Category Archives: Politics

‘Alice in Winterland’ commercial event planned for Southwark Park

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A large-scale commercial event will take over the northern part of Southwark Park between November and early January.

According to the licensing application, “Southwark Park Lantern & Lights Festival is a unique lantern experience themed around Alice in Wonderland. The experience will take place in the Northern section of Southwark Park. Lanterns are being designed around the popular children’s classic, Alice in Wonderland and will include a walk through the story created in lantern format.

“The event has been designed to be interactive using slides and other audio visual effects to explore the lanterns. There will also be food and beverage traders, entertainers on the bandstand and special effects. The event will be ticketed and both pre-sale and on the door tickets will be available.

“The event is created by Things to Do Ltd. Unusual Expo have designed the lanterns and Continental Drifts will manage the event.

“It is likely there will be two bars at the event which will be in two separate areas. There will be on bar at the bandstand area as well as one location on the lights route.”

Autumn drama classes for children and adults at London Bubble

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London Bubble runs classes for 6-8yrs, 9-11yrs, a youth theatre and an adult drama group.
Their new term starts in the week commencing 8 September


Classes held at 5 Elephant Lane, Rotherhithe, SE16 4JD.

Free taster class available at the start of term for new joiners.  Please get in touch to book.

“We come here as individuals but by the end of the term we leave as a family”

Costs per term: £60 (£30 concessions) for children’s classes. £80 (£40 concessions) for adults.

To find out more or book for a taster class, get in touch with Lucy on 020 7237 4434 or [email protected]

Canary Wharf owners object to Canada Water plans

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The owners of the Canary Wharf estate have tabled a formal objection to British Land’s plans for the redevelopment of Canada Water, claiming that not enough transport improvements have been proposed.

A note prepared on behalf of Canary Wharf by consultants Steer notes that the Canada Water scheme is comparable in scale to the Battersea Power Station development, where a £1 billion extension of the Northern line is under construction.

Canary Wharf claims that the Canada Water developers have underestimated the likely demand on the Jubilee line generated by the new homes and offices, and overestimated the available capacity on the tube and at stations.

They suggest that the Bakerloo line extension – currently planned to head to Lewisham via Old Kent Road and New Cross – should be diverted to Canada Water and Canary Wharf.

“In considering the Canada Water Masterplan proposals we would like to remind you of our previous proposal to extend the Bakerloo line from Elephant & Castle to Charlton via Surrey Quays and Canary Wharf,” wrote Canary Wharf Group’s Jason Larkin in his letter to Southwark Council planners.

“This scheme would provide significantly improved public transport capacity to the area around Canada Water and on the Isle of Dogs, and would help the development aspirations of both LBS and London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

“We have also developed a scheme to provide a new link from Canary Wharf to Euston via the City as part of the DfT’s recent call for market-led rail proposals.

“This scheme would also support growth in Southwark by helping relieve congestion on the Jubilee line.”

Last month TfL submitted its comments on the transport implications of the British Land masterplan.

Update Friday 31 August – join statement from British Land and Canary Wharf Group:

“It is not unusual for developers to submit objections to neighbouring schemes and often these are technical in nature and relate to wider issues beyond the narrow confines of the application in question.  This is very much the case with CWG’s approach to the Canada Water Masterplan, where the objections focus predominantly around transport infrastructure for an ever growing East London where there is much demand for more jobs and homes.

“Both parties have been engaged in ongoing discussions, which are continuing (and involve in some cases Transport for London).  In addition the transport consultants for the respective parties are reviewing assumptions in the modelling for Canada Water and the Jubilee Line.

“It is anticipated that a number of issues will be resolved over the coming weeks as those discussions continue and in advance of the application being considered by the London Borough of Southwark later this year.”

  • See all the documents relating to the masterplan planning application at 18/AP/1604.

Bringing Santander Cycles to SE16: funding gap remains

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Plans to bring Transport for London’s Santander Cycles bike hire scheme to Rotherhithe remain stalled due to a funding gap, says the leader of Southwark Council.

Surrey Docks Lib Dem councillor Jane Salmon tabled this question at July’s Council Assembly meeting: “Will the council write to Transport for London (TfL) and commit to pay its share to developing the 40-50 stations required for a Rotherhithe expansion of the Bike Hire Scheme?”

Council leader Peter John replied: “The council has been lobbying Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor to expand the Santander bike hire scheme further in Southwark including to the Rotherhithe peninsular.

“TfL support our ambition to expand but have not committed the funding that is required.

“The council has been working to try and secure third party funding and has already secured developer contributions for cycle docking stations, in addition to our commitment to contribute £2m to fund the expansion.

“This does not meet the level needed so we will continue to look for new ways to secure the money needed and will continue to make the case to City Hall for expansion.

“Alongside this, we have been looking at other models which will enable access to cycle hire throughout the borough, and particularly our ambition to make cycling more accessible for all – not just those who are already experienced cyclists.”

Earlier this year the council allowed dockless cycle hire providers Mobike and Ofo to begin operations in the borough.


Rotherhithe bridge: latest from Mayor

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Sadiq Khan

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has answered a series of written questions about the proposed Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf bridge tabled by Labour London Assembly member Tom Copley.

