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A resident’s comments on the velodrome planning application

Here is the letter from Andy Knox of Village Way about the Velodrome. There is also a letter from Roy Fielding of Village Way on the Southwark Web Site. http://planningonline.southwark.gov.uk/DocsOnline/Documents/258829_1.pdf

Comments regarding Planning application for 104 Burbage Road, London SE24 9HE

My property is 12 Village Way, Dulwich SE21 which backs on to the velodrome. I am lodging the following comments.

Yours faithfully

Andy Knox

1. Lighting – I understand that care has been taken to minimise light spillage and that an assurance has been given that light levels outside the immediate area of the track will be equivalent to “bright moonlight”. Assurances on the light levels and related testing should be built into any approval. Residents should be able to see a demonstration of the lighting before the end of the consultation. New or additional tree screening should be provided for those properties in line of the light spillage.

2. Use, timing, noise

Any approval should be conditional upon the site continuing to be used for cycling related activities with a low impact on amenity, together with the following:

a. The site should not be used before 9am and should be cleared by 9pm.

b. Usage of the site at weekends should be limited to a small number of events ( no more than 5) to be pre notified and with appropriate consultation

c. Noise pollution should be managed closely eg to ensure that any pa systems are high quality, focussed on the inner area and be restricted to information-based announcements not ongoing music. There should be no public announcements or use of pacer bikes after 6pm. Measures of noise levels (including pacer bikes) to be put in place and feedback on this issue to be collected after the first 6 months of extended use.

3. Security: A police survey should be undertaken pre any approval to assure on ongoing security given potential increased public access.

4. Parking – I understand that it is not anticipated that track extension times should lead to an increase in traffic and parking onsite. Assurance should be given in any approval on this and that there will be no change to the existing parking arrangements. A road safety survey is advisable.

5. Works noise – if planning permission is forthcoming all works will be carried out subject to the Estate’s usual works conditions (daytime only, no weekends etc)

Our comments to the Council on the Velodrome Planning Application

The Burbage and Turney Road Residents’ Associations have the following reservations:

We have not seen a business plan for the planned increase in usage of the facilities following the addition of a MUGA and floodlighting. This has made it impossible for residents to ascertain accurately the concomitant loss of amenity due to noise, traffic, safety, light pollution and security issues. We can reasonably expect that the facilities will lead to more intensive use of the site ( greater volumes when open compared with present) and more extensive use of the site ( greater hours of opening) and are a foundation for greater development of the site in future.

On this basis we request that the following important concerns from local residents are enshrined in the present proposed planning approval:

1. The site will continue be used for cycling related activities and associated social events, which are considered to have a low impact on amenity.

2. The hours of use of the site will not be extended beyond typical summer usage currently. This is consistent with the stated focus on youth and disability based activities. In particular:

a. The site will be cleared from 9pm onwards with lighting ceased strictly from this time and noise related activities ( PA systems and pacer bikes) ceasing at 7.30pm ;

b. The site will not be open before 8am, with any noise related activities ( PA systems and pacer bikes) strictly forbidden before 9am.

c. Usage of the site at weekends and bank holidays will be limited to a small number of larger events ( no more than 10 ). We strongly request these are pre notified to residents ( as this does not happen at present, to our great frustration).

3. Within these hours of use, noise pollution will be managed considerably more effectively than at present. Specifically we request that the vintage pacer bikes, which produce highly intrusive levels of noise, are replaced by electric versions. We request that the existing PA system is improved considerably so that it is focussed on the main track/MUGA and that it is limited to information-based announcements, not continuous music. We would like measures of noise levels (including pacer bikes) to be put in place and feedback on this issue to be collected after the first year of extended use.

In addition we ask the Planning Committee to consider and account for the following, before proposed planning approval is effected:

1. Access to the site is extremely dangerous at present ( via a single track road, across a pavement used by parents and children on foot and bikes as a major local ‘Safe Route to School’ and with severely limited visibility for those entering and departing). It is our view that this site access cannot safely sustain any increased usage whatsoever, but especially for dark early evenings and for larger weekend events. Limited access causes parking congestion in Burbage Road currently, especially at weekends. A road access and safety survey would be highly advisable and police coordination needs to be planned for larger events.

2. Security for the many householders backing onto this site will be compromised by greater public access, particularly in the darker winter months. The entrance to the site is not supervised and a large amount of open land provides a threat to personal and property safety. A police survey of security risks would be advisable in our view.

3. Existing drainage provision for the site has been assessed by the Southwark Flood Risk Management Team as ineffective. Whilst the current plans are not considered to exacerbate local water run off risk to residents, in our view either the freeholder ( The Dulwich Estate) or the lessee (the HHVT) should be accountable for putting a robust, environmentally friendly infrastructure in place before development takes place. The responsibility needs to be clarified and an acceptable plan be in place.

We draw your attention to the fact that we are relying for our support on the commitments already received – but not yet evidenced – from the HHVT to:

1. Provide an example of the type, size and strength of the lighting to be implemented for all residents before planning consultation ends.

