Quango overrules councillors and approves tower

Councillors have expressed disappointment at the decision of the Planning Inspectorate to approve a 23 storey residential tower at 81 Black Prince Road.

The developers took the decision to appeal after councillors rejected the proposal at a planning meeting in February.

Councillors rejected the proposal because of:

• The harm that would be caused to the setting of the World Heritage Site
• Impact on the setting of listed buildings and adjoining conservation areas
• Poor quantity and quality of the proposed amenity space.
• Overbearing impact of the proposed development and the creation of a sense of enclosure.

The inspector argued that:

• Protected views of Parliament would not be affected
• Southbank House is robust enough not be dominated by existing taller buildings surrounding it, and that there would 'be little impact on the settings of either Southbank House or the Vauxhall Gardens Conservation Area'. 'The proposal will break the continuity of scale along the Albert Embankment but will be perceptibly in the background of the Fire Brigade building, and not challenging it'.
• Play and amenity space can be provided off site in the neighbouring Pedlars Park and Lambeth High Street Recreation Ground.
• Flats in 9 Albert Embankment would not be adversely affected by loss of light or outlook.
• 'The surrounding streets are already ‘enclosed’ by buildings and the existing 5/6
  storey building on the site contributes to that feeling of enclosure'. The new building would have 'little material effect on the existing sense of enclosure in surrounding
  streets.'

Councillor Mark Harrison said 'it's a shame that planning rules mean that an unelected quango can overrule the decision taken by councillors. Local people felt this building was too tall and too dense.'

Vote for your preferred project

Lambeth Council is inviting residents to decide how the council spends some of its budget in 2010/11.

As part of the Lambeth Community Action Fund, £250,000 has been allocated to local projects and the local community will choose which ones get the money.

This is the first ever participatory budgeting scheme run by the council. The scheme is called "Your borough, your budget, your choice!".

Participatory budgeting involves local people directly in making decisions on the spending priorities of the council.

"This new initiative will give citizens a greater say on how council funds are allocated to community projects," said Councillor Jim Dickson, Lambeth cabinet member for finance and resources.

"I urge all residents to get involved in deciding which projects are funded - your choice will really make a difference."

The council has shortlisted twelve projects, which have been divided into three bands of £125,000, £75,000 and £50,000. People can vote for one project from each of the three bands. The winning projects will be announced at the end of October 2009.

Only Lambeth residents on the electoral register are eligible to vote. Voting takes place between 14 September 2009 and 18 October 2009.

There are several ways to make your choice, including online at www.lambeth.gov.uk/yourchoice, by post using the voting card that you'll find inside the current issue of Lambeth Life or by text to 07786 206 955.

To text vote enter 'Lambeth' followed by the band number and letter of the project you are voting for and then your full name and postcode. For example text: Lambeth 1a, 2d, 3b Sarah Smith SW6 6HT.

Voting ends on Sunday 18 October 2009.

One of the projects in Band C (£50 000) is to replace street signs in Vauxhall and Kennington. The project will involve improvements to street nameplates, street signage and road markings within Vauxhall and Kennington. Where possible, street nameplates will be relocated to locations where they are less likely to be vandalised. Where this is not possible, reinforced anti-vandal coated signage will be installed.

Councillor Mark Harrison said 'I hope as many people in Vauxhall and Kennington will help improve our environment by voting for this project. Vandalised street signs ruin the look of our area.'

Pictured: Mark next to a vandalised street sign in Vauxhall Gardens.

Second consultation on London Fire Brigade site

Developers are holding a second consultation event about their plans for the former headquarters of the London Fire Brigade at 8 Albert Embankment. The site is in three parts - the landmark building on the riverside, a large site between Whitgift Street and Southbank House (pictured), and a small carpark site at the corner of Black Prince Road and Newport Street.

Developers are proposing a mixed use development providing a new fire station, homes, retail and commercial space.

