Monday 15 February 2010

Waldron Health Centre landscaping - epic fail!


I really like the new Waldron Health Centre on Stanley Street, right next to New Cross Station. As a patient I enjoy the clean, shiny facilities and I also like the building, it has a solid warmth to it - and in the right light, it is stunning.

I've been waiting excitedly for the landscaping at the front to be completed, so that I can get a photograph of the finished article in its full glory. Well they haven't removed all of the hoardings yet - I suspect the bit in the corner will be a car park and they are waiting for proper fencing to arrive before they take down the remaining barriers and turn it into a free for all.




That's as maybe, but please someone tell me the nasty, uneven, multi-coloured asphalt effect is a temporary fix while they source some good quality paving or similar? I cannot stand by and let vandalism on this scale go unchallenged!

9 comments:

CarolineLD said...

Oh, I think the wonky striped asphalt sets off the stunted dead trees nicely! (I know winter is actually a good time for transplanting, but have a horrible feeling the snow may have finished these sorry specimens off.)

I don't actually like the building, but was hoping for some attractive landscaping to compensate. Especially after several years' wait...

shipwright's palace said...

you are right to point out the landscaping. Do you remember the half a dozen or so London Plane trees on the site, maybe 50-75 years old a piece? altogether nearly 500 years of tree life. There could be a site assessment where an equivalent "tree life" is given back to an area. If a developer uproots, one hundred year old tree they could plant ten, ten year old trees in the surrounding area.

Gareth Gardner said...

Such a shame that they can't get the finishing touches right. This is a really stunning building - a real gateway to Deptford from New Cross Station - and deserves better!!!

energette said...

This is a great looking new centre. I used the walk in doctors on the first floor. That's up the stairs on your right and directly above the main reception desk. Once at the GP reception I was greeted very nicely by the receptionist and given a simple form to complete, even the pen was supplied! I am very shy about myself and gave the reason for seeing the doctor as "personal" and they were happy with that. Hardly anyone there so 3 minutes later it was my turn. The Doctor was very helpful and issued a NHS prescription on the spot. It was a bit like a private consultation as they don't have access to medical records so you have to fill them in about yourself. The reason I went to the walk in centre was that I can never get an appointment at my local GP. I was expecting to feel a bit guilty when they found out but I needn't have worried as the doctor told me they don't share details with my own GP. I suppose that I could could have chosen a pseudonym if i had wanted to be really private. Overall I was impressed with the neutral ambience of the place and only hope they can brighten it up a bit on the outside with maybe a few plants or additional landscaping.

Cecile said...

What can we say? There are really a lot of places out there that needs landscaping. The building owner should really put some money in it to make the place more attractive and beautiful. What a waste of some space with no decoration or landscaping.

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lanscaping said...

Flat. That's the best word that describe that piece of place. it looks really dull and empty. Some landscaping would do the work.

landscaping said...

This could use some touch of life. Some plants here and there. A bunch of shrubs in the corner and a some Bermuda grass too.

Peter said...

The Waldron Health Centre is now already showing considerable signs of decay and abandonment. Poor design and lack of forethought for the weathering and the inevitable building decay.

The square plot on the corner was going to be built (housing I believe) but they ran out of money.

The current state of the largely dead trees and rampant weeds in the 'courtyard area' is mostly due to the complete neglect after planting. A bucket of water each every week would have kept the newly planted trees alive.

This is very very typical of any 'public' project, they always fail to make allowance for feeding and watering eg trees until they become established.

I have seen this happen time and time again here in Deptford.

BTW - Those clever (expensive) arty lights in the nearby underpass is going to be a trouble for them, three lights are out already!

P.

Anonymous said...

the wonky bit outside belongs to london borough of lewisham so do the trees! no car park at the front.