Category: News

Beckenham Improvements work update 26th June 2017

Improvement Works update courtesy of F M Conway contractor for the works.

Work for weeks commencing the 26th June 2017.

  • Kerb laying and new paving will commence north from Pierluigis towards Church Avenue. Car parking will be suspended at this location.
  • Strengthening materials will continue to be laid under the new parking bays along The High Street between Rokewood Apartments and Thornton’s Corner.
  • Additional drainage will continue to be installed at Thorntons Corner and new kerbing will be completed.
  • Temporary surfacing will be laid at Thorntons Corner to reopen the pavement and remove the safety barriers.
  • The construction of the new planters on Beckenham Green will continue.

Previous completed works

  • Structural works for the Beckenham Green planters has continued.
  • The crossover to Rokeswood Apartments was completed (1 day earlier than anticipated).
  • Drainage, road strengthening and kerbing has been laid at Thorntons Corner.

Beckenham Place Park 5000 person event License applicantion

Lewisham Council are applying to themselves for a licence to hold music and entertainment events up to 2300 hours in Beckenham Place Park for 5,000 people.  

The application (attached) states that “significant” events will have an “event management plan”, there is no detail as to what will be in the “plan”, particularly with regard to parking, access gates, how numbers will be limited, how noise will be measured and controlled, etc. Our Association will be making representations to request these details be well managed and considerate of local residents.

Comments/representations must be received by 11th July 2017, and should be sent via:

  • email: licensing@lewisham.gov.uk
  • post: Licensing Services, London Borough Of Lewisham, Licensing Authority, Holbeach Office, 9 Holbeach Road, SE6 4TW.

It would be appreciated if you can copy our Association in to any email comments/representations at chairman@coperscope.org.uk

Beckenham Improvements work update 12th June 2017

Improvement Works update courtesy of F M Conway contractor for the works.

Work for weeks commencing the 12th June 2017

Excavation work for new kerbs will be commenced between Pierluigis restaurant and approximately the Beckenham Pharmacy. Parking will be suspended in this area.

The entrance to Rokewood Apartments will be closed to vehicles for a minimum time from 8:00am on Tuesday 20th June through to Thursday 22nd at 16:30pm. Residents and users of this car park are being notified. Alternative parking will be arranged during this time for authorised users. If you do not need to use your car during these dates it can remain in situ.

If you are affected by this and have not contacted FM Conway’s liaison officer Helen McConnell please could you email Beckenham@fmconway.co.uk detailing your address, car make, model and registration number. Alternatively you can call Helen on 07917 518 529

The construction of the new planters on Beckenham Green will continue. The structures have been designed in consultation with the Councils arboriculturalist. Each root will be boxed in a pipe/chamber to protect it with leverage for growth.

Transport for London will continue to carry out modification works to the traffic signals on the corner of Albemarle Road and the High Street.

Previous completed works 

  • Kerbing and paving on Bromley Road has been completed.
  • Foundations for the planters on Beckenham Green have been commenced.
  • Preparation works for new kerb alignment between 106 High Street and 62 High Street Thorntons Corner have been carried out.

Beckenham Improvements work update 30 May 2017

Improvement Works update courtesy of F M Conway contractor for the works.

Work for weeks commencing the 30th May to the 2nd June 2017:

  • Kerbing and paving on Bromley Road will be completed.
  • Work on the planters on Beckenham Green will continue.
  • Preparation works for new kerb alignment between 106 High Street and 62 High Street will be implemented in anticipation of excavation and kerb laying starting the week of the 5th June 2017.
  • It is anticipated that Transport for London will carry out modification works to the traffic signals on the corner of Albemarle Road and the High Street.

Previous completed works

  • New kerbs and paving have been laid on Bromley Road between the Nat West and the Public Halls and between 47-71 High Street.
  • Labour intensive hand digging excavation around the Beckenham Green Plane trees has been completed and temporary root protection introduced.