They are holding an exhibition at the Fire Station at the following times:

Thursday 17 September, 4pm - 8pm

Friday 18 September, 3pm - 6pm

Saturday 19 September, 10am - 1pm

You can also share your thoughts or request more information by contacting Azizun Choudhury on:

0870 066 8734

azizun.choudhury@fourcommunications.com

8 Albert Embankment SE1 Consultation, FREEPOST RLSX-KHXT-BGSR, Four Comunications, 48 Leicester Square, WC2H 7FG

Reporting anti-social behaviour

A recent meeting about anti-social behaviour on Lambeth Walk highlighted the fact that people are confused about how to go about reporting it. Ensuring anti-social behaviour is reported is crucial for the authorities to be able to do something about it.

Here are some contacts for various situations:

When a serious crime is being committed always call 999.

To report a non-urgent crime, however minor, call the police's new London-wide number: 0300 123 1212. They will try to deal with the problem as soon as they can. You can also call the Prince's ward Safer Neighbourhoods Team directly on their mobile: 07920 233835 (though they don't run a 24 hour service).

If a neighbour is making a noise overnight that you want to stop, call Lambeth's noise patrol: 020 7926 5999. They operate from 9pm to 3am Sunday to Thursday, and 10pm to 5am on Friday and Saturday. During normal office hours you can also report noise: 020 7926 5999.

To find a permanent solution to anti-social behaviour it's best to keep a diary of the incidents and report every incident to the relevant authority. They can then take action:

Lambeth Living Estates (eg Vauxhall Gardens, Whitgift, Ethelred Towers, Cotton Gardens, Kennings Way, Penwith Manor): 020 7926 6000

Ethelred TMO: 020 7926 8361

Cottington Close TMO: 020 7926 8105

Peabody Trust (eg Lupino Court): 0800 022 4040

London & Quadrant (eg Newquay House, Cornwall Square): 0844 406 9000

For private properties call Lambeth Council's anti-social behaviour unit: 020 7926 4000

Ethelred Fun Day 2009

Children enjoy the merry-go-round and slide

Board members Anne-Marie and Pearl

North Lambeth's new curate David Longe meets new Estate Director Paul Reeves

Ethelred Estate benefits from major environmental investment

Work has begun on improvements to footpaths in and around the Ethelred Estate, that are part of a £3.5 million programme of investment from Lambeth Council.

Footpaths on Lollard Street (pictured), Black Prince Road, Old Paradise Street, and throughout the estate will be replaced, and new trees will be planted.

The work is part of Lambeth's 'Better Neighbourhoods' programme.

Report from Val Shawcross

Lambeth's London Assembly Member Val Shawcross has published her annual report

It contains details of Val's recent campaigning on the South London line, buses, and dangerous dogs.

RESIDENTS MEETING - Pory House and Lupino Court

Wednesday 19 August at 7pm

In Pory Hall, first floor above the shops on Lambeth Walk (ring the ground floor outside buzzer for access).

Last Friday's stabbing incident/anti-social behaviour at Lupino Court.

As you will know, last Friday there was a serious stabbing incident involving youths from the flats in Lupino Court.

Please come and meet other concerned residents, and talk to representatives from Peabody, Ethelred TMO and the local police, to discuss what needs to happen next.

We are extremely lucky that what happened did not lead to a murder. We need to make sure that this never happens. Come and tell your community representatives what you think needs to happen now, and find out how we can put an end to the anti-social behaviour at Lupino Court once and for all.

The following people will be there:
Claudius Opadiran - Peabody Neighbourhood Manager
Gudrun Burnet - Peabody Community Safety Team Leader
Judith Ihonor - Peabody Community Safety Officer/ Community Safety Team
Julie Fulgence - Ethelred TMO Estate Services Manager
Patricia Bogues - Ethelred TMO Senior Housing officer
Mark Harrison - Lambeth councillor for Prince's ward
Police officers from Prince's ward Safer Neighbourhood Team

Vauxhall Gardens Allotments Association meeting

The Vauxhall Gardens Allotments, at the corner of Glasshouse Walk and Tyers Street, have provided a place for residents of the Vauxhall Gardens Estate to grow vegetables for decades.

A meeting has been called to relaunch the Association which runs the allotments. New committee members are needed, and the rules governing the allotments need to be properly established.

