Temporary lifeline for health centre
Temporary lifeline for health centre
But developers still pursue legal action to "take possession"
From the Save Waterloo Health Centre campaign
Plans have been revealed for a temporary replacement for Waterloo Health Centre, on vacant council-owned land next to Iceland in Lower Marsh. The owners of the current health centre, Oslo Holdings, want council permission to redevelop the building and are taking legal action against the NHS practice. Their representative Simon Morgan told the campaign “we are not evicting them” but “trying to get a court to rule that we have the legal right to take possession of the site”.
The temporary centre would include eight consultation rooms, two treatment rooms and administration space on two floors. The main entrance would be down one side, and the street frontage painted with murals. The practice has invited patients to an update tomorrow (Tuesday 23 May) from 5.30-6.30pm at the health centre. Councillors are due to decide on the plans at a meeting in July.
About 800 people have so far signed a petition calling on Oslo to stop their legal action, and for the council and NHS to support the doctors’ aims for expanded space and services in a permanent new centre.
To read about Oslo’s plans click here. For the latest from the health centre, click here. And to join the campaign or sign the petition, click here.
‘Slab’ happy at success of community fundraiser
By SoWN Together reporter
Friday night’s Stop the Slab evening of music and comedy has so far raised £747 for the Save Our South Bank campaign, helping cover the costs of experts for community representation at the government inquiry into plans for 72 Upper Ground.
Opponents nicknamed the proposed new building “the slab” because it is 225% bigger than the former ITV television centre. Following the inquiry, government minister Michael Gove is due to make a decision in August.
The evening was compered by local comedian Ivor Dembina, with performances by fellow comedians Laura Smyth and Spring Day, poetry by Richard Allen and Sam Berkson, music by Amanda Fernandez, Kate Portal and the Coin Street Singers, and the Valentinos band led by Sue Lynch.
Hines meanz planz for new towers at Blackfriars
By SoWN Together reporter
New plans for Blackfriars include the tallest tower yet. Property developers Hines and architects Foster + Partners held an exhibition in recent days to unveil their designs for the land which they call “18 Blackfriars Road”, between Blackfriars Road, Stamford Street, Paris Garden and the garden around Christ Church.
Southwark Council has already given permission for towers there, but after buying the site Hines went back to the drawing board. The tallest of the three redesigned towers, at 199 metres almost 9% higher than before, would be offices. The second tallest would be 273 full market price flats, and the shortest would be 167 “affordable” flats. At ground level there would be a public plaza, a new walkway behind the Mad Hatter pub - which would remain - and a children’s playground.
Hines is inviting comments on the development website and expects to apply for planning permission in June. If approved, building would begin next year and take four to five years.
Support sport - how you can help local lottery bid
From Coin Street Community Builders
Local people are being asked to cast their votes to help win £70,000 for Coin Street’s Sport for Futures in The People’s Projects, a £4 million National Lottery fund. It would engage young people of all ages and abilities in sports, developing new skills and improving their physical and mental wellbeing. To watch a video made by ITV, and to vote before midday on Friday (26 May), click here.
Council ideas to tackle rat running traffic
From Lambeth Council
Lambeth Council has launched a survey on the Commonplace website seeking opinions on traffic restrictions and “parklets” in The Cut, and ideas to cut rat running in Webber Street and Ufford Street - click here for details. The survey closes on Friday 9 June.
A reminder that a new plan to cut the area’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2030 is being launched on Wednesday (24 May) from 4.30-6pm, followed by a reception until 7.30pm, at St John’s Church. Full details and a link to RSVP were in the last SoWN Together - click here to read.
Pride (and prejudice?) in Waterloo
From WeAreWaterloo business association
Can you be LGBT+ and believe in God? For Pride month, WeAreWaterloo is holding a Behind the Scenes panel discussion at St John’s Church on Tuesday 20 June from 6.15-8pm.
The host will be Canon Giles Goddard, vicar of St John’s and a campaigner for equality in the Church of England, and the panel will include Catholic LGBT+ rights campaigner and lecturer Ruby Almeida, Muslim drag queen Asifa Lahore, Oasis Church minister Nathan Jones and Tony Ana, assistant manager at London LGBTQ+ Centre. Tickets cost £5; for full details and to book, click here.
Action! Filming call for younger locals
From BFI South Bank
BFI South Bank is offering free places on summer filmmaking workshops which normally cost £140. Click the links below and enter the relevant promo code before you select tickets to see the free option.
Vacation! (8-11 year olds), 31 July-3 August. Click here - promo code MINIFREE
Ghosts and Ghouls (8-11 year olds), 7-10 August. Click here - promo code MINIFREE
Horror and Suspense (12-16 year olds), 14-17 August. Click here - promo code YOUNGFREE
Film Development and Editing Surgery (12-16 year olds), 21-24 August. Click here - promo code YOUNGFREE
By you, for you, with you… please share your news
Like South Bank & Waterloo Neighbours itself, SoWN Together aims to stitch together the people and organisations which make up our community. If you’re involved with or spot anything you think might be interesting to others, please let us know by emailing news@sowneighbours.org.