cars which fail to meet emission standards are compelled to pay a £12.50 fee for every day they drive in any of London’s boroughs. This applies largely to pre-2005 petrol vehicles and pre-2015 diesel models.
Both the introduction and expansion of ULEZ were seen as an unfair tax on motorists by critics.
Two years on, however, it’s clear that the clean air zone has played some part in clearing up London’s traditional smog.
Figures from the Mayor’s Office have revealed that NOx emissions, which can cause inflammation of the airways and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and to allergens, were estimated to be 36 per cent lower in 2024 than they would have been had ULEZ not been introduced.
This figure was 14 per cent in Outer London. The region also saw an 82 per cent reduction in people exposed to illegal levels of pollution.
Similarly, concentrations of NO2, or nitrogen dioxide, were estimated to be 54 per cent lower in Central London, and 27 per cent lower across the whole of the capital.
Cumulatively, carbon emissions are estimated to be 813,000 tonnes lower due to ULEZ – the equivalent of nearly 3 million passenger trips between Heathrow and New York.
The Mayor of London said: “The ULEZ
By Ruby Gregory Local Democracy Reporter
ANOTHER COUNCILLOR has quit the Labour Party, citing a “toxic culture of bullying”, also accusing the party of “pandering to the far right” and stirring up racial tensions.
Martin Abrams (pictured), who has been a Lambeth councillor for Streatham St Leonard’s ward since 2022, announced his resignation from the Labour Party on social media on Thursday, August 28.
In an official statement, Cllr Abrams said he was “shocked at how bad things have become” under the leadership
HAS IT WORKED? How ULEZ changed London two years on from its expansion
is the world’s largest clean air zone, and thanks to this bold policy and our other transformative air quality policies, all Londoners and visitors are now breathing cleaner air while thousands of polluting cars have been taken off our roads meaning levels of toxic air pollution have substantially decreased.
“Two years since ULEZ expanded London-wide, I’m proud the evidence shows it’s been even more effective than expected in helping to improve the health of Londoners, support children’s lung growth and ultimately save lives.
“Due to these pioneering policies, we are close to bringing air pollution within legal limits and I remain committed to improving air quality across the capital as we continue building a greener, fairer, better London for everyone.”
The introduction of the scheme was criticised for leaving some poorer Londoners facing a £12.50 daily charge if they could not afford a newer vehicle, or stopping using their car altogether.
However, the Scrappage scheme, which originally offered up to £7,000 compensation if a polluting car was handed over, paid out £186million for more than 53,000 older vehicles to help motorists. Of these units, 684 were donated to support medical and humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
The results have prompted calls for the Mayor to go even further in his battle to clean up London’s air
Caroline Russell, Green Party London
Assembly Member and Leader of the Green Group, told the LDRS: “London’s air is 27% cleaner thanks to the ULEZ – proof that bold action works.
“The success of the ULEZ is testimony to the many campaigners who pushed and pushed for the Mayor to act, so that Londoners can trust the air they breathe. But the work is far from over. Congestion is still a huge issue and more needs to be done to give people the confidence to ditch their cars for good.”
OPPOSITION, LEGAL CHALLENGES AND VANDALISM
It been far from plain sailing, however.
As well as his political opponents, the Mayor of London has faced resistance from councils in London – four of whom launched a High Court challenge to the August 2023 expansion – and even his Labour Party colleagues.
MPs Seema Malhotra, Jon Cruddas, Siobhain McDonagh and Abena OppongAsare all came out publicly against the Outer London expansion.
A month prior to the move, Labour lost a high-profile by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, prompting leader Sir Keir Starmer to urge Sir Sadiq to “reflect” on its rollout.
ULEZ infrastructure itself has also fallen victim to organised vandalism. So-called ‘Blade Runners’ said they intended to destroy all cameras tasked with enforcing the scheme.
The Mayor of London has refused to budge on his support for ULEZ, saying in March that he has “no plans to move the goalposts” when it comes to vehicle standards. That same month, figures revealed that over 97 per cent of vehicles seen driving in London were ULEZcompliant.
Councillor quits Labour Party citing a ‘toxic culture of bullying’
of Keir Starmer and after one year in Government. Cllr Abrams said: “Keir Starmer is now breaking records for unpopularity and is rolling out the red carpet for Nigel Farage and Reform. “Labour is now pandering to the far right, by scapegoating migrants and the most vulnerable in our society, deliberately stirring up racial tensions caused not by migrants but 45 years of failed neoliberalism.”
He added: “The Government is complicit in the ongoing Gaza genocide, providing military intelligence and support to Israel whilst at the same time criminalising dissent and peaceful protest
which has now led to the ridiculous and shameful spectacle of the mass arrests of pensioners under the Terrorism Act.”
He went on to say he was “appalled” that a “toxic culture of bullying, racism, sexism, disablism and factionalism” which he claimed has been allowed and encouraged to fester in the party under Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Cllr Abrams is Jewish, and was suspended by Lambeth Labour in February 2024 after he voted for a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He says due to the ongoing suspension, he has been blocked from re-standing as a Labour candidate in the 2026 local elections.
Cllr Abrams said: “As an Anti-Zionist Jewish person who was always taught to stand with the oppressed and never the oppressor, this vote was a matter of conscience for me and I am proud I took this stance.”
Cllr Abrams added: “I still have huge amounts of energy, passion and ambitions for Streatham and to be that voice in Lambeth Council that always stands up for the whole community and I look forward to continuing this work.”
He will now sit as an independent councillor. Lambeth Labour was contacted for comment.
Yet he is still likely to face opposition from those wishing to reverse it. Last year the Conservative London Mayoral candidate Susan Hall pledged to scrap the Outer London expansion, largely pinning her election hopes to that pledge – this appeared to have backfired when Sir Sadiq won by a landslide.
It would be no surprise, however, if both the Tories and Reform UK ran on a similar policy next time around, in an attempt to tap into the anger that remains among some in the city’s outer boroughs.
Keith Prince, the City Hall Conservatives Transport Spokesman, told the LDRS: “Two years on, Sadiq Khan’s Outer London ULEZ has slapped drivers with over 2 million fines and £224 million from their pockets, yet pollution levels have barely shifted. This is nothing more than a cash grab to mask his wider failures at City Hall.”
CORNERSTONE
Corner shop boss stars in his own Coca-Cola campaign
By Evie Flynn
CATFORD
BUSINESSMAN
Kaual Patel, owner of Torridon Convenience Store, stars in a major Coca-Cola campaign revealing the untold stories of Britain’s corner shop bosses.
Kaual is one of six business owners around the country to feature in a six part photography and mini docu-series that follows the stories of local corner shop bosses from across Great Britain.
This Coca-Cola campaign spotlights the invaluable role that corner shops and the people behind the counter play in their local communities.
Kaual’s parents bought the store, 189191 Torridon Rd, in 1984 and grew a successful business before Kaual took over the running of things in 2000. Kaual’s mantra is: “If you’re a local producer, there’s a space on my shelf for you”.
The short film shares how Kaual has turned his family’s convenience store into a cornerstone of the local community. He
stocks products from small, independent local producers alongside big brands like Coca-Cola, and supports a range of community projects including a mural from local schoolchildren which now takes pride of place on the pavement outside his store.
Kaual is dedicated to making a difference in Catford, recently giving up his spare time to fix the local church roof.
He’s also a savvy entrepreneur who has created his own range of products, to give his customers an authentic taste of Catford that they can’t get anywhere else. Such items include the ‘Torridon Convenience Store IPA’ - made in collaboration with Brockley Brewery - and his own brand of Gin, flavoured with bay leaves from the trees outside his store.
The campaign is shot by awardwinning director Ross Bolidai and National Portrait Gallery photographer Serena Brown.
Kaual said: “Catford is home, and I’m proud to be in a position not just to provide my local community with their daily essentials, but to give something back too.”
As well as being the subject of his own micro-documentary, Kaual’s face will be on display on Out of Home advertisement spots across Catford to celebrate 125 years of Coca-Cola being sold in Great Britain.
TOOTING COULD GET A M&S
By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter
SHOPPERS HAVE backed Marks & Spencer’s plans to open a new food store in South London.
The retailer is set to open a new food hall in the former Wilkinson’s store on Mitcham Road, in Tooting, which locals hope will revive the area.
