Now land at the other end of Creekside is being put forward for redevelopment with a public exhibition planned for Wednesday and Thursday this week. Publicity has been quite scant so I thought I'd share it here for those interested in finding out more.
The exhibition will be showing plans for 'an exciting development proposal' for these two bits of land behind and across the road from the Birds Nest Pub. It includes some of the land to the side of the Birds Nest, where the former pizza bus, (and now also former Wunderlust) are located; the yard behind the pub, some of which is under the DLR viaduct, and the old Medina building across the road at number 3.
John Cierach has teamed up with some new mates who have form in creating shipping-container pop-up developments such as Artworks at Elephant & Castle, so expect to see something along those lines on the plans. The site behind the Birds Nest in particular is limited by the presence of the DLR, with restrictions on how high and close to the piers any buildings - temporary or permanent - can be placed.
But what of Deptford Creek's boating community? There are quite a few residential boats with permanent moorings on this section of the water, and the presence of this community is one of the things that contributes to the unique nature of the Creek's conservation status.
When development comes along it's often these parts of community that suffer the harshest penalties or are under greatest pressure to move on and allow a sanitised, characterless environment to be created. The land could certainly be used more productively than it is now, but I want to know what the landowners intend to do to protect and enhance conditions for long-term residents of the creek.
Public Exhibition:
Wednesday 25th January 12-8pm
Thursday 26th January 10-6pm
3 Creekside, SE8 5SA
10 comments:
If it means the good ol community spirit of these poor deptfordians will get broken, the social cleaning can't be soon enough:
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/deptford-riot-mob-of-revellers-attack-police-after-illegal-rave-at-disused-bank-shut-down-a3446261.html
^ that has nothing to do with anyone who would be affected by these proposals, very unlikely people breaking into the bank to throw an illegal rave are local residents - or 'poor deptfordians', those potentially losing their moorings and homes are though, and contribute an awful lot to the long established and important community
I'm guessing a fairly standard block o' flats at the Medina site but can't think what they'll shoehorn under the DLR. surely not residential! A real shame for the existing creek inhabitants. My memory might be failing be but didn't one of those other developers further up want the creek permanently filled for "aesthetic" reasons?
@Anon 18.12 That's true you make a valid point, they are different people and I wouldn't accuse those people to have anything to do with that. The newsitem just sorta highlighted to me what is the general perception of the area to an outsider.
Regarding the moorings I found it always weird though, that while it's not officially allowed it's also not acted upon. So some can just claim their prime London spot for free. There is probably still a picking order and not just anyone can just moor their boat there. (Or can they?) If it were regulated etc. it would avoid confusion and give people who play by the book a chance..
NUmber 3 Creekside won't change much - it's next door at Number 1 that will be built on - possibly a tower - courtesy of Bluecroft Estates who even got given the strip of land to the west of the MOT place by Lewisham Council.
The boaters at number 2 (behind the Birds Nest) have permission from the PLA but must pay rent to Cierach for land access. Cierach wants rid of the present tenants because he can get more rent if he puts his own dormitory barges in there, charging each floating bedsitter (or Air B&Ber) 3 or 4 times as much.
This doesn't include all boaters at Theatre Arm (as the short backwater is known) as others beyond number 4 Creekside have a different landlord (the ex-owner of the Birds Nest). But all boaters in Theatre Arm have been here for years and pay Council Tax like normal residents, plus utilities etc, so they're official residents, a bit like leaseholders.
But we have here a totally dodgy freeholder. He ran down his last company leaving hundreds owing to suppliers and staff (Pizza Bus)...
I almost got involved with Cierach when he was renting out the Medina works. I feel very sorry for those that did. He's inconsistent,
unprofessional, and flies under the ludicrous false flag of pretending to be concerned about the arts. He's concerned about the arts
in exactly the same way every other developer is- to increase the development potential of the land or property they own.
Well said 'Sue and 'Anonymous 19:27'
the boat community gets the boot , thats whats happens , he is trying to get rid of as many boats as possible
Is there a link/contact details for where I could get some more info on this proposal please? I live extremely close by and didn't see anything to publicise it. Anyone would think they don't want the opinions of residents...
@anon 10.11 this question was asked when I was present. We were told that it 'would' be available online somewhere in due course but details were rather sketchy, to say the least. The proposal is essentially for 'interim' use of 3 Creekside as pop-up studios etc and 2 Creekside to be stacked with containers for small businesses, with 'shepherds huts' under the DLR. No residential boats in sight. It's still pre-app stage at the moment.
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