2. Work with residents to implement a voluntary Code of Conduct covering emergency contact points, regular review mechanisms for problems arising and general obligations on behalf of the HHVT and residents. This should be in place before construction work begins and cover the construction process. Such codes already operate successfully between residents and other sports facilities in the area.

3. Provide tree screening for those houses which are directly in the line of spillage from the proposed floodlighting.

The Burbage and Turney Road Residents Associations actively represent the vast majority of the 400 households in these two Roads and have consulted our residents widely and frequently on the proposed developments. We therefore request that our nominated representative speaks on behalf of residents at the Planning Approval meetings for the two planning proposals.

Louise Wood and Susan Badman

Burbage Road Residents’ Association, Turney Road Residents’ Association

2^nd November 2012

We say ‘NO’ to a street noticeboard

Noticeboard in Herne Hill — Type of Notice Board available

THIS THE LETTER WE HAVE SENT TO THE COUNCIL SAYING NO TO A STREET NOTICEBOARD

Dear Andrea, Village Ward Councillors

We are writing to you about the award of Cleaner, Greener, Safer funds to erect a noticeboard at the junction of Turney Road, SE21 and Burbage Road SE24/SE21.

We regret to inform you that after careful consideration by both committees of the noticeboard options we have decided jointly that we no longer wish to proceed with the project and we felt that you should be made aware of this as soon as possible.

Since we first made the decision to bid for a noticeboard, we have made great strides to improve the communications to our residents by ensuring they provide us with an email address either their own or a relative/close friend who can print a copy of our newsletters for them. We have also advertised the services of the Dulwich Helpline and the local library who can assist with getting people online to those who need help, and individual committee members are ensuring that key messages are passed on to our more vulnerable residents. Both roads have received very positive feedback about our email newsletters and residents are keen for us to develop these. We have also created a prototype web site for both roads which we plan to launch shortly. We are starting to use local online message boards like the “West Dulwich Forum”. A further point is that the proposed physical site for the noticeboard at Burbage Circus is no longer considered suitable. There are concerns that the noticeboard would block pedestrian or driver views, will add to street clutter and be a target for vandalism. It has been noted that noticeboards work much better in areas of greater footfall in Herne Hill and Dulwich Village shopping parades.

In the circumstances we do not feel we can justify the deployment of council funds on this project and request that the funds be deployed elsewhere on Village Ward projects.

Andrea – thank you for the time and effort you have put into helping us with the selection, and Councillors – thank you once again for giving our project due consideration, and for all the help and support you give our two roads. We apologise to you all for any inconvenience as a result of this decision.

IF ANYONE HAS COMMENTS ON THIS – PUT THEM BELOW…

TRRA AGM – Saturday 10 November @10am – Alleyns Old Boys Clubhouse

Saturday, 10^th November 2012 at 10.00am – 11.30am

At the Edward Alleyn Club (entrance between 83-85 Burbage Road, SE24)

We would like to invite you to the seventh Annual General Meeting of Turney Road Residents’ Association. Please complete and return the reply slip at the bottom of this letter, or email me at the address below if you are able to come. If you can’t come, but are prepared to offer help, would like other issues discussed or wish to become a committee member or otherwise help then please let us know. We would be delighted to hear from you. We would also like to welcome new neighbours and would be grateful if you could let us know about you to update our records.

1	Report from 2011 AGM
2	Committee report – Chair’s and Treasurer’s reports
3	Election of Officers & Committee
4	Current Issues not covered in agenda items below: Street party 2012 & going forward
5	Crime & Policing Changes in Police organisation Street crime & anti social behaviour
6	Relationship & issues with local Sports Clubs and Grounds Edward Alleyn Club Herne Hill Velodrome (incl current planning application) Southwark Community Sports Trust – Race for Life Event July 2013 Dulwich Sports Club
7	TRRA Communications Joint TRRA / BRRA website Notice board
8	Flood Risk Management
9	Street Environment – Improving the ‘facade of Turney Road’ Flooding risk & Basements / extension development Front gardens & Dulwich Estate rules Car Parking & bicycle usage Signage & lighting Trees & appropriate planting Materials – hard standings, pavements, road surface
10	Links with local organizations Dulwich Society Dulwich Estate Advisory Group (next meeting 13/11/12) Burbage Road Residents’ Association Southwark Council/Dulwich Community Council Herne Hill Forum Dulwich Going Greener
11	AOB

Committee:

Sue Badman, Chair, 109 / Jan Pateman, Street Leader, 107 / Peter Reid, Secretary, 105 / Colin Roberts, 121 / Michael Wilkins, Treasurer, 178 / Nigel Blackman, 88 / Urmi Bapat, Police Liaison/SNP, 123 / John Fraser, 24 / Liz Mahoney, 159

Yours sincerely

Peter Reid (On behalf of the TRRA Committee)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Names: House Number:

Telephone Number: Email address:

I/we are able to attend the meeting. Please add any other comments/offers/information here and overleaf. Please return this to No 105 Turney or email to: peter@prc-europe.com or fax to 0207 274 6010