The future of the building has been uncertain since Wilko shut in 2023. But these questions have now been answered, as M&S has submitted two planning applications to Wandsworth Council to carry out minor works to the building and put up signs to allow it to open a new food hall there.
It does not need any extra permission to operate at the site, which is opposite Tooting Broadway Underground station.
The move would mark M&S’s return to the area, as it previously had a store on the road for 40 years until it shut in 2008.
Residents have thrown their support behind the plans on the council’s website, stating the new food hall would help the neighbourhood.
One commenter wrote: “This is fantastic news. Many residents have dreamed of a local M&S, especially after the sad news
PLANS FOR PADEL AND PICKLEBALL
By Cameron Blackshaw Local Democracy Reporter
PADEL AND pickleball could both be coming to Greenwich after one club had planning permission approved and another just submitted a proposal.
Greenwich Council has approved The London Padel Club’s proposal to install four outdoor padel courts on empty land that used to be occupied by Eltham Police Station in Well Hall Road, Eltham.
of Wilko going and other local shops shutting. It’s so important for Tooting town centre to maintain its vibrant and diverse mix of different types of shop so that the local community can buy what they need close by.”
Another supporter said: “I think this would be a welcome addition to Tooting Broadway, a positive presence in a location that has seemed depressing after shop closures and especially useful because of its closeness to the Tube station.”
A third added: “This is fantastic. Tooting needs more shops that aren’t corner shops or yet another barber shop. The council and councillors should definitely support and approve this. It would be great to have a store such as M&S in Tooting.”
Planning documents said the new M&S would “provide employment opportunities and wider economic benefits”. They added the store would “benefit the vitality and viability of the surrounding retail centre, provide enhanced consumer choice with a quality range of fresh goods, as well as bring back into use a site which is currently vacant”.
Wandsworth Council will make a decision on both planning applications in due course.
The council has also received an application from ClubPickle to build inner London’s first indoor pickleball facility and clubhouse by the Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range.
Eltham Police Station—which was built in 1937—closed in 2022 and was soon knocked down after planning permission to demolish it was granted in the same year. The plot has been vacant since then.
Now the site will be used for Londoners to try their hands at padel, a more accessible variation of tennis that has become popular in the city in recent years. According to planning documents, padel is the fastest growing racket sport in the world, with the Lawn Tennis Association calling it “easy to play, fun and extremely sociable”.
Alongside the four floodlit courts, planning permission has been granted to build an associated bar/lounge and seating area, toilets and changing facilities, office space, storage, outdoor seating and parking for both cars and bikes.
Although the proposal has been approved, the application was only for temporary planning permission of five years, meaning the club currently only
has permission to operate until 2030. ClubPickle’s proposal to build a pickleball club on the peninsula is also for a temporary period, but for 10 years instead of five. Pickleball, like padel, has exploded in popularity in recent years as well. According to ClubPickle, over 50 million people play it globally and it is the most accessible racket sport in the world.
Although pickleball and padel are similar in terms of playing style and looks, key differences include that padel is played in a bigger, enclosed court while pickleball is played on a smaller, open one. They are also played with different types of rackets and balls.
The Greenwich pickleball club would have 12 indoor courts alongside a clubhouse café, toilets, showers and an office and reception area. If approved, the club would be built on land that is currently used for storage and parking, just by the northeast side of the golf range.
ClubPickle currently operates one of London’s largest pickleball clubs which is based in Acton, Ealing. It has gained over 200 members since it was established.
What the ClubPickle facility in Greenwich could look like.
Credit: ClubPickle.
Eltham Police Station (picture taken in 2021). Credit: Google Maps.
what’s on
Jane Eyre Returns for Anniversary
LIVE WIRE & Roughhouse Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Charlotte Bronte’s timeless classic Jane Eyre: an autobiography is coming to the Greenwich Theatre to mark a deeply poignant anniversary in the great novelist’s life.
200 years ago in the Spring of 1825, when Charlotte was only nine years of age, both her older sisters - Maria and Elizabeth - died of consumption within weeks of each other at just 10 & 11 years old respectively.
As Director Shane Morgan explains “there is no doubt whatever that the devastating impact of Maria and Elizabeth’s deaths was key to the germination of the Jane Eyre whose orphaned heroine endures childhood loss, rejection and isolation as she embarks on her quest for familial love and somewhere to belong.
Adapted by award winning playwright Dougie Blaxland and produced by the same creative team that won the 2021 National Campaign for the Arts Award, Live Wire & Roughhouse Theatre’s Jane Eyre: an autobiography is in fact a revival of the 2015 production that was hailed “a theatrical tour de
REVIEW: THE ACTORS MOVE MARVELLOUSLY BETWEEN CHARACTERS DOWN THE BOOZER
TWO IS a play about a pub and performed in a pub with the press performance preceded by a gin tasting session. I thought life could not get any better, writes Michael Holland.
Jim Cartwright's 1989 play takes us through one night in a busy pub run by a husband and wife team and peopled by a diverse range of customers. An opening monologue by the landlord reveals that his wife is a 'cow' and a 'bitch' - or so he thinks... They met there, courted there and had their wedding reception there. Now they 'own the bloody place'.
The couple barely have time for real conversation as running a pub is a fulltime job; 24-7, every day of the year, early starts and late finishes. They bicker behind the bar while bantering with the punters.
A drunk drops by to shout at no one and an old man hobbles in for a glass of mild.
One regular drops in for a Guinness after caring for a husband all day; the
Scouser with the roving eye ensures he keeps his girlfriend sweet as she has the beer money; one woman trembles in terror as her husband slyly causes her physical and mental pain, while another declares a penchant for big men while emasculating her mild-mannered husband. There is a dance scene that makes us think slightly better of the low-rent Lothario as we see true love in the eyes of his girlfriend, and feel genuine sadness for the woman in the abusive relationship - a part of the play that creates a deafening silence, as if time has stood still while we glare at her bully bastard husband with genuine hatred.
All life is in that pub, seen through the fourteen different characters and the words that they say. Fourteen different characters with different accents and ages and outlooks on life. Fourteen different characters all played by Kellie Shirley and Peter Caulfield moving marvellously between each one as they pop up
in different parts of the bar to be a different person. Each short scene provides enough information to really know and understand these customers. These small people-portraits are painted with Cartwright's wonderful words and superb acting from two great actors who bring the best out of each other without it being a competition. If there is gripe it is that there didn't appear to be any narrative arc, though the feeling of eavesdropping on these lives made that okay as I could have watched them all night and had a lock in to watch them even more. But then, just like the cry of 'Last orders' brings a rush to get that last one in, a previously unseen plot twist was dropped in for the last ten minutes to bring Two to a somewhat unsatisfying end.
But don't let that put you off as everything else in this play is fantastic. Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, SE10 8ES until 20th September. Full details and Booking: greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/two/
force from a company with a rare gift for bringing classics to life with loyalty, energy and intrigue”.
Central to bringing Jane Eyre: an autobiography back to the stage 178 years after its original publication is what Movement Director Moira Hunt describes as “its compelling relevance for women in the 21st Century” arguing that “Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre broke the mould of the Victorian female stereotype through its dramatisation of a woman of independent mind and means who refuses to be subservient in any way to her male counterparts.”
Alison Campbell - a graduate of the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre Schoolis delighted to be reprising her role as Jane Eyre and believes that “the revival of the production to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the death of Maria & Elizabeth Bronte is of great significance in honouring the extraordinary Bronte family as a whole and highlighting the creative genius that emerged in the face of tragedy.” Thurs 25th & Fri 26th September Greenwich Theatre, London 19:30 (additional matinee at 14:30 on 26th Sept) Booking and full details: www. greenwichtheatre.org.uk
Review: I was bewitched, discombobulated and bewildered
MAGIC IS a magical thing, it can leave you bewitched or bewildered or both. For children, seeing a magician is like seeing the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus. For adults it is a battle of wits and guile; the sorcerers trying to outwit the grown-ups in the audience while they are trying to work out how they do it, writes Michael Holland... The conjurors understand these are rules of the game and know they are judged by how many tricks they can leave you confounded.
And so it was at Calder's Book Shop in The Cut, where Mark Guest spent over an hour keeping us fully focussed on his hands, on his eyes and on his word; all the clues to reveal the trickery in his show - 'Believe' - are be there if you looked and listened hard enough.
