To receive any community announcements or presentations at this meeting. This can include community events or matters of local interest.
Post office, Peckham High Street
The developers are working with Travelodge and the owners of the Post Office site on proposals for a new hotel on the site. The proposals will include new facilities for the post office. As part of the application process the developers would like to carry out a consultation of the proposal with local interest groups and the community council.
Police updates
To receive an update from the police on community safety matters.
Minutes:
Crown Post Office, Peckham High Street
Robert O’Hara, an architect, addressed the meeting on the above. He said he was acting on behalf of the developers who in turn were working with Travelodge and the current owners of the Post Office. He explained the proposals were to provide a new hotel on the post office site. The proposed development would also include new facilities for the post office.
Robert said the developers were consulting the community council and community groups e.g. Peckham Vision and Peckham Society about their plans.
The plan would be to demolish the existing (1960s) post office building and provide a new build on the same location. Subject to planning approval the building works would start in 2017.
In response to questions, regarding the timeline for the development; Robert confirmed that there would be no disruption to the service although he understood that due to the closure of the Rye Lane post office this created a knock-on effect at the post office in Peckham. He acknowledged that the number of serving counters had to be addressed particularly during its busiest times.
Following further questions, Robert responded by stating that the post office had always been a franchise. The hotel would benefit the community because it would create jobs.
People wanted to know how the consultation would be relayed to the local community. Robert said anyone could raise any specific issues or questions through him and representatives from the post office.
The chair thanked Robert for attending the meeting. He agreed to be available for questions during the break.
Police updates
Inspector Alex Ogilvie introduced himself as the new inspector for the wards covered by Peckham and Nunhead. Inspector Ogilvie had been in post for three weeks and was still getting used to some of the issues in the borough.
Inspector Ogilvie reported on the crime statistics for the area and stated there had been increase in robbery offences particularly over the summer months. He said crime of this sort was mostly carried out by people using mopeds – usually from neighbouring boroughs. In light of this, the police decided to increase their patrols.
He mentioned that a recent stop and search incident in Nunhead Green found several individuals were carrying knives. They were subsequently arrested and charged.
In response to questions, each ward would be given an extra dedicated ward officer Inspector Ogilvie confirmed this would happen within the next few weeks. He said this would depend on the demands and what the issues were.
Inspector Ogilvie gave a commitment to write formally to the council about the continued problems at Edwin House. He said he would speak to the night economy team and provide support whenever it was needed.
Peckham Coal line
Lesley Wertheimer briefly spoke about the Peckham Coal line project and its feasibility study. She said the project wanted to hear people’s views on proposals for a safe route from Peckham station to Queens Road.
People were given the opportunity to participate in a short questionnaire and to share their thoughts about the project.
For more information visit: http://peckhamcoalline.org