Beckenham Improvement Work Update 24 Apr 2017

Work for week commencing the 24th April.
· Paving and new kerbs will be laid on both sides of Bromley Road. (It is anticipated that these works will be complete in 2-3 weeks).

· Kerb realignment in front of 47 to 71 High Street will be completed.

· Trial holes for new trees in front of 47 to 71 High Street will be dug.

· The new granite paving on the four corners of the junction will be subject to a thorough jet clean prior to the highway resurfacing.

· The High Street / Albemarle Road / Rectory Road / Southend Road junction will be re-surfaced during the hours of 9pm and 4am on the 24th to the 27th April.

Second week update report

· The pedestrian islands at Beckenham junction have been installed.

· The cobbles at the bottom of the steps adjoining Coppers have been re-laid. Kerb realignment in front of 47 to 71 High Street has been commenced.

· Paving between Beckenham Green and the entrance to St Georges Church was completed before the Easter celebrations.

Beckenham Improvement Work Update 3rd April 2017

Improvement Works Update, Monday 3rd April, courtesy of F M Conway, contractor for the works:

 

Beckenham Improvements work update

Work for the week ahead 

Work on the raised footway between the Nat West and the steps will be completed.

Customers requiring the ATM will have to access this via the steps on the lower section of the High Street.

Works underway outside Kinleigh Estate Agents will be completed by early next week together with the work on the opposite corner adjacent to Beckenham Green. All barriers will be removed at both of these points by early next week.

Work will continue along the section of the High Street between Albemarle Rd and Bromley Rd but will temporarily stop just short of the Church Entrance in preparation for Easter celebrations.

Work to replace the pedestrian refuges at the junction of Rectory Road and High Street will commence as part of the upgrade work, in preparation for resurfacing the road at the end of April.

Work on the lower section of the High Street below the steps next to Coppers will start week beginning 10/4 but residents and retailers affected will be notified in advance to discuss access requirements to the shops and private car park entrances and potential alternative arrangements.

Second week update report

Beckenham Junction works have proceeded in line with expectations. Paving and kerbing work is now almost complete.

The High Street arm of the junction has now been adjusted bringing the approach to the traffic lights back to two lanes, with the traffic light re-sequenced. Traffic queuing has generally been reduced and traffic continues to be able to turn right into Southend Road from Albemarle Road. Work on the Thai Restaurant Corner and around into Rectory Rd has been completed and all barriers have been removed. Work on the raised footway between Coppers Restaurant and the Spa have been completed and the steps reopened.

About the scheme

The scheme is designed to make the town more attractive to visitors and shoppers by day and night. A major objective is to support existing businesses and encourage new businesses to invest in the town centre. The High Street investment improvements will create a more attractive and safer pedestrian environment. Improvements will include new paving and road surfacing, improved and attractive lighting, improved road crossings and bus waiting facilities, better facilities for cyclists and improved amenity spaces including Beckenham Green.

Extensive planning and consultation has been carried out since the scheme was proposed in 2012. The cooperation and input of the Beckenham Business Association and the Copers Cope Resident Association is gratefully acknowledged, with their input key in shaping the nature of the scheme.

Sign up for regular newsletter updates

Businesses and interested residents who want to follow the progress of the work over the next 18 months can sign up for the regular updates that will be sent. Visit www.bromley.gov.uk/beckenhamimprovements to do this where the latest detailed traffic diversions are listed including information about bus routes and a link to TfL’s website www.tfl.gov.uk/BusChanges.

Thank you for your understanding and support

Every effort is being made to minimise disruption and your understanding and support is appreciated in advance if there are unforeseen issues which need to be resolved. If further specific information is needed, please contact Conway’s Helen McConnell who can be contacted, for help and advice. Helen, the Liaison Officer is the scheme contact for businesses and residents. Helen can be contacted on Mobile Tel 07917 518 529 or email Beckenham@fmconway.co.uk if needed.