On entering the famous book shop we were asked to write down a favourite celebrity, fold the paper and place it in a jar. We were then guided to a small room behind the bookshelves. The first one to go in had to find the magic book on a shelf to open the secret door.
Eventually the room became packed with 20-30 people and during the show Magic Mark drew most of them onto his stage to assist with the legerdemain.
Each helper went back to their seat totally bamboozled - Discombobulated by how did he know their star sign, what city they were thinking of, their favourite celebrity, etc.
As the show moved from card tricks to mind-reading tricks, to tricks with phones and tricks where so many people were involved in the set-up it seemed impossible that they were all 'plants' and in cahoots with Mr Guest.
But how did he do them?
When the show came to a dramatic end we left to have an animated
discussion about the show over a glass of ale. I had managed to work out a couple of the deceptions and my son added another one, but that left the remaining number unexplained. We knew that we could not have been the only ones there not part of the ruse, so we had to agree that Mark Guest is a magician of the highest order.
'Believe' has been created as a tribute to Mark's best friend who tragically passed away from cancer in January this year. This show and two shows in September will raise funds for Guy's Cancer Charity.
Catch him (out) if you can.
Phoenix Arts Club, London, WC2H 8BU, on Monday 22nd & 29th September at 18:30.
Tickets available at: phoenixartsclub. com/events/believe-an-evening-ofmagic-mentalism/
Jane Eyre Alison Campbell
305 -307 Camberwell rd, Camberwell Green, SE5 0HQ
Notice of application to vary a Premises Licence
Notice is hereby given that Buns N Beef Ltd has applied to Wandsworth Council to vary the premises at Amigos Burgers and Shakes Tooting, 46 Mitcham Road, London, SW17 9NA
Application seeks to remove the licensable activity for alcohol sales and recorded music from the premises licence.
The application also seeks to amend the hours for late-night refreshment to Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 02:00 and opening/closing time to Monday to Sunday 11:00 to 02:00
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 24th September 2025 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden,Surrey,SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk
The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden,Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk
It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
I, Burcu Sahin do hereby give notice that I have applied to the Licensing Authority at The London Borough of Bromley for a new Premises Licence at: 344 High Street, Orpington, BR6 0NQ and known as: Quality Kebab
The application is to allow the following licensable activities to take place:
The sale of alcohol (on and off the premises):
Monday to Thursday: 11:30 to 00:00 hours
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 to 01:00 hours
Sunday: 11:30 to 00:00 hours
Late night refreshment:
Monday to Thursday: 23:00 to 00:00 hours
Friday and Saturday: 23:00 to 01:00 hours
Sunday: 23:00 to 00:00 hours
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11:30 to 00:00 hours
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 to 01:00 hours
Sunday: 11:30 to 00:00 hours
Any person wishing to make representations to this application may do so by writing, stating the grounds of objection to: Public Protection, Bromley Civic Centre, Churchill Court, 2 Westmoreland Road, Bromley, BR1 1AS. Representations may also be sent via email to licensing@bromley.gov.uk not later than: 25 SEPTEMBER 2025
Representations received after this date cannot be considered. All representations MUST BE IN WRITING. A copy of the application can be viewed at the Licensing Authority’s address during normal office hours by appointment; or on the Council’s website: www.bromley.gov.uk (search applications). It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with this application, the maximum fine on summary of conviction is currently unlimited.
Signed: Esi Licensing & Legal Consultancy Ltd. on behalf of the applicant
Dated: 28 August 2025
ACT 1984 - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON GLENCAIRN ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that to facilitate bridge investigation works, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth made an Order, the general effect of which will be in Glencairn
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A205 GLA ROAD (UPPER RICHMOND ROAD, LONDON BOROUGH OF WANDSWORTH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF STOPPING) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable gas and electrical servicing works to take place on the A205 Upper Richmond Road.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from stopping in the:
(1) loading and unloading only bay outside Nos. 280 – 286 Upper Richmond Road; (2) loading and unloading only bay outside Nos. 288 – 294 Upper Richmond Road
The Order will be effective at certain times between 12th September 2025 and 12th October 2025 every Friday at 10:00 AM to Sunday at 8:00 PM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
Dated this 5th day of September 2025
Claire Wright
Co-ordination Manager, Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
Notice of Application to apply for a Premises Licence made under the Licensing Act 2003
Please take notice that ABBYS GRILL PERI PERI LIMITED have made application to the London Borough of Merton to apply for a Premises Licence in respect of Abbys Grill Peri Peri, 259 London Road, Mitcham, CR4 3NH
The application is for as follows:
Late Night Refreshment –Monday to 23.00 to 02.00
A register of all applications made with the London Borough of Merton is maintained by: LICENSING SECTION, LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON, 2ND FLOOR, CIVIC CENTRE, LONDON ROAD, MORDEN, SURREY, SM4 5DX
A record of this application may be inspected by appointment at Merton Civic Centre. Please email licensing@merton.gov.uk or telephone 020 8545 3969.
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 Section at the office or email address above and be received by the Merton’s Licensing Section within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.
Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine. Date application given to the Council: 27/08/2025
LICENSING ACT 2003
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
Name of applicant
Shariffdeen Ahamed Imthiyas
Postal address of premises: Global Food City, 518 London Road, North Cheam, Sutton SM3 8HW
Application Details:
Sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises everyday from 07:00 to 23:00
Full details of the application can be inspected on the licensing register, online at www.sutton.gov.uk or in person at the address given below. Deadline for representations 25/09/2025
Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Authority by post: Licensing Team, London Borough of Sutton, Civic Offices, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA or by email: licensing@sutton.gov.uk
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum penalty on conviction of such an offence is an unlimited fine.
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A217 GLA ROAD (WANDSWORTH PLAIN, LONDON BOROUGH OF WANDSWORTH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London, having consulted the London Borough of Wandsworth, hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable electrical installation works to take place on A217 Wandsworth Plain.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from:
(1) Entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on Wandsworth Plain between its junctions with Wandsworth High Street and Armoury Way;
(2) Entering, exiting or proceeding on All Saints Passage between its junction with Wandsworth Plain and the extended eastern building line of No. 22 Wandsworth Plain.
Local access will be maintained.
This Order will also:
(3) Suspend the one-way operation on All Saints Passage between its junctions with Wandsworth Plain and Wandsworth High Street permitting two-way operation
The Order will be effective at certain times from 6:00 AM on 6th September 2025 until 7:00 PM on 29th September 2025 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
PUBLIC NOTICE Licensing Act 2003
We, Empire Lounge Services Limited, hereby give notice that we have applied to Lewisham Council as the Licensing Authority for the grant of a New Premises Licence at Grand Empire, 108-110 Rushey Green, Catford, London, SE6 4HW to:
1.Allow the sale and supply of alcohol on Monday to Wednesday from 10:00 until 01:30; on Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 until 02:30 and on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 until 03:30. 2. Allow the provision of live and recorded music on Monday to Wednesday from 12:00 until 01:30; Thursday and Sunday from 12:00 until 02:30 and on Friday and Saturday from 12:00 until 03:30. 3. Allow late night refreshment on Monday to Wednesday from 23:00 until 01:30; on Thursday and Sunday from 23:00 until 02:30 and on Friday and Saturday from 23:00 until 03:30.
4.Allow the premises to be open to the public on Monday to Wednesday from 08:00 until 02:00; on Thursday and Sunday from 08:00 until 03:00 and on Friday and Saturday from 08:00 until 04:00. 5. Allow the premises to be open on notable days as applied. The application may be viewed at Lewisham Council, Safer Communities Service, 9 Holbeach Road, London, SE6 4TW by appointment Monday to Friday (except on public holidays) 09.00am to 16:00pm; or at www.lewisham.gov.uk Responsible Authorities or any other person may make representations regarding the application to the licensing authority in writing by emailing licensing@lewisham.gov.uk not later than 29th September 2025 Representations received after this date will not be considered.
It is an offence, liable on conviction to a fine up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited), under Section 158 of The Licensing Act 2003 to make a false statement in or in connection with this application.