Tom Copley: I fully support your manifesto commitment to deliver a crossing between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf. A number of logistical issues have been raised with me regarding placing a bridge in that location. Will Transport for London give full consideration to placing the crossing in a tunnel instead?

Sadiq Khan: Transport for London has carried out a number of assessments to explore a variety of crossing options, including a tunnel. This was reported as part of a recent public consultation and further information can be found at: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/rotherhithe-canarywharf/

There is a specific factsheet on options assessment, including a summary of our consideration to placing the crossing in a tunnel:https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/rotherhithe-canarywharf/user_uploads/r2cw—factsheet-2—crossing-options.pdf

Tom Copley: What assessment has Transport for London made of the disadvantages of an opening bridge, which would have to be closed to pedestrians and cyclists while it is open, vs a tunnel between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf?

Sadiq Khan: As described in the response to Mayor’s Question 2018/1913, Transport for London’s assessment of different crossing options was reported as part of the recent consultation. This explained that, while users of a tunnel would not be affected by river vessels, this would be a more expensive option than a bridge and could also have significant environmental impacts on the river.  Further information is provided in the consultation materials.

Tom Copley: What assessment has Transport for London made of the disadvantages of an opening bridge, which would have to be closed to pedestrians and cyclists while it is open, vs a tunnel between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf?

Sadiq Khan: As described in the response to Mayor’s Question 2018/1913, Transport for London’s assessment of different crossing options was reported as part of the recent consultation. This explained that, while users of a tunnel would not be affected by river vessels, this would be a more expensive option than a bridge and could also have significant environmental impacts on the river.  Further information is provided in the consultation materials.

Tom Copley: Has an assessment been made by Transport for London (TfL) comparing the capital cost of an opening bridge vs a tunnel between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf and if not will TfL conduct one?

Sadiq Khan: Yes. An assessment comparing the capital cost of an opening bridge versus a tunnel was presented as part of Transport for London’s recent consultation. Further information can be found in the Background to Consultation Report, published here:

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/rotherhithe-canarywharf/user_uploads/r2cw—background-to-consultation-report.pdf.

Tom Copley: Has an assessment been made by Transport for London (TfL) comparing the capital cost of an opening bridge vs a tunnel between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf and if not will TfL conduct one?

Sadiq Khan: Yes. An assessment comparing the ongoing maintenance cost of an opening bridge vs a tunnel was presented as part of TfL’s recent consultation. Further information can be found in the Background to Consultation Report, published here:

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/rotherhithe-canarywharf/user_uploads/r2cw—background-to-consultation-report.pdf.

Blue Youth Centre: council seeks community organisation

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Southwark Council is looking for a community/voluntary sector organisation to take on the youth centre at The Blue. Details here.

British Land submits Canada Water planning application

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These new images show how Canada Water could look if British Land’s major planning application gets the go-ahead.

 

British Land has entered into a Master Development Agreement with Southwark Council and submitted an outline planning application for the Canada Water Masterplan.

The outline submission also includes a detailed planning application for the project’s first three buildings, which include workspace, homes (of which 35 per cent will be affordable), retail and a new leisure centre. The first three buildings are located on parts of the site which are currently overflow car parks for Surrey Quays Shopping Centre alongside the edge of Canada Water itself, as well as the vacant site at Robert’s Close.

Subject to planning approvals, construction of the first aspects of the masterplan could begin in spring 2019.

The Master Development Agreement provides a framework for delivery of the Masterplan, pools Southwark Council and British Land’s freehold and leasehold interests across the site and allows a new 500-year lease to be drawn down.

This agreement also confirms the local authority’s stake in the project, and their right to invest up to 20% in each forthcoming plot; the agreement also confirms the location of a new leisure centre as part of the proposals.

Roger Madelin, Head of Canada Water Development, British Land, said: “We are delighted to have entered into a Master Development Agreement with Southwark Council and submitted our planning application for the Canada Water Masterplan which marks an important milestone in the delivery of this project.

“Drawing on our experience of creating vibrant, mixed-use places across the capital, this major urban centre at Canada Water will provide an exciting place to live, work and visit, delivering high quality design, active spaces and significant economic and social benefits for the local community.

“We have worked closely with Southwark Council and the local residents of Canada Water to achieve this important first step, and will continue to work with them to enable a truly cultural and diverse neighbourhood for London.”

Cllr Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, said: “It is fantastic to see this project moving forward. British Land have done great work to consult and engage with local people and the resulting Masterplan will deliver what local people want to see, including a guaranteed 35 per cent affordable housing split 70 per cent social rent and 30 per cent shared ownership in the first phase, new retail spaces and job opportunities, education and health facilities and a brand new leisure centre.

“In addition British Land, in conjunction with the council, has committed to a Social Regeneration Charter which will ensure that the lives of existing local residents will be improved by the project which we believe to be a first for a project such as this.

“People will be able to see the proposals and make further comments through the planning procedure, so there is still time to get involved and help create the future of Canada Water.”

The planning application has not yet been ‘validated’ by Southwark Council and the documents should be available on the council’s website in the next few weeks.