Review of a Premises Licence Notice – 210 High Street, Beckenham

The premise opened last December as ’Two-Ten’ opened last December at 210 High Street  is described as a restaurant and ‘hookah lounge’. We have been made aware of  complaints from residents and businesses nearby regarding excessive noise late at night and have been in contact with our Councillors. The Council are currently reviewing the license.

Some residents are frustrated by what appears to be a lack of action by the Council as this issue has been going on for many months.  However the Council have assured that they are actively dealing with the issue and that enforcement and legal action can take time as evidence has to be gathered.

As part of the review an unannounced visit was made to 210 High St Beckenham by uniformed police officers and a number of council officers. The purpose was to ascertain if the business was complying with the licence conditions, noise abatement notice and smoking related requirements. A number of issues were identified;  

  • A breach of the noise abatement notice.
  • Offences relating to smoking legislation.
  • Breaches of the licence conditions were found.

These breaches will form part of the licence review due to be heard on 26 April 2017.

Local people can comment on this review in writing/email (Steve.phillips@bromley.gov.uk) no later than 3rd April 2017. Further information can be found online at:

www.bromley.gov.uk/downloads/file/2840/review_of_licence__two_ten_ltd_210_high_street_beckenham_br3_1en

Beckenham Junction Works Update and upcoming Bus Diversions

Works at Beckenham Junction are due to finish tomorrow Sunday 12 March 2017.  Work will then start on Phases’ 1 and 2 of the Town Centre Improvement Project.  This will run from Beckenham Green to Thornton’s Corner, Phase 1 (13 March to 4 June) on the Beckenham Green side of the road and Phase 2 (5 June to 25 August) on the Marks and Spencer side of the road.

During this time the following diversions will be in place travelling South/West bound.

  • Route 54 towards Elmers End – from Southend Road’s junction with Rectory Road, turning right onto Rectory Road, then back to its normal line of route from the War Memorial.
  • Route 162 towards Eltham – from Rectory Road’s junction with Southend Road via Albemarle Road, St George’s Road and Bromley Road back to line of route.
  • Route 227 towards Crystal Palace – from Bromley Road’s Junction with Manor Road, travelling ahead on Manor Road, ahead again on High Street before joining its usual line of route.
  • Route 354 towards Penge – from Southend Road’s junction with Rectory Road, turning right onto Rectory Road, joining its normal line of route at the War Memorial.
  • Route 367 towards West Croydon Bus Station – from Bromley Road’s junction with Manor Road, ahead on Manor Road, ahead again on High Street then back to normal line of route.
  • Route N3.: towards Oxford Circus from Wickham Road’s junction with Manor Road, left onto Manor Road, ahead onto High Street then back to normal line of route.

Routes 194, 358 352 are unaffected.

Two temporary bus stops have been installed:

  • Rectory Road (opposite the tram stop), diverted buses will also use existing bus stop W near Vicarage Drive (used by route 352).
  • St George’s Road (stop Z, near Bromley Road) between March and mid-August 2017 for route 162 towards Eltham only.

Further information can be found on the TfL website, www.tfl.gov.uk/BusChanges

Subway repairs New Beckenham Station – daily closure 9am to 3.30pm starting 20 Feb 2017 for up to 3 weeks.

Network Rail need to complete some essential maintenance within the subway at New Beckenham Railway Station and it will be necessary to close the footpath subway between Park Road and Lennard Road. The footpath will be closed from Monday 20th February 2017 for up to three weeks during off peak times 09:00-15:30, the footpath will be open at all other times, so will not affect the peak travelling times when the station is at its busiest.

Pedestrians will be given an alternative route via Copers Cope Road, Bridge Road, Kings Hall Road in both directions while the subway is closed.

 

Benedict House, Copers Cope Road: Proposal for a Residential Support Centre, February 2017

Two applications are currently being considered by London Borough of Bromley’s planning officers proposing the change of use of Benedict house, a former nursing home, to a Residential Support Centre.

LBB’s Director of Housing has provided a briefing document, below, to answer some of the concerns that have been raised so far:

What is the Proposal?