Dated 1st September 2025
Dadds Licensing Solicitors office@dadds.co.uk 01277 631811
is hereby given that Archibald
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force an alternative route will be indicated by trafc signs via Wandsworth High Street, Putney Bridge Road and Armoury Way to normal route of travel.
Dated this 5th day of September 2025 Paul Matthews Co-ordination Manager Transport for London
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A4 GLA ROAD (CROMWELL ROAD, ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF STOPPING) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable telecoms works to take place on Cromwell Road.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from stopping in the Loading and Unloading Only Bay on Cromwell Road opposite Nos. 58 - 66.
The Order will be effective at certain times from 7:00 PM on 16th September 2025 to 5:00 AM on 17th September 2025 or when the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of: (1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes; (2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
Dated this 5th day of September 2025
Claire Wright Works Coordination Manager Transport for London
LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ORDER
The Lewisham (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) (Consolidation) (Amendment No. 3) Order 2025
The Lewisham (Charged for Parking Places) (Consolidation) (Amendment No. 3) Order 2025
The Council of the London Borough of Lewisham on 5 September 2025 made with modifications the above Traffic Regulation Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended).
1. The order will come into operation on 8 September 2025.
PTO 1055 The effect of the above orders will be to:
(a) Introduce new mandatory disabled on-street parking places 6.6m in length and 2.0m in width, unless otherwise specified, in Schedule 1 to this Notice; (b) introduce new ‘at any time’ waiting restriction (double yellow lines) in the lengths of roads specified in Schedule 2 to this Notice.
2. Where a new restriction has been made in the same length of road, the existing restrictions have been replaced by those restrictions.
3. Copies of the made Order plans and Statement of the Council’s Reasons for making the Order may be obtained by emailing a request to trafficorders@lewisham.gov.uk quoting reference ‘PTO – 1055’.
4. If any person wishes to question the validity of the Orders or of any of their provisions on the grounds that it or they are not within the powers conferred by the 1984 Act, or that any requirement of that Act or of any instrument made under that Act has not been complied with, that person may, within 6 weeks from the date on which the Order was made, apply for the purpose to the High Court.
Schedule 1
1. Braidwood Road – northern side, outside No.83; 2. Brockman Rise – northern side, outside No.9; 3. Carholme Road – eastern side, outside No.10; 4. Churchdown – southern side, outside No.65; 5. Conisborough Crescent – 2 disabled parking places on the eastern side, outside No.152 and outside No.180; 6. Crutchley Road – southern side, outside No.5; 7. Culverley Road – northern side, outside No.157; 8. Downham Way – southern side, 2 disabled parking places, outside No.602 (2.7m in width); Downham Way – southern side, outside No.265 (2.1m in width); 9. Drakefell Road – northern side, outside No.119; 10. Durham Hill – southern side, 2 disabled parking places, outside and across Nos.89/91; 11. Ewhurst Road – northern side, outside No.21; 12. Glynde Street – northern side, outside No.1, 2.1m in width; 13. Gosterwood Street – northern side, outside No.90; 14. Hassocks Close – eastern side, outside No.14; 15. Hazel Grove – eastern side, outside No.26; 16. Helvetia Street – eastern side, outside No.13; 17. Holmesley Road – northern side, adjacent to the side of No.18 Stondon Park; 18. Knighton Park Road – eastern side, outside No.49; 19. Lamerock Road – southern side, from the north-eastern property boundary of No.2 to 26; 20. Launcelot Road – southern side, outside No.27, 1.9m in width; 21. Malpas Road – 2 disabled parking places, outside No.17 (western side) and No.75 (northern side); 22. Manor Avenue – eastern side, outside No.11; 23. Moorside Road – northern side, outside Nos.58/60; 24. Parbury Road – southern side, outside No.53; 25. Pendragon Road – northern side, from the south-western property boundary of No.97 to 107; 26. Phoebeth Road –eastern side, outside No.9; 27. Ravensbourne Road – southern side, outside No.67; 28. Rayford Avenue – western side, outside No.16; 29. Ronver Road – northern side, outside and across Nos.28/30; 30. Southend Lane – northern side, 3 disabled parking places, outside No.127 (2.1m in width) and outside and across Nos.36/38 (2.2m in width); 31. Tatnell Road – northern side, outside No.16; 32. Thornsbeach Road – eastern side, outside No.143; 33. Ticehurst Road – southern side, outside No.40; 34. Ticehurst Road – western side, outside No.6; 35. Verdant Lane – eastern side, outside No.48; 36. Waters Road – southern side, 2 disabled parking places outside and across Nos.40-44; 37. Wearside Road – southern side, outside No.41; and 38. Whitefoot Lane – southern side, outside No.233, 2.7m in width. Schedule 2
1. Waters Road – southern side, outside No.42, 3m in length; 2. Allerford Road – eastern side, between Southend Lane and a point 10m northwards; 3. Southend Lane – northern side, between Allerford Road and a point 25.5m eastwards;
4. Hassocks Close – eastern side, between outside No.18 and a point opposite the southern kerb-line of the east to west arm of Hassocks Close (adjacent to No.8).
Dated 5 September 2025.
LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ORDER
The Lewisham (Off-Street) (Parking Places) (Amendment No.*) Order 202*
Zahur Khan, Director Public Realm, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London SE6 4RU. LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
OF LAMBETH
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON WHITELEY ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that to facilitate Thames Water repair and maintenance works, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth made an Order, the general effect of which will be in Whiteley Road, to ban vehicles from parking, waiting, loading, and unloading outside No. 46 Whiteley Road.
2. The ban will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall, from time to time, be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
3. The Order comes into force on 8 September 2025 and continues for a maximum duration of 1 month or until the works have been completed whichever is the earlier.
Dated 5 September 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
The Council of the London Borough of Lewisham proposes to make the above Traffic Regulation Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended).
PTO 1092
1. The effect of this proposal will be to amend the operational hours of Clarendon Rise Car Park, Molesworth Street Car Park and Slaithwaite Road Car Park from Mondays to Saturdays 8am-6.30pm (maximum stay 10.5 hours) to Mondays to Saturdays (inclusive) between 8am and 7pm and Sundays between 9am and 1.30pm. During these chargeable hours, the maximum period of parking permitted shall be 11 hours on Monday to Saturdays and 4.5 hours on Sundays, however outside these hours parking is unrestricted and free of charge. The charges are as set out in Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 to this Notice.
2. Copies of the draft Order and Statement of the Council’s Reasons for proposing to make the Order may be obtained by emailing a request to trafficorders@lewisham.gov.uk quoting reference ‘PTO-1092’.
3. Comments on the proposals for or against, together with the reasons for which they are made should be sent in writing to trafficorders@lewisham.gov.uk or Lewisham Transport Policy & Development, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London SE6 4RU, quoting reference ‘PTO-1092’ to arrive not later than 21 days from the date of publication of this notice.
4. All written representations received concerning Traffic Regulation Orders are public documents that may be inspected by any person on demand.
Dated: 5 September 2025.
Zahur Khan, Director Public Realm, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London SE6 4RU.
Schedule 1 (Clarendon Rise Car Park and Molesworth Street Car Park – Hourly Charges)
Electric Petrol and Diesel Euro 6 compliant
Bands Band 0Band 1Band 2Band 3Band 4Band 5
Hourly charge
£2.66£3.21£3.65£4.20£4.65£5.43
Diesel Euro 6 non-compliant
Bands Band 1Band 2Band 3Band 4Band 5
Hourly charge
£5.71£6.15£6.70£7.15£7.93
Schedule 2 (Slaithwaite Road Car Park – Hourly Charges)
For Electric (Band 0) The first 2 hours are free of charge subject to the vehicle being registered via the cashless parking provider. Thereafter, parking for Band 0 is charged at £1.66 per hour.
Petrol and Diesel Euro 6 compliant
Bands Band 1Band 2Band 3Band 4Band 5 Hourly charge
£2.66£3.21£3.65£4.20£4.65
Diesel Euro 6 non-compliant
Bands Band 1Band 2Band 3Band 4Band 5 Hourly charge
£5.71£6.15£6.70£7.15£7.93
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON CORNWALL ROAD AND SANDELL STREET.
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that to facilitate the operation of a crane, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth made an Order, the general effect of which will be in: (1) Cornwall Road to ban vehicles from entering, parking, waiting, loading, and unloading between the junction of The Cut and the northern entrance to the bus garage. (2) Sandell Street, to suspend one-way working and introduce two-way working.