The meeting will be held from 7pm - 8:30pm on Wednesday 12 August, at Vauxhall Christian Centre, 105 Tyers St, London, SE11 5HS

Six Lambeth parks win Green Flags

Two local parks popular with residents of SE11 have joined four others in Lambeth to be awarded the prestigious Green Flag award.

Vauxhall Park (South Lambeth Road) retained its Green Flag, and Archbishops Park (Lambeth Road) won a Green Flag for the first time.

The Green Flag Award recognises parks which manage to meet exacting national standards of safety, cleanliness and attractiveness.

Recognition for North Lambeth's parks is unlikely to end here. The Friends of Kennington Park are hopeful that they will achieve Green Flag status next year. And Vauxhall Spring Gardens has dramatic improvement works planned over the coming years, which should make it a strong contender for the award.

Update on ward purse projects

Earlier in the year councillors in Prince's ward selected several projects to benefit from funding from the 'ward purse' - a special fund from Lambeth Council.

Here's an update on the projects:

Archbishop Sumner Primary School Eco Garden
The Friends of Archbishop Sumner School applied to erect a greenhouse in their eco-garden, at the corner of Kennington Road and Reedworth Street. The greenhouse has now been erected, and pupils at the school are making use of the growing facilities there.

Tree of Hope
A project to light up a tree as a symbol of hope against violent crime in the area. After many travails, notably with TfL, the lights have now finally been installed. They are expecting their electrical inspection and certificate on Monday 27th June. However, a formal “switch on” will take place, probably in September, when the evenings become darker.

Creative Sparkworks
A project providing art, craft & media activities at their workshop in the Lilian Baylis Old School for which it needed running water, electrical work for heating and kiln installation. This Ward Purse project is complete.

ArtsLav
A “reserve” project, to make four rather than the allowed three in Prince’s Ward. The long term plan is to convert a disused Victorian gentlemen’s convenience into an arts centre. The Ward Purse funding was for initial security works, so that further work could proceed without fear of theft of items for architectural salvage. As a reserve project, this commenced somewhat later than the others, so is a little further behind the others and only received the funding mid June.

Pictured: Councillor Mark Harrison outside the Kennington Cross toilets earmarked to become the 'ArtsLav project.

Labour action at the Lambeth Country Show

Around 100 000 people passed through Brockwell Park last weekend for the 35th Lambeth Country Show.

The show had everything from jousting to vegetables, from fun fairs to sheep shearing.

On Sunday Labour councillors lent a hand by running a litter pick, spending an hour sweeping the park to remove litter and debris.

Pictured: volunteers Raphael, Mark, Lorna, Pete and Tina, in front of the Labour party book stall.

Lambeth Country Show - this weekend!

London's biggest free outdoor festival, the Lambeth Country Show, will once again be held in Brockwell Park on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July. This free event is not one to be missed!

Throughout the weekend Brockwell Park will be filled with a wide variety of music and entertainment - see this year's programme. There will be arts and craft available to buy and try, trade stalls and horticulture competitions. With hands-on activities for children and adults to enjoy with live animals from farmyard breeds to more exotic species, as well as brass bands, storytelling and a funfair, there’s something for everyone.

The festivities begin at 11am on Saturday 18 July when the array of vibrant stalls and marquees will be open for business. With an emphasis on home grown talent a variety of cherry-picked local artists will play on the main stage filling the air with music throughout the weekend.

You can see the full programme of events here.

So make sure to hop on the number 3 bus to Brockwell Park sometime over the weekend!

Pictured: An entry to last year's vegetable animal competition

Controlled Drinking Zone for Lambeth?

Lambeth council is consulting on the introduction of a Controlled Drinking Zone (CDZ) for all public spaces in the borough and are seeking your views.

Councils can introduce CDZs as a way of dealing with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. The introduction of CDZs allows police to confiscate alcohol in public areas within the designated zones. CDZs are not a ban on public drinking, but are intended to give police additional powers to respond to alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

The consultation process will inform the council’s decision as to whether such powers should be applied to all public spaces or whether any smaller areas should be designated.

Below are some frequently asked questions about CDZ’s. Details of how you can take part in the consultation are near the end of the text. Please comment by 31st of July 2009.