Benedict House has recently been purchased by developers who are seeking to redevelop the site for high quality apartments. Time is required to prepare for redevelopment meaning that Benedict House is likely to be vacant for up to 2 years.  In the interim the developers have offered the opportunity for the LondonBorough of Bromley to utilise the building for up to 2 years for use as temporary accommodation to help meet its statutory rehousing duties.

Why is the accommodation needed by Bromley for use as temporary accommodation?

The number of households presenting at risk of homelessness has increased steadily in recent years. For the majority, the reason for homelessness is that they are experiencing difficulties in affording the increasing costs of renting or buying a home.  A reduction in new build accommodation, increase in private sector rents and changes within social housing has meant that move on housing options havedecreased and the numbers in temporary accommodation has risen to unprecedented levels. This has meant that to meet the level of housing need the Council has had to utilise costly forms of insecure nightly paid accommodation which frequently falls short of requirements in terms of location and quality.  The use of Benedict House for up to 2 years would provide much needed local temporary accommodation whilst longer term housing solutions are identified.

Who decides which people would be placed into Benedict House?

The Council would retain full control over nominations throughout the periodof use. This means that the Council would decide who is placed into the accommodation and for how long.

Would people be placed from outside of the borough?

No, as the Council controls who is nominated only those households with a local connection with Bromley would be eligible. These would be residents who live and/or have permanent employment within the borough.  Prioirty would be given to those households who currently live, work or have children in schooling near to, or on direct transport links to Copers Cope Road.

What type of People will be placed?

Local people, mainly families or couples, who have become homeless throughno fault of their own and to whom the Council owes a statutory duty to assist in rehousing. A full assessment would be undertaken before any household isnominated and only those households who have been assessed as able to fully maintain a tenancy independently where the need is solely for housing rather than support would be eligible to be placed into Benedict House. The scheme would not be open to those people who are deemed vulnerable requiring intensive support to be able to manage a tenancy because of their vulnerability, such as those with enduring mental health needs. The council has alternative specialist support schemes which provide more intensive support for these people.

Who will manage the schemes?

The scheme would be managed by Omega Mears. They already work with the Council sourcing and managing a number of temporary accommodationunits and have a long track record of successful temporary accommodationand tenancy management. It is proposed that 24 hour on site management is provided. Mears would also provide ongoing advice and support to residentsin partnership with the Council to assist households to secure settled accommodation and ensure that they do not become homeless again. For example helping to access employment for those who may not currently be in full time employment.

Would I be able to contact anyone if I had concerns or queries about the Scheme?

Yes, full contact details of the Mears staff and Council’s housing needs team would be made available to all local residents so that they would be able to make contact should they have any queries or concerns at any point.

What type of tenancies would residents have? Can you guarantee that they would have to leave at the end of the 2 years?

All residents would be signed up to a licence agreement. This is a non-secureagreement meaning that they would not hold any interest in the property or have any rights to remain in the long term. The agreement sets out residents’ responsibilities and the conditions they must meet to be eligible to stay in the accommodation. This includes their conduct and the conduct of any visitors to the scheme. As the agreement is not a ‘protected agreement’ it can be brought to an immediate end should any resident or their visitor breach these rules or the Council require vacant possession. In this way conditions can be actively enforced to ensure that the scheme operate successfully without disturbance or disruption for any other residents in the scheme or local community and can ensure vacant possession at the end of the period of use as temporary accommodation.

To view the applications, and submit your own comments, click on the links below:

16/05442/PLUD

16/05849/FULL1

Remember to include your name and address in any correspondence otherwise your comments will not be registered.

Residential Support Centre / Hostel proposed on Copers Cope Road, January 2017

Applications have been submitted for proposed change of use of a former nursing home on Copers Cope Road to a Residential Support Centre.