2. Alternative routes for affected vehicles will be available via (a) Cornwall Road, Sandell Street and Waterloo Road; (b) The Cut and Waterloo Road.
3. The bans will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall, from time to time, be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
4. The Order comes into force on 8 September 2025 and continues for a maximum duration of 1 month, or until the works have been completed whichever is sooner. In practice the works are expected to take place between 8.30pm on 8 September 2025 and 5am on 13 September 2025 but if the works cannot be completed or carried out during that time the Order would also have effect at a subsequent time within the maximum period of 1 month.
Dated 5 September 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS AND SUSPENSION OF A CYCLE LANE - COLDHARBOUR LANE
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable telecommunication repair and maintenance works to be carried out in Coldharbour Lane, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth, intends to make an order the effect of which would be to temporarily suspend the south-bound cycle lane on Coldharbour Lane between the junction of Belinda Road and Shakespeare Road.
2. Alternative routes are not applicable.
3. The suspension of the cycle lane would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing or covering of the appropriate traffic signs.
3. The Order would come into force on 16 September 2025 and would continue for a maximum duration of 1 month or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the Order would only have effect between 10 am and 3 pm on 16 September 2025, but if the works cannot be carried out or be completed during that time then the Order may have effect on a subsequent day or days within the maximum duration of 1 month.
Dated 5 September 2025 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
View all weekly and archive
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS – HITHERFIELD ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable Thames Water to carry out repair and maintenance works, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth intends to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering that length of Hitherfield Road which lies between Leigham Vale and the north western property boundary of No. 51 Leigham Vale.
2. Alternative routes for affected vehicles would be available via Leigham Vale, Stockfield Road, Mount Nod Road, Hitherfield Road and vice versa.
3. The ban would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
4. The Order will come into force on 22 September 2025 and continue in force for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the works would take place on 22 September 2025 between 10am and 2pm, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time then the Order may have effect at subsequent times within the maximum period of 1 month.
Dated 5 September 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS FOR STREATHAM VALE CONTROLLED PARKING ZONE IMPLEMENTATION – VARIOUS ROADS
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
Greenock Road, (xxxii) Greyhound Lane, (xxxiii) Guildersfield Road, (xxxiv) Hambro Road, (xxxv) Hawkhurst Road, (xxxvi) Helmsdale Road, (xxxvii) Hepworth Road, (xxxviii) Kempshott
2. The restrictions would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
3. The order would come into force on 15 September 2025 and would continue for a maximum duration of 3 months (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the earlier.
Dated 5 September 2025 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY PARKING, STOPPING, WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS - WEAVER WALK
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable a crane operation to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth have made an order the effect of which will be to temporarily; a) ban any vehicle from entering, proceeding or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading and unloading a vehicle) at any time, in that length of Weaver Walk which lies between Chapel Road and the northern property boundary of Nos. 2-8 Weaver Walk; b) close the footpath on the western side of Weaver Walk which lies between Chapel Road and the northern property boundary of Nos. 2-8 Weaver Walk.
2. The bans will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
3. The Order will come into force on 12 September 2025 and will continue for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the earlier. In practice it is anticipated that the Order will only have effect on 12 and 13 September 2025, but if the works cannot be completed or carried out during that time the Order will also have effect at subsequent dates and times within the maximum period of 1 month.
Dated 5 September 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE - CASEWICK ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that to enable sewer works on the carriageway to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth with the agreement of Transport of London, have made an order the effect of which will be to:
(a) prohibit vehicles from entering that length of Casewick Road which lies between the common boundary of Nos. 40/42 and 44/46 and the common boundary of Nos. 48/50 and 52/54Casewick Road; (b) prohibit waiting at any time in that length of Casewick Road.
2. Alternative routes for affected vehicles will be available via Thornlaw Road and Lamberhurst Road and vice versa.
3. The ban will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs
4. The Order will come into force on 3 September 2025 and will continue for a maximum duration of 18 months (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the Order will have effect between 3 September 2025 and 11 September 2025 but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time then the Order may have effect at subsequent times within the maximum period of 18 months.
Dated 3 September 2025 David Eaglesham Head of Network Management and Active Travel
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE - ESTREHAM ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable Thames Water maintenance works to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth intends to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering in that length of Estreham Road which lies between the north-eastern wall of Nos. 50 and 51 Estreham Road and Hambro Road.
2. Alternative routes would be available for affected vehicles via (a) Streatham High Road, Kempshott Road, Ellison Road, Guildersfield Road, Streatham High Road and Natal Road; and (b) Estreham Road, Barrow Road, Streatham High Road and Natal Road.
3. The ban would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
4. The Order would come into force on 22 September 2025, for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. In practice, it is anticipated that the works would take place between 22 September 2025 and 23 September 2025 between the hours of 8 pm and 5 am, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time then the Order may have effect at subsequent times within the maximum period of 1 month.
Dated 5 September 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON WEBBER STREET, SHORT STREET AND MITRE ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that to facilitate Thames Water repair and maintenance works, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth made an Order, the general effect of which will
2.
7.
Written representations should be made within three weeks of the date of this advertisement to the Director of Planning, PO Box 734, Winchester SO23 5DG. Any comments made are open to inspection by the public and in the event of an appeal may be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Confidential comments cannot be taken into account in determining an application.
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A2 GLA ROAD (EAST ROCHESTER WAY, THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH AND THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BEXLEY) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC, STOPPING AND 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable highway maintenance works to take place on the A2 East Rochester Way.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from:
(1) entering or proceeding on the westbound carriageway of East Rochester Way between the administrative boundary of the London Borough of Bexley and Kent County Council and its junction with the Unnamed Off Slip Road connecting the north-westbound carriageway of East Rochester Way with Blendon Road and The Drive;
(2) entering or proceeding on the Unnamed On Slip Road connecting Blendon Road to the westbound carriageway of East Rochester Way;
(3) entering or proceeding from the Unnamed Off Slip Road connecting Blendon Road to the westbound carriageway of East Rochester Way;
(4) entering or proceeding on the Unnamed Off Slip Road connecting Southwold Road to the westbound carriageway of East Rochester Way;
(5) entering or proceeding from the Unnamed On Slip Road connecting Southwold Road to the westbound carriageway of East Rochester Way;
(6) exceeding a speed of 40 M.P.H on East Rochester Way between the extended common boundary of Nos. 12 and 13 Lakeside Close, East Rochester Way and the administrative boundary of the London Borough of Bexley and Kent County Council.
Works will be phased such that some restrictions will apply only at certain times.
existing single-glazed timber windows throughout, and rear door, with
heritage timber units to match the style, profile, character, and aesthetic of the existing.
(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 25/01903/LB, but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 25/01902/FUL) 25/01903/LB
144 Lambeth Road London SE1 7DF Erection of a single storey rear extension to replace existing conservatory; works to the existing garden outbuilding including raising the roof and erection of a parapet wall; replacement of roof to existing outrigger and insertion of a new heritage skylight; refurbishment of the kitchen and first floor bathroom; upgrades to the front door; and other associated works.
(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 25/02589/LB, but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 25/02588/FUL) 25/02589/LB
2 -4 The Pavement London SW4 0HY Use of the premises for flexible commercial uses (Use Class E) and as a drinking establishment/wine bar (Sui Generis) including reconfiguration of the two commercial units, the replacement of the shopfront and the new first floor door access to No.4. (Re-consultation due to revised description). 25/01773/FUL
Land At Cancell Road London SW9 6EB Erection of a 5 storey building (plus basement) to provide 159 rooms within co-living accommodation (Sui Generis) with associated amenity and ancillary spaces, parking, landscaping, drainage, ecological enhancements and access. 25/02371/FUL
Granville Arcade Coldharbour Lane London SW9 8PR Application for Listed Building Consent in relation to installation of an internal partition wall and other associated alterations to Units 29, 30 and 31. 25/02552/LB
5-11 Sternhold Avenue London SW2 4PA Demolition of existing single and two-storey buildings with the erection of a part three, part four-storey mixed-use building comprising 1 x 1-bed, 2 x 2-bed residential flats and 2 commercial units. 25/02511/FUL. Dated this Friday 05/09/2025
Rob Bristow Director - Planning, Transport & Sustainability Climate and Inclusive Growth Directorate LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH AMESBURY AVENUE, DAYSBROOK ROAD, DOWNTON AVENUE, EMSWORTH STREET, FAYGATE ROAD, HAILSHAM AVENUE, HILLSIDE ROAD. HITHERFIELD ROAD, KINFAUNS ROAD, KINGSMEAD ROAD, LANERCOST ROAD, LEIGHAM VALE, MOUNT NOD ROAD, PALACE ROAD,
The Order will be effective at certain times between 8.00 AM on 14th September 2025 until 11.59 PM on 31st March 2026 or when those works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs. for westbound trafc from East Rochester Way via, Old Bexley Lane interchange, East Rochester Way, Darenth Interchange, M25 southbound, Swanley Interchange, Sidcup By Pass Road, Sidcup Road, Westhorne Avenue to normal route of Travel. for trafc in a westbound from Black Prince Interchange on slip Road via Bourne Road, East Rochester Way to diversion route above.