Proposed borough-wide Controlled Drinking Zone for Lambeth

All the below information is also available at: www.lambeth.gov.uk/cdzconsultation
Information and consultation details

1. What is a controlled drinking zone (CDZ)?
A CDZ is a designated public area in which police have powers to confiscate alcohol or require a person to stop drinking. A CDZ is not a ban and does not make drinking alcohol in public an offence, unless instructed not to by an officer.

2. How do I make a comment?
You can take part in the consultation and give your views in a number of ways:
-By completing the online survey by visiting the council’s website at www.lambeth.gov.uk/cdzconsultation
-By email: you can email your views and comments to CDZ@Lambeth.gov.uk
-Or in writing: pleas send your comments to:
FREEPOST RSBX-XHJA-RJLJ
CDZ Consultation
London Borough of Lambeth
LONDON
SW9 9SL

3. Why is the council considering introducing a borough-wide CDZ?
Alcohol related crime and disorder has been identified in locations across the borough. The Waterloo area was made a CDZ in 2003 and has been used to help address alcohol related disorder. However evaluations of other CDZs and enforcement measures have shown smaller zones commonly result in moving problems into nearby areas. We are therefore consulting on a borough-wide CDZ due to the impact of alcohol related anti social behaviour and the effects of enforcement on surrounding areas.

4. What is a public place?
For the purposes of the CDZ a “public place” is any place to which the public have access, whether by payment or otherwise with “express or implied permission”. Relevant public spaces could include streets, parks and open spaces. However private land such as a supermarket car park could be considered a public space by implied permission.

5. What powers would the police have?
The police would have the power to require a person within the CDZ not to drink alcohol in that place or to surrender any alcohol or alcohol containers in their possession. The police will be entitled to dispose of surrendered alcohol or alcohol containers in any way they consider appropriate. No paperwork or notices would be required to enforce the powers.

6. Would there be any extra policing to enforce a CDZ?
No, there will be no extra resources for police to enforce the CDZ. However each ward has its own police Safer Neighbourhood Team who patrol regularly and respond to key issues in their ward as identified by local ward panels.

7. Would it mean that drinking alcohol in public would be banned?
No, it would not be an offence to drink alcohol in a designated public place, but failure to comply with an officer’s request could result in arrest and/or a fine. The powers would be used to target anti-social drinking so the powers may not be used where someone is not causing or likely to cause anti-social behaviour.

8. Which law allows the council to introduce a CDZ?
Section 12 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 provides the police and local authority with the powers to set up ‘Designated Public Places Orders (DPPOs), but local authorities typically use more self-explanatory terms such as ‘Controlled Drinking Zones’ or ‘Alcohol Control Areas’. These all refer to the same powers and there is no legislation that bans drinking in public places.

9. Who are the council required to consult?
In addition to the notice in local press, the council are required to consult with:
• the Chief Police Officer for the area in which the public place is situated
• the Chief Police Officer and local authority of the neighbouring boroughs affected by the designation
• the Parish or Community Council for any area near to the public place which they consider may be affected by the designation
• the licensee of any licensed premises in that place which they consider may be affected by the designation
• the owners or occupiers of any land proposed to be identified.

10. Would licensed premises that have tables outside on the pavement be affected?
No, according to the law ‘a place within the curtilage of any licensed premises’ is not a designated public place covered by a CDZ so they would not be affected.

11. Would there be other measures put in place?
In recent years the council has made improvements to many areas around the borough and also taken other measures to address anti-social behaviour in public places. The council works in partnership with many agencies and will continue to do so by offering treatment and support to those with alcohol-related problems.

12. What will happen to my comments?
Your comments will be used to inform the proposal report about the development of any CDZ to be submitted and agreed by a full council committee meeting.
You have the right to withdraw or change your reponse at any time during the consultation period.

The findings of our review which will include an assessment of levels of alcohol related disorder in different areas of the borough, and wider issues of alcohol-related harm may also be used to inform decisions made by council.

When does the consultation period end?
The deadline for your comments is no later than 5.00pm, 31st of July 2009