Benedict House, on the corner of Park Road, was in use as a nursing home until last year, when it closed following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission which found it to be inadequate (click this link to read article in the Bromley Times last summer).
Omega Mears, a care service provider, proposes to lease the building from the current owner, Spring Capital Management, with the intention of using it as a ‘residential support centre’ to provide ‘accommodation, care and support services’ for ‘homeless families, vulnerable young adults and emergency housing requirements arising from healthcare needs and other issues’.
Two separate applications have been submitted: the first for a certificate of lawful proposed use (as a residential support centre) ; the second for a temporary change of use from a care home to a residential support centre.  We believe  the purpose of the second application is in case the first one is refused.  Both applications are supported by letters from Bromley Council’s Education, Care & Health Services department.
The letters from LBB EC&HS point to the fact, amongst others, that numbers housed in temporary accommodation has more than doubled in the last five years, hence the increasing requirement for facilities such as this, particularly for parents and children who have become homeless through no fault of their own.
No external alterations are proposed to the building and there is no increase in the number of bedrooms from when it was in use as a nursing home.  There are 41 bedrooms in total: 35 double, 5 single and 1 disabled.  30 bedrooms are ensuite.  Omega Mears have submitted a comprehensive Management Plan and the facility will be supervised 24 hours a day.
You can view both applications in full, including the Council letter and Management Plan, and comment on the proposals by clicking the links below:
CCARA has written to the assigned planning officer and ward councillors requesting  that an informal meeting, or drop-in session, is held by council officers and representatives from the service provider, for residents to gain a clearer understanding of the exact proposals and ask questions in order that an assessment can be made of any areas of concern before the application is considered by the Council’s Planning Committee.

Festival of Lights – Beckenham Place Park – 1pm to 4.30 Sun 4 Dec 2016

Come and celebrate Beckenham Place Park at Christmas on the 4th December, with snow fall every 20 minutes (really!), family lantern making, a swing bands, free mince pies, and the switching on of the Mansion House Christmas Tree and lights! Everyone welcome.
13:00-16:00 Music from 12 Drummers Drumming and The Denmark Street Big Band starring Jo Harrop. Snowfall starts every 20 minutes.

14:00-16:00 Lantern making workshop.

16:15 Switching on of the lights and Christmas Tree.

Christmas On The Green and Lights Switch On – Midday to 5pm Sat 3rd Dec 2016

Three weeks to go until Christmas On The Green and Beckenham’s Christmas Light Switch On. The Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association has organised a day packed full of festive fun with lot’s of free activities, including:

  • Olaf (look-a-like) balloon modelling for the kids.
  • Carrot treasure hunt (look out for the golden carrots). More details to follow.
  • Christmas Trail through the town, complete for some gold coins. More details to follow.
  • Christmas Light Switch On and Community Sing-a-long 4.30 to 5pm. The tree lights on the green and Christmas lights throughout the town will be switched on to festive fanfare. Look out for song sheets being passed round for the festive sing-a-long extravaganza.

Plus our produce and craft market, fun fair, and live entertainment throughout the day. Check out our website for more information www.coperscope.org.uk.

Hope to see you there.

Southend Road Beckenham closed from 10am tomorrow Sat 22 Oct 2016 for two weeks

Southend Road Beckenham will be closed from Saturday 22 October at 10am for up to two weeks.

This will allow Thames Water to carry out emergency repairs to a collapsed sewer.
The Council understands that the narrowness of the road, combined with the location of the sewer means that Thames Water’s deep excavation work can only be completed with a road closure.

Thames Water have agreed to work ‘extended hours’ 7 days a week to enable the road to re-open again as soon as possible.

The road will be closed between Brackley Road and Park Road with traffic diverted via Brackley Road, Copers Cope Road in both directions.

Local resident newsletter – Summer 2016 edition of The Express

To find out what is happening in Beckenham check out our most recent newsletter, found around town or online.

If you appreciate the work we do as volunteers passionate about local community please sign up. If you live in a block of flats in Beckenham it only costs £1.50 per flat if the whole block signs up.  Do not delay, support us in supporting you, sign up today.

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