Held at The Hob on 22nd October 2014
Welcome
The Chairman,
Michael Abrahams, welcomed the assembled to the AGM, in particular the three
Forest Hill Ward Councilors. Apologies
for absence had been received from Alisa Owens, the Vice Chair and Treasurer,
and from Membership Secretary Belinda Evans, Quetta Kaye, Alona Sheridan and
Jake Twyford.
Michael
introduced local architect, Ed Holloway, who would describe the outcome of the
workshop of local architects and town planners that had considered plans for
the town centre.
Urban Design Workshop
Ed Holloway
said the workshop had drawn on the part implemented Supplementary Planning
Guidance from 2003, Neighbourhood Plans and a useful Street Clutter Report
commissioned by the Ward Assembly. Four
development zones had been identified.
1. The
Station front and London Road: There was potential to develop the
area in front of the main entrance to the station. New trees could be planted symbolizing Forest
Hill, a piazza built and mixed use made of the rest of this important area,
while maintaining drop off access to the station.
2. Perry
Vale and to the east of the Station:
A new crossing over the railway line would link what felt like a separate area
to the rest of the town centre and encourage greater use of the Perry Vale car
park. Also, there was potential for the
north end of Perry Vale to be a pedestrian area with a street market.
3. Dartmouth Road
spaces: Themed public
spaces could be developed, making better use of what was already there.
4. Dartmouth
Road/railway links:
The area to the immediate west of the railway line had seen several new
unconnected developments. Improvements
could be made to the footpath to make this area more accessible on foot and by
bicycle.
A report of
the workshop had been drafted and when completed details would be available on
the Society web site. Many of the ideas
from the workshop could be implemented without major expenditure. With a little more work, the report could be the
basis for a submission from Lewisham for money from the new Greater London
Authority (GLA) High Street Re-generation Fund.
This would be in addition to the Council’s successful bid for £650,000
from Transport for London
to improve the north end of Dartmouth
Road.
In
discussion, the following main points were made:
·
More
use was made of the Perry Vale car park when it was free possibly easing he
pressure on local streets. Options
included lengthening the time parking was free, dividing the car park into pay
and non pay zones and improving the road signs directing cars to the car park.
·
The
idea of a new bridge over the railway line was welcomed.
·
There
was support for better walking and cycle routes and for improved access for the
disabled in the town centre. Crossing
Perry Vale outside the eastern entrance to the station was hazardous.
·
How
could the Horniman
Museum and Park be
integrated better with the town centre?
Options included Horniman style bollards up London Road and signs inspired by items
in the museum’s collection.
·
There
was concern about pollution including on Dartmouth Road. The Society would continue to press for more
hybrid buses to join the new 122 buses. Ward
Councillor, Paul Upex would raise the issue of new buses with Len Duvall, the
GLA member for the Lewisham and Greenwich.
Chairman’s Report
Michael had
prepared a written report, copies of which were available to the meeting. He thanked all who had volunteered. Michael especially thanked Annabel for the
four excellent newsletters published during the past year, to Jake for his
support to the music festival, to Quetta for the success of the planting at the
station and the Edible High Road, to Hilary for organizing the Urban Design
Workshop and to Alisa and Belinda for their contribution to essential
administration.
Michael drew
attention to the consultation regarding Hamilton Lodge, which was earmarked for
the homeless, and also the consultation
regarding the extension of the Bakerloo line. Looking ahead, we should keep the Edible High
Road going but consider new plants perhaps with more colour. Michael closed by encouraging more people to
volunteer with the Society.
Treasurer’s Report
Michael
Abrahams presented the report in Alisa’s absence. The Society has a healthy bank balance and
brought in more than spent in 2013/2014.
Further
details were made available at the meeting and are available to members on
request.
Elections
By way of
introduction, David McKenzie described what it was involved in being a member
of the Executive Committee and its Sub-Committees.
Michael
Abrahams stood aside for the election of Chairman for the coming year. Katrin Klinger proposed Michael as Chairman
and this was seconded by Hilary Satchwell.
Michael agreed to stand again was duly elected as Chairman.
Michael
Abrahams proposed that Alisa Owens be elected as Treasurer, John Firmin as
Secretary and Belinda Evans as Membership Secretary. All were prepared to stand and were duly
elected.
The post of
Communications Officer was left vacant. John Wysocki would however be editing the newsletter.
Existing
members of the Executive Committee were willing to stand again and the
following were duly elected:
Hilary,
Quetta, David, John W, Penelope, Katrin, Alona, Jake, Sheila, Richard, Stefan, Katherine
and Helen.
It was agreed
that Brendan would join the Planning and Development Sub-Committee. Other can join sub-committees at anytime throughout the year, if they desire.
Other Business
In further
discussion the following main points were made:
·
The
platforms at Canada Water Station were overcrowded and dangerous. This had been raised with LONDON OVERGROUND,
who was responsible for the station. The
matter would be taken up by the Transport Sub-Committee.
·
The
London Road
– Dartmouth Road
junction was dangerous for cyclists. The
junction was part of the TFL programme of consideration for 2015-16, when this might
be addressed.
·
In
some locations, new street lamps did not adequately light up the areas beneath
them because of trees.
·
Close
links should continue to be maintained with other local civic societies e.g.
those in Honor Oak and in Sydenham.
The AGM ended
with a vote of thanks from the floor to the officers of the Society and to all
who had served on the Executive Committee and its Sub-Committees during the
past year.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens has announced initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) with a £3.1m grant for a major redevelopment of two of its galleries and an innovative community engagement programme.