Dated this 5th day of September 2025
Andrew Sherry Co-ordination Manager Transport for London
until the end of 6 weeks from the date on which the Orders were made.
6. Any person desiring to question the validity of the Orders or of any provision contained therein on the grounds that it is not within the relevant powers of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or that any of the relevant requirements thereof or of any relevant regulations made thereunder has not been complied with in relation to the Orders may, within 6 weeks of the date on which the Orders were made, make application for the purpose to the High Court.
Dated 5 September 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager SCHEDULE Hillside Road; Palace
INVINCIBLES CLINCH ‘THREE-PEAT’
By ECB Media
OVAL INVINCIBLES made it three titles in a row in The Hundred, overpowering Trent Rockets to win the men’s competition by 26 runs at the weekend.
Sam Billings’ side were much-fancied going into the campaign and they’ve relished their favourites tag, topping the group with six wins out of eight. They continued their dominance in front of 27,912 fans at Lord’s, demonstrating their class to pull off their historic ‘three-peat’. They bucked their own trend by opting to bat first, having generally favoured chasing throughout the competition, and their 168-5 proved far too tall a task for the Rockets.
In a team packed full of stars it was leg-spinner Nathan Sowter who stole the show for the Invincibles, taking three wickets in six balls in Rockets’ chase and all but extinguishing their hopes in seeing off three England internationals in Joe Root, Rehan Ahmed and Tom Banton.
The Rockets never truly recovered, and while Marcus Stoinis threatened a late sixhitting slug-fest to make a game of it, the Invincibles bowling attack was too clever, too varied and too experienced to let him get away.
It was Will Jacks and Jordan Cox who got the Invincibles going – Jacks making 72 and Cox 40 in a stand of 87 that set the game up for the Invincibles. The Rockets lost Lockie Ferguson in the warm-up ahead of the game and were dealt another blow when spinner George Linde had to leave the field with a finger injury –emblematic perhaps of it simply not being their day.
But as frustrated as the Rockets might have felt, the Invincibles were twice as elated to have made it three trophy lifts in three years.
“To win a tournament as hard as The Hundred - it's eight games against the best players in the country - and to go three on the bounce is unbelievable,” Tom Curran said.
“We've had a sensational tournament. The batters have been unbelievable, Sam
Sam Billings’ side
live up to favourites’ tag in front of 27,912 Lord’s attendance
By John Kelly
PARTICIPATING IN the FA Cup for the 100th time, Dulwich Hamlet will remember it for all the wrong reasons after ninth-tier Whitstable Town came from two goals down at half-time to win 3-2 with a goal six minutes into stoppage-time in the first qualifying round at Champion Hill at the weekend.
Dulwich, who are two tiers above their opponents, appeared to be cruising into the second qualifying round after a first-half brace from Luke Wanadio.
The first sign that this perhaps wasn’t going to be as straightforward as the hosts expected came just before the break when
[Curran] has had a great tournament with bat and ball. We set out to try and achieve something special as a group. There’s a small feeling of who knows what happens next year? Are we going to stay together?
We've kept the core of us together for the majority of these five years - we had a target on our back and we've done it. It's a phenomenal achievement by the team, the coaching staff, by everyone.”
Tom’s brother, Sam, added: “It's amazing. We came back to Lord’s for the third final and I was actually very nervous coming here today. You always have you that a little bit of doubt. But I think the squad showed today what a classy team we are and to show that brave decision as well –having bowled first all tournament - to bat first and put runs on the board, it just feels really sweet.
Wanadio was shown a straight red card for kicking out at an opponent.
The Oysters halved the deficit through Dean Grant in the 65th minute and Javaun Splatt made it 2-2 eight minutes later.
It went from bad to worse when Nyren Clunis was sent off within 60 seconds after picking up a second yellow card.
Despite that numerical disadvantage, the hosts had the chance to go ahead again only for goalkeeper Dan Colmer to save substitute Anthony Cook’s penalty. Deep into added-time, Splatt scored his second to stun the home support.
Mark Dacey’s side return to Isthmian League Premier Division action at Champion Hill this Saturday when Welling United are the visitors for a 3pm kick-off.
By Myles Thornton
“We've been together for five years now and we have three trophies – that’s pretty special. You don’t often win three tournaments in a row, and I think you've got to celebrate those moments. We have friends, family, and everyone here tonight, and what a ground to do it at. We’re incredibly happy, I’m a little bit lost for words and tonight's going to be a good night, I'm sure.”
MILLWALL LIONESSES picked up their first win of the L&SERWFL Premier Division season last Sunday afternoon with a composed 3–0 away victory over Newhaven, who continue to search for their opening points after three straight defeats.
Ciara Watling gave the Lionesses a 42nd-minute lead before Mia Lockett added to it just two minutes later.
Kanita Throp completed the scoring in the 94th minute . The home side thought they had
Ban day at the office for
struck first on 31 minutes when the ball hit the back of the net, but celebrations were quickly cut short as the assistant referee flagged for offside.
That proved to be a turning point, with Millwall growing into the game and punishing their hosts before the interval.
Watling broke the deadlock and Lockett scored a quick second to stun the hosts.
Millwall could even afford a missed penalty eight minutes from time but it didn’t cause any late nerves as substitute Throp netted her first goal for the club to complete the scoring.
By John Lewis
A DEPLETED Dulwich side were thoroughly outplayed in their AJ Sports Surrey Cricket Championship Premier Division match at home to Banstead, losing by seven wickets last weekend.
Dulwich elected to bat, but saw two wickets go down in the first two overs. The Banstead bowlers then worked their way through the rest of the batting. Three more wickets fell to the quicks to make it 63-5 off eleven overs. The spinners then put a break on the scoring rate while taking three more wickets to make it 92-8 off 21 Jacob Emler then went on the attack, scoring 13 off nine balls before turning his ankle and having to be helped from the field. The innings closed soon afterwards on 113 after 24.1 overs. Five of the other batsmen had also made double figures, but none had reached 20.
The Banstead innings started in similar fashion when Joe Payne struck in the first over. But an edge to slip by the other opener off Harrison Perry in the second over went down. Arjun Gill, who had scored a century in the first match between the sides, then ensured that there would be no further collapse, making 72 not out off 60 balls. Ahmed Khan took two wickets at the other end but the Dulwich spinners could not exert the same level of control as their opponents. The target was reached off the last ball of the nineteenth over. Dulwich’s final match in the Premier Division this weekend is away to last year’s champions East Molesey, who are currently sixth, but who remarkably are still only eleven points behind the leaders.
The win ends Millwall’s wait for a first victory of the campaign, having opened with a 3–3 draw at Ashford Town, followed by a narrow 2–1 defeat at home to Barking, and a 1–1 stalemate away at Sutton.
For Newhaven, it was another difficult outing. After a heavy 7–2 loss to Dartford on the opening day and a 4–0 defeat at Brentford, this latest setback leaves them without a goal since their season opener and struggling to find their footing. Millwall head to Meadowbank Football Ground to face Dorking Wanderers in the league at 3.30pm this Sunday.
