The Society has made an extensive objection to two planning applications by Manaquel, owners of Dorchester Court. Read the full text of our objection.

Dorchester Court, near the top of Herne Hill, is a locally-significant Art Deco-era building. It is Grade II-listed and on the Heritage at Risk register, having being seriously neglected by its owners for many years. The landlord has submitted planning applications to build 16 penthouse flats, along with eight terraced œtownhouses (three storeys high) on the site of the garages.

There is talk in these applications of restoring Dorchester Court to its former glory, but no binding commitment to do so. The long-suffering residents, most of whom would be evicted, are objecting. The Herne Hill Society will also be objecting, not because we do not want to see Dorchester Court restored, but because we strongly oppose the damage that this new development would do to a valued heritage asset and its wider setting, and because, in any case, we do not believe the proposed scheme would achieve the restoration of the building.

The former Dairy on Rosendale Road, once an Express Dairies depot, has been a sorry sight for many years. It ceased to operate as a dairy in 1981 and was later used for storage and gradually fell ever further into decay. The Society, especially through the work of John Brunton, who lives round the corner, has been advocating the need to find a new use for the site and now it looks as if an answer can be found. 

The site has been acquired by North London developers Lipman Properties who will shortly be putting in a planning application for housing on the site. The scheme will retain the characteristic façade of the old dairy dating from 1906, a structure that is locally listed.

From time to time residents and traders contact us about issues that are causing concern. These include noise and disturbance arising from late-night venues or behaviour by neighbours; problems in the street such as potholes, unauthorised parking, graffiti or fly-tipping; breaches of premises licences or planning conditions; unauthorised developments; and public nuisances.

We are always willing to take up such issues with the appropriate agency – usually the police or the local authority. However, it can be much more effective if the people directly affected also report the issue – we are always willing to offer help or advice with this. Unfortunately many are reluctant to do so, either because they do not know how or are concerned about relationships with, for example, neighbours. They may also be worried about the possible impact of breaches of confidentiality. It is our experience that confidentiality is always respected.

What to do

Sometimes it’s possible to resolve a problem by taking the matter up with the person responsible. But on many occasions this may not be practical. Hence the most effective way of getting something done is to report it.

Criminal activity:

In an emergency, always dial 999. To report anti-social behaviour, a crime that has already happened or to tell the police about other issues, dial 101.

Noise and anti-social behaviour:

Lambeth: You can report anti-social behaviour online at hhttp://www.lambeth.gov.uk/report-anti-social-behaviour-form. To report a noise nuisance call 020 7926 6111 during office hours; or 020 7926 5999 between 20:00 and 4:00, Wed -Sun. See http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/pests-noise-and-pollution.

Southwark: If you are being disturbed by noise or other nuisance, ring the 24-hour call centre on 020 7525 5777. Note that the centre is not continuously staffed – see http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/412/noise_problems To re.port anti-social behaviour call Southwark Council’s 24-hour hotline on 020 7525 5777; or report online at https://forms.southwark.gov.uk/ShowForm.asp?fm_fid=802 .

Licensed premises:

Lambeth: To complain to Lambeth about premises that may be in breach of their licence or where licensable activities are going on without a licence, email Lambeth Licensing at licensing@lambeth.gov.uk.

If you wish to comment on a specific Premises Licence application in Lambeth, you can access a copy at https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/business-services-rates-and-licensing/licence-comments/current-licence-applications; and make your comments at https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/forms/comment-on-a-licence-application-form .

Southwark: Contact Southwark Licensing Service at licensing@southwark.gov.uk or telephone 020 7525 2000.

If you wish to comment on a specific Premises Licence application in Southwark, you can access a copy at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp (don’t forget to register the correct type of licence). You can find information on how to comment on a specific application at http://www.2.southwark.gov.uk/info/200063/licences_and_street_trading/856/object_to_an_application.

Planning: For possible breaches of planning conditions:

Lambeth: contact the Planning Enforcement team at planningenforcement@lambeth.gov.uk, or telephone 020 7926 1185.

Southwark: Contact planning.enforcement@southwark.gov.uk, or telephone 020 7525 5403.

Street Problems: To report issues such as potholes, faulty street lights, fly-tipping etc.:

Lambeth: Go to http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/search/content and enter the search term, or telephone 020 7926 9000.

Southwark: Contact environment@southwark.gov.uk, or telephone 020 7525 2000.

 

Full details of the planning application can be found on the Lambeth planning website. You then need to search for 19/04280/FUL. The Metaphorm application has 137 documents, many running to multiple pages.