Greenwich.co.uk

Greenwich news and information

Hilton’s Wharf planning application submitted

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Developers have submitted a planning applicaton for a new development of 85 apartments in Norman Road.

Hilton’s Wharf, next to Deptford Creek, would also include almost 500 sq m of commercial floor space and 3 ‘live work ‘ units. 30 of the new apartments would be classed as affordable homes in the part five / part seven storey building.

If the application is successful, an old warehouse will be demolished to way for the development.

The new apartments are one of two neighbouring developments being proposed in Norman Road. Durkan Estates is the developer behind Hilton’s Wharf and bptw will be separately applying for permission for another 85-apartment development on adjacent land at 30-52 Norman road.

Durkan and bptw showed their plans for both sites to the public earlier this year on a joint consultation website and in a two-day exhibition.

Click here to see the Hilton’s Wharf planning application

Although the application’s Design & Access Statement, and the consultation website both refer to the development as “Hiltons Wharf”, with no apostrophe, the developer has informed Greenwich.co.uk that the actual development name will indeed be “Hilton’s Wharf”, as the site has hitherto been known.

Last month we reported on a proposed new development with 200 apartments at the corner of Norman Road and Greenwich High Road.

Gay charity slams local newspaper’s “homophobic” Star Letter

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A Greenwich charity has slammed the decision by a local newspaper to publish a “homophobic” letter and award it a prize.

The Metro Centre in Norman Road, which provides support services for the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community says that the letter that was given Star Letter status and awarded with a prize in last week’s News Shopper was “appalling”.

The controversial letter (available to read in full here), written by Mrs Fitzsimons from Lewisham, refers to gay people as being “perverted” and goes on to say that “there is no equality today due to everything being biased towards homosexuality”. She suggests that adverts for gay, lesbian and bisexual clubs promote “perversity”.

As author of the paper’s Star Letter, Mrs Fitzsimons was given a free pen from Webster’s Pen Shop.

Marguerite McLaughlin, CEO of the Metro Centre, has written a furious letter to the News Shopper accusing them of trying to create a “tawdry controversy”. She calls the letter a “hate-filled rant against lesbians, gay men and bisexual people”. The charity boss says that the newspaper should give an apology to its gay readership.

Click here to read Marguerite McLaughlin’s letter to the News Shopper’s editor

Ms McLaughlin has also revealed to Greenwich.co.uk that she has ordered all of the charity’s advertising with the newspaper to be suspended until a satisfactory explanation has been provided by the paper’s editor.

Soon after the letter was published in last week’s Greenwich & Lewisham edition of the freesheet, a storm erupted on local blogs (see here, here and here) and on the social networking site, Twitter.

Greenwich councillor, Nigel Fletcher (Conservative, Eltham North) wrote on his blog that the News Shopper had made a “a big error of judgement” and that rewarding the letter’s author with a prize was “inexcusable”.

Despite a barrage of criticism, the News Shopper, based in Petts Wood, insists that the decision to award the letter with Star Letter status and give its author a prize was not an endorsement of the letter’s content.

Restaurant fire closes Trafalgar Road

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Photo taken by @j0annepsi

Traffic came to a stand-still on Tuesday evening as a fire broke out at a restaurant in Trafalgar Road.

Around 20 firefighters and four fire engines attended the blaze at Othello Steak House, 113 Trafalgar Road, near the junction of Lassell Street.

Trafalgar Road was closed to traffic in both directions as firefighters from East Greenwich, Greenwich, Lee Green and Deptford stations got the blaze under control.

There were no injuries and the fire caused damaged to the 1st floor and roof.

Andrew Gibb Memorial vandalised

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The Andrew Gibb Memorial in Blackheath at the junction of Maze Hill and Charlton Way has been struck by vandals.

The memorial, which is opposite the Greenwich Park war memorial and comprises of a water fountain under an impressive eight-sided shelter, was badly damaged in the attack which is believed to have happened sometime on Thursday night.

The stone obelisk has been smashed from its fixings on the fountain and then broken into pieces. I understand that although the panes of glass are smashed frequently, this may be the first time the obelisk has been so badly damaged since the £100,000 refurbishment in 2003.

The damage was spotted by local resident, Mr M Qavi, shortly after 1pm on Friday and quickly reported to the council. He told Greenwich.co.uk “that the Councillors and the Council Officials responded immediately by sending out a team to remove the stone ball and glass shards”.

Ward councillor, Alex Grant, visited the memorial to view the damage for himself on Friday afternoon.

Andrew Gibb was a local ship-repairer who lived at Garthlands in Westcombe Park, as well being a philanthropist and one of the first Aldermen of the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich.  According to the Greenwich Council website, he left £1,200 for the erection of a public water fountain when he died in 1908.

You can see how the Andrew Gibb Memorial looked before the vandalism here and here.

Andrew Gibb memorial Andrew Gibb Memorial

Daily Photo: 27/08/2010 – Ile De Batz

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Thanks to local tweeter, @MillenniumQuay, for allowing me to use this photo of Alcatel Lucent’s submarine cable laying ship, Ile De Batz, which was taken from Millennium Quay you may not be surprised to hear.

The ship was actually in the area as part of a day of activities yesterday to mark Alcatel-Lucent, based in Christchurch Way, receiving Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2010. The award was presented by Colonel Cyril Young.

Read more about Alcatel and its role in making East Greenwich ‘the home of communication’

Greenwich Market campaigners demonstrate against redevelopment

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Greenwich Market Protest

A group of campaigners gathered outside Greenwich Market on Sunday to protest against proposals to redevelop the market.

Car drivers honked their horns in support and a crowd gathered to watch as demonstrators held their “Save Greenwich Market” banner aloft outside the College Approach entrance to the market.

The demonstration organiser, Cllr Maureen O’Mara, was joined by her fellow councillors for the Greenwich West ward, David Grant and Matthew Pennycook, and concerned local residents. Some stall holders and shop owners from inside the market also came out to lend their support.

Plans to redevelop the covered market and add a new boutique hotel were rejected by Greenwich Council last year but could still go ahead after owners, Greenwich Hospital Estate (GHE), appealed the decision.

Cllr Maureen O’Mara commented:

The market is under the threat of complete demolition. GHE want to put a hotel here and I’ve got arguments about that but my whole principle about this is that the market is a much loved part of london. It’s one of London’s jewels and people come here every weekend – they love it and enjoy it. I think what GHE wants to put in its place is just a homogenised view of London.

Edward Dolby from Greenwich Hospital told Greenwich.co.uk that if they do get planning permission, the redeveloped market would retain “essentially the same footprint and character” and that trading would be continuous throughout the redevelopment – expected to take almost two years – because the market would move to a temporary site in Monument Gardens. He added:

The hotel that features in our regeneration plans will be a welcome addition to the town centre and not a threat or competitor to the market – rather it should provide additional custom for our traders.

Campaigners are planning another demonstration to coincide with the start of the Planning Inspector’s inquiry next month at Woolwich Town Hall.

Listen to Cllr Maureen O’Mara speaking to Greenwich.co.uk at Sunday’s protest:
Listen! 		Listen to Cllr David Grant speaking to Greenwich.co.uk at Sunday’s protest:
Listen!

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Councillor Maureen O’Mara being interviewed about the protest.

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Greenwich West councillors – Maureen O’Mara, Matthew Pennycook and David Grant – outside Greenwich Market