Photo by Tom Dulat (ECB via Getty Images)
Photo by Matt Lewis (ECB via Getty Images)
Sam Billings celebrates victory
Oval Invincibles 168-5 beat Trent Rockets 142-8 by 26 runs
Dulwich 113 (24.1) lost to Bansted 116-3 (19) by seven wickets
Sam Billings of Oval Invincibles and Hollie Armitage of Northern Superchargers lift The Hundred Champions' Trophies
GUEHI-FORCE STORM BREWING
Eagles skipper reportedly furious after Liverpool move blocked
By John Kelly
CRYSTAL PALACE avoided a disastrous transfer deadline day after boss Oliver Glasner threatened to quit - though the fallout after Marc Guehi’s move to Liverpool was blocked by the Eagles could be felt for some time. Glasner, who delivered the first two major trophies in the club’s history, winning the FA Cup in May and the Community Shield last month, was furious after Steve Parish sanctioned the Palace skipper’s proposed £35million move to the Premier League champions, according to multiple reports this week.
As the deal moved closer in the hours before Monday’s 7pm deadline, Parish pulled the plug after Glasner told him he would walk. Glasner had insisted the 25-year-old England international should not be sold without a replacement coming in.
Glasner had already seen his main attacker, Eberechi Eze, leave for Arsenal in a £60million deal late in the window.
Now reports have claimed that Guehi is unhappy after the late drama and could quit as captain.
The transfer was so close to completion that Palace’s media team had made a goodbye video that was subsequently leaked online. It ended
with the words ‘Thank you Skip’. Guehi is set to be out of contact next summer and could sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club from January.
Palace were active on deadline day as they made two signings.
Centre-back and France youth international Jaydee Canvot joined from Ligue 1 side Toulouse on a fouryear deal.
He played 20 times in all competitions last season.
Canvot, 19, was Palace’s fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Walter Benítez, Borna Sosa and Yeremy Pino.
"It’s very exciting. Crystal Palace are
a really good club with a good sporting project,” Canvot said.
"It's a big step because it's the best championship in the world, so I'm excited to start."
Parish said: “Jaydee is an exciting talent whose progress has been on our radar for some time. We are pleased to welcome him to South London.
“His arrival bolsters a squad already brimming with talent and potential, and I look forward to seeing his impact both this season, and in the future, in red and blue."
The Eagles also competed a seasonlong loan deal for Nigerian attacker Christantus Uche from Spanish La Liga side Getafe.
The 22-year-old has already played for his country at senior international level.
Uche made 38 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring four goals and registering seven assists.
“I’m delighted to welcome Christantus to the club – an exciting young talent, who is also a full international,” Parish said.
“Christantus has already shown his capability during his time in Spain and everyone at the club is looking forward to seeing him thrive in South London.”
Uche said: “This moment is unbelievable. I'm very lucky to be here today and this club is a big opportunity for me."
Silva sadness after crazy VAR decision costs youngster dream
By John Kelly
MARCO SILVA said his overriding feeling after the major controversial Video Assistant Referee decision in Fulham’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend was sadness.
Eighteen-year-old Josh King thought he had scored his first senior goal midway through the first half before the VAR, Michael Salisbury, sent on-field referee Rob Jones to the pitch-side monitor to check a potential foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Trevoh Chalobah.
Muniz had attempted to spin away from the Blues defender before accidentally standing on his foot.
Silva waited for Jones after the end of the first half but was restrained in his protests.
The Cottagers had been further infuriated when Joao Pedro put the hosts in front nine minutes into added-time when Jones had indicated eight minutes.
Enzo Maresca’s side added their second after the break when Enzo Fernandez
scored from the penalty spot after Ryan Sessegnon was judged to have handled the ball. Silva also took issue with that as he felt there were Chelsea fouls before it, including when the ball struck the hand of Joao Pedro.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb contacted Fulham a day later and Salisbury was replaced for Liverpool’s game against Arsenal on Sunday as the referees body acknowledged VAR had got the decision for the first goal wrong.
"For someone that loves football, as a manager, former player, as a fan. I feel sad, just that,” Silva said as he refused to be too critical and risk a possible fine and ban.
"It is clear it was a special game for everybody. It is the best competition in the world and I saw my team play outstanding football in the first half, we didn't come here to park the bus.
"So performance-wise, outstanding first half but all the decisions from the VAR, from the referee, had massive impact on the game. And the second half was not at the level I like.
"How you disallow a goal like that is unbelievable. We have meetings with referee and people in charge, we all want to win. VAR is not here to re-referee the game it is to see clear things. It was not something unbelievable to disallow that goal.
"I would prefer not to say something more because I would be punished. I want to be on the touchline in next game, I don't want to be fined.
"But it has been a difficult start to the season with some decisions."
King said: "It's a hard feeling to describe. It was a tough decision. I think it was a perfectly good goal but we just have to pick ourselves up."
"That is the part of being a professional, decisions go against you and you have to bounce back.
"He [Silva] is a really passionate person and that fires us up. We tried to work hard for each other, it was tough take because we deserved more. [Scoring] was one of the best feelings I have felt. Hopefully I can replicate it and it counts next time."
© Keith Gillard
Marc Guehi thought he was on his way to the Premier League champions
Marco Silva ©
By Will Scott
MILLWALL COMPLETED the signing of centre-back Caleb Taylor from West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee, on Friday, August 29.
The 22-year-old signed a long-term deal with the club.
Taylor made his Lions debut against Wrexham the following day, replacing Ryan Leonard in the 82nd minute of the 2-0 loss.
Taylor spent the majority of last season on loan at League One side Wycombe Wanderers, making 39 appearances in all competitions.
"I'm very pleased that we've got Caleb in. It's a very good signing for the club," said Steve Gallen, Director of Football.
"He is someone we've been watching since I've been at the club - and before, as it happens. I had a good look at him in January and I've watched him a few times since.
"He was our number one target all summer with regards to a centre-back. With Japhet [Tanganga]’s departure, we've had to speed this one up - he is 22-years-old, good in the air and good on the ball.
"We hope he is someone we can help develop and move along with the football club."
Taylor first joined the Baggies at the under-10s level, and progressed through the academy before making his first-team debut in a 6-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Second Round on August 25, 2021.
He spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Cheltenham Town in League One, making 49 appearances in all competitions and scoring two goals.
A loan spell at Bolton Wanderers the following February followed, where he would make seven appearances for the Trotters.
He finishes his Baggies career having made 12 appearances for the West Midlands side.
This paper spoke to Express & Star reporter Jonny Drury to find out why West Brom were willing to part ways with an academy product.
WHY WERE WEST BROM WILLING TO PART WITH A TALENTED YOUNGSTER WHO CAME THROUGH THEIR ACADEMY?
"It was a weird one really because he came through the academy, went out to Cheltenham and had a year, then they offered him a long-term contract because they were invested in him and obviously keen on him," Drury said. "He went out on loan to Wycombe last season, then West Brom recalled him in January. He actually scored in the FA Cup against Bournemouth. Then he went back to Wycombe for the rest of the season.
A Long night
By John Kelly
MILLWALL SIGN ‘NUMBER ONE TARGET’ CALEB TAYLOR
Lions snap up West Brom centre-backwith Baggies reporter's view on departure
"He came back in this summer and we kind of thought he would come in, Albion had lost a couple of senior centre-halves, but they've just signed other players. Nat Phillips from Liverpool, an American defender called George Campbell, Krystian Bielik from Birmingham. Yesterday, they signed Chris Mepham from Bournemouth. I know there's been a concerted effort to bring in more senior players and, it was kind of a bit of a shame, really.
"A lot of the fans thought Taylor might get his chance, but he's played a lot of first team football. He's probably played over 100 games in the last two years. This is just me reading between the lines. He probably wanted to go and play football, didn't see his chances too much at Albion.
"West Brom have had to navigate PSR and FP issues and it's probably a good deal for them because he's an academy graduate and they make 100 per cent profit on him.
"So yeah, a bit of a shame really. I know a lot of Albion fans wanted to keep him and maybe break into the first team, but
BROMLEY BEAT Crystal Palace under-21s 4-3 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in their EFL Trophy game at Hayes Lane on Tuesday.
Ben Krauhaus and Deji Elewere twice equalised in the first half for Andy Woodman’s side before Marcus Dingana’s goal after the break was cancelled out by Zach Marsh with two minutes left.
Ravens goalkeeper Sam Long was central to the shootout drama as he stepped up to the first spot-kick but fired over.
