Author Archives: SE16.com

Southwark Park stabbing: police launch murder investigation

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Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man in his thirties was stabbed to death in Southwark Park.

Police were called just before 2pm on Wednesday.

Officers, London Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man aged in his thirties suffering from stab injuries.

Despite the efforts of emergency services, the man died at the scene.

His next of kin have now been informed.

A crime scene remains in place.

No arrests have been made.

The Homicide and Major Crime Command is now leading the investigation. The attack occurred at lunchtime and police are urging witnesses and anyone who has information or footage to get in touch.

Anyone with information concerning this fatal stabbing is urged to call police on 101 quoting CAD 3632/31OCT or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.

Canada Water: tower heights cut to protect Tower Bridge views

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British Land has reduced the height of the tallest towers proposed as part of its Canada Water masterplan.

The changes follow criticism from Historic England which warned this summer that “the 162m tower in Plot D would block the silhouette of Tower Bridge’s south bastion in kinetic views along London Bridge, visually competing with its monumental character and reducing its landmark status along the Thames”.

Under the latest plans – submitted to Southwark Council this week – the tallest element of the scheme has been reduced from 162m to 138m, with two other proposed towers also reduced in height.

Roger Madelin, Head of Canada Water Development at British Land, said: “The Canada Water Masterplan is a unique opportunity to deliver a genuinely mixed new urban centre in a unique part of London. It’s essential that we get this right, and we are pleased to be submitting our revised plans to Southwark Council.

“This is an exciting regeneration project for which there is a lot of enthusiasm locally, but we remain committed to listening to the community and responding to concerns. Over the past few months, we have been in a constructive dialogue with Southwark Council and the local community to improve our plans.

We are proud to be submitting an updated application for a project which is just as ambitious, but better responds to feedback that has been received from the local community and others.”

Other changes include alterations to the massing of the proposed office and leisure centre building, and revisions to the housing mix. 

See the full details of the revisions by viewing the documents at planning application 18/AP/1904


Mayor backs Rotherhithe lighting scheme with £20k

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has given a £20,000 boost to plans to light up six historic Rotherhithe buildings with a pledge of City Hall cash to the crowdfunding campaign.

Funding is being sought to examine the technical feasibility of illuminating six historic buildings in time for 2020, the 400th anniversary of the
sailing of the Mayflower from Rotherhithe to the New World.

Now the scheme’s backers have until 17 December to raise the final £8,280. 

The minimum pledge is £2 and backers will only be charged if the target is reached.

Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “All Londoners should feel that they are part of the regeneration of their neighbourhoods and crowdfunding is a really effective way of giving people a stake in their part of the city.

“The Mayor’s Crowdfund London programme empowers Londoners to bring about positive change in their local area and I would encourage people to support these innovative projects.”

Chambers Wharf: Have your say on how supersewer cash should be spent

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Bermondsey residents living near the ‘super sewer’ site at Chambers Wharf are being invited to have their say on how cash from the project should be spend to improve local open spaces and play facilities.

The project area is shown on the image below. The play study covers the whole area whilst the environmental improvements are focused on the Dickens Estate.

“It’s easy to get involved,” said project team member Julia Plumb. “It’