Comments on: Labour, Proud of Lewisham

By: Jim Blackender

Jim Blackender — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:00:16 +0000

dont know how the smiley face got above should have read 2008
see the Excalibur web site
http://www.freewebs.com/jim-blackender/

By: Jim Blackender

Jim Blackender — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:57:04 +0000

My name is Jim Blackender I am a tenant on the Excalibur Prefab Estate Catford SE6 1RP, a very unique Historic Estate,
As tenants we are trying to highlight the difficulties we are having trying to save our historic estate from the bulldozers
The Decent Homes Standard has given councils the golden opportunity to write off vast amounts of housing stock as non decent and transfer their stocks to housing associations who build in its place high density housing estates.
The Excalibur Prefab Estate is the largest of its kind now left in Europe.
Europe values its war time history, we on the estate think it’s time we did too.
Stock Transfer. Whether stock transfer will go ahead on the Excalibur prefab estate will depend on a ballot of the tenants of this estate.
The Ballot is due in April 2008. (Now postponed till Oct 200 But we have been told by Lewisham council (in writing) if we vote yes, the stock will be transferred to London & Quadrant, and the estate will be demolished, and if we vote no to stock transfer, the estate will be put forward for a regeneration scheme, Lewisham council will select a housing association of its choice, and the estate will be demolished, so not really a choice at all is it?
Just a greedy grab for land, what happened to democracy?
A grab for land and a multi- million pound deal will be done
-at the expense of our history.
English Heritage has submitted an application to the
Department of culture media and sports
But things seem to take so long, I worry this estate will be demolished before the DCMS makes it decision.
If the London borough of Lewisham has it way this Historic estate will no longer exist, and in its place will be another inner city housing estate, and another piece of history gone forever.
My point is, I used to be proud of Lewisham, but bullying blackmail and intimidation, by LBL the mayor and L&Q on those who oppose stock transfer is shameful and sick.
And all in the name of housing, sad

By: A

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:54:14 +0000

I like the dog poo stencils. They don’t cause any damage, and they’re an imaginative way of reminding irresponsible dog owners to clean up after themselves. Anything is worth a try to combat the growing problem of dog jobbies.

By: Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:42:28 +0000

Always a possibility James.

By: jameshigham

jameshigham — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:44:08 +0000

…our citizenship ceremonies, our celebration of Lewishams armed forces…

Lewisham is seceding, Andrew?

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:02:50 +0000

Oink lol very funny and i agree they wouldnt put them in a “nicer” area.

By: Lone Ranger

Lone Ranger — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 07:40:15 +0000

Oink: Maybe you could suggest the dogs go for a walk in Brockley, where there is an outbreak of dog poo. At the moment local residents have ben putting up posters.

By the way could it be Banksy works for the council?

By: Lone Ranger

Lone Ranger — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 07:34:07 +0000

How do the values expressed on the website square with the Mayor’s decisions re the Excalibur (prefab) Estate in Downham, where residents wish to retain their properties. The council has told residents they vote for demolishtion or the properties will be forcibily demolished. Granted the Mayor has united the community against his decisions, but I don’t think that’s what they meant on the website.

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/topstories/display.var.1357376.0.residents_calling_for_prefabs_to_be_saved.php

Recently in the New Cross area council residents voted against stock transfer, but it is likely the Mayor will divide the community by working with those who chose stock transfer. In 2000 council residents rejected external management yet that’s what the council went on to introduce by chopping up areas into ‘for’ and ‘against’ or is that divide and rule?

Another example is Forest Hill pools where the public were consulted the Mayor took a decision to refurb and then 2 years later without consultation changes his mind and throws in demolishing another additional historic building and selling off an open space.

Bringing it back to the subject, be it housing, education, hospitals the local council has less influence and seems at odds to expect local people have more involvement. Yes local people can decide at micro level if they want trees and park benches etc but the option to have a community school has been removed.

Regarding Local Assemblies good idea, I understand these are regarded as ‘polictical’ and since March 18th there will be no more till after the London Mayoral election. This means only 2 ward assemlies out of 18 will get their ‘priorities’ on this years council agenda.

Now for the good news, following the raid by police on Benden House, 3 month closure orders on two flats have been granted.

By: Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:35:48 +0000

I’d certainly link to it.

By: Oink

Oink — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:29:07 +0000

I have mentioned it once before, you’re right. They just appall me - I walk past several to get to the station and I just can’t believe they are there. Until now, I had kind of hoped they were ‘vigilatee’ works - I’m astounded that they are actually council approved. I think they’re a real insult to residents.

Sorry, don’t mean to rant. They just get my goat.

Maybe I should pose next to one like you with your shopping trolley… That would make a good blog entry.