Long then saved Marsh’s effort before also denying Palace captain Luke Browne as the hosts claimed the points.
Bromley host Gillingham in a later 5.30pm kick-off at Hayes Lane in League Two on Saturday.
it just hasn't quite gone that way."
TAYLOR SEEMED TO HAVE A CHANCE TO BREAK INTO THE FIRST TEAM WHEN HE WAS RECALLED IN JANUARY, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED THERE?
"I'm not sure really," Drury said. "They had more senior options and they kind of settled on a centre-back pairing and he was probably never going to break in last season. I think it was just other options there and the way that Albion have recruited this summer, he probably doesn't see his chances of breaking in."
WHAT SORT OF QUALITIES SHOULD MILLWALL FANS EXPECT FROM HIM?
"My colleague interviewed him in the summer out in Austria at the pre-season camp, and said he had a really good head on his shoulders and was really impressed by him," Drury said. "He's a tall lad, he is a big boy. He's good in the air.
"The only time he's played the season was in the Carabao Cup against Derby and he was really, really impressive to be honest, comfortable with the ball at his feet, but also like an old fashioned centre-
half, wins his headers and you probably don't see an awful lot of them these days because everyone likes to play the ball on the floor. I would say he's a big unit, strong central defender, but also someone who when he wants to, can play."
IS HE READY TO STEP UP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL AFTER A FEW SEASONS IN LEAGUE ONE?
"I think he's ready for the Championship," Drury said. "That's why it's a good move for him.
"If he wasn't going to get in at Albion, there's probably no point in sticking around this season, being on the bench or maybe getting a late loan move away. It's probably beneficial for him to kick on.
"It's a shame for Albion because they're probably going to lose two of their second academy graduates because it looks like Tom Fellows is going to Southampton as well. So it is a real shame.
"But for him personally, I think it's probably a really good move. He's probably going to come in, and play a lot of games, but I think he's certainly more than ready for the Championship."
Dons are thrashed
By John Kelly
AFC WIMBLEDON were beaten 5-1 by Stevenage in their EFL Trophy clash at Plough Lane on Tuesday evening.
Danilo Orsi scored the only goal for a much-changed Dons side.
Johnnie Jackson’s side are back in League One action on Saturday when they travel to take on Bolton Wanderers.
Wimbledon are twelfth, with three wins and three defeats in six games.
“Our level of performance has been really consistent and good,” Jackson said. “We’ve been competitive in every game and we’ve shown our flexibility – we’ve been a 3-43 but also a 3-5-2 at times. We’ve used the squad wisely and I’ve been impressed with the group.
“We should have more to show for our efforts. In the three games we lost, I don’t thing we should have lost any of them.”
By John Kelly
NATHAN JONES said he had “real faith” in James Bree after signing the defender for a third time.
Defender Bree, 27, has joined Charlton Athletic on a loan deal from Southampton until January. Former Barnsley and Aston Villa defender Bree was brought to Luton Town and then Saints by Jones. Bree made seventeen appearances in the Premier League last season
and has played almost 200 games in the Championship.
Bree was the Addicks’ tenth signing of the summer transfer window.
"I’m really pleased we’ve been able to bring in James,” Jones said.
“It’s a position we’ve been trying to fill for a long time.
“I signed him at Luton and he did wonderfully, and I bought him at Southampton to play in the Premier League. He’s someone I have real faith in.
"It’s a real coup to get a player of his quality, athleticism and pedigree.
The signing of James finishes off a wonderful window where we have added real quality to the squad."
Bree added: "I’m absolutely delighted to get it over the line. It all happened really quickly in the last couple of days once I spoke to the gaffer. I’ve obviously worked with him before and he really got the best out of me.
“I’m looking forward to playing in front of all of the fans."
Johnnie Jackson
© Keith Gillard
Nathan Jones
Caleb Taylor after signing for the Lions
SouthLondonWeekly.
Sport INSIDE
DEADLINE-DAY DRAMA
Millwall complete loan signings of two internationals before window slams shut
By Will Scott
TWO INTERNATIONALS joined Millwall late on deadline day, with Austrian winger Thierno Ballo and Irish midfielder Will Smallbone arriving on seasonlong loans.
The club moved quickly to secure both of their services, negotiating with the Saints throughout the day for Smallbone, while Ballo flew into London the night of Sunday, September 1, completing a medical the next day.
The duo became the Lions’ tenth and eleventh additions of the summer, with the club adding five players in the final week of the window.
Millwall’s need to bring in further additions was exacerbated by an ongoing injury crisis, with the club currently without seven first-team players, including summer signing Alfie Doughty.
The Lions have an option to make Ballo’s deal permanent for an undisclosed fee at the end of his loan
spell.
The 23-year-old right-footed winger earned his first Austria cap in June and spent the previous three seasons plying his trade for Wolfsberger in the Austrian Bundesliga, recording 39 goal contributions in 85 league appearances.
Ballo was previously part of Chelsea's academy, featuring for the Blues' under-21s side in Premier League 2 from 2019 to 2022, before joining the Austrian side following the expiration of his contract.
Millwall director of football, Steve Gallen, told the club's website: “Thierno is a skilful, direct attacking player who loves to take people onfor me, he's very much a natural wide player. While he has played up front at times, that’s not really the reason we’re bringing him in. We’re signing him for his pace, his flair, and the attacking threat he can add to the team - especially with the injuries we've currently got in those areas.
"I’ve been aware of Thierno for a number of years, going back to his
time at Chelsea in their academy and Under-21s. He’s someone I’ve kept an eye on, and when the opportunity came up - especially with our current injury situation - I felt it was a great time to bring him in.
"It’s a season-long loan with options in place for the future, including the possibility of making the move permanent. Fingers crossed he does really well here - we’re excited to have him on board."
Smallbone joins after interest in his services from both Birmingham City and Wrexham, and will add depth to a midfield room that is currently without Casper De Norre and Billy Mitchell.
The 25-year-old came through the Saints' academy and broke into the first team in the 2023-24 campaign, making 43 league appearances and scoring six goals as Southampton were promoted via the play-offs.
Smallbone has thirteen caps for Ireland and previously played under current Millwall boss Alex Neil, joining Stoke City on loan in
the 2022-23 season and starting 38 league games.
"Will is a very good player - an experienced central midfielder with real quality," Gallen told the club's website.
"It's a position we've been looking at throughout the summer, exploring both permanent and loan options to find the right fit.
"The lads who've played in that area have done really well, but with a couple of injuries in midfield, we knew we needed to bring someone in to strengthen that area.
"Will is a current Republic of Ireland international who has played in both the Premier League and The Championship. He's strong, technically good, gets around the pitch and offers that box-to-box presence we were looking for. He ticks a lot of boxes.
"He's actually someone we didn't think would be available, but we stayed patient and were able to bring him in on deadline day. We're really pleased to have him with us."
Webb fesses up after VAR mess
By John Kelly
REFEREES CHIEF Howard
Webb admitted the decision to disallow Fulham’s goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend “wasn’t controversialit was wrong”.
Josh King was denied his first Cottagers goal after VAR Michael Salisbury instructed referee Rob Jones to consult the pitch-side monitor. The goal was disallowed for an innocuous coming-together of Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz and Blues defender Trevoh Chalobah.
The decision has been ridiculed as the worst in the system’s troubled history.
"It wasn't controversial, it was wrong. We've established some principles in terms of how we officiate in the Premier League and how we use VAR," Webb said.
"They sit around a high threshold for penalising contact, aiding the flow, rhythm and tempo of the game. We've also established a high bar for intervention with VAR.
"In this situation, that guidance wasn't followed properly. There was a misjudgement by the officials involved in this situation about how that contact happened between Muniz and Chalobah.
"The officials got super focused on that contact, without looking at the full context of how it happened."
Webb added: "We've done really well in the last eighteen months or so to reduce our involvement, with respect to the referee's call.
"We've seen less interventions in the Premier League than any other major league in Europe, so we need to continue doing that.
"We understand the importance of these decisions. We understand that if we get it wrong like we did on this occasion the impact is significant - and we're always, always striving to do better."
Main: Thierno Ballo
Inset: Will Smallbone
Rodrigo Muniz and Trevoh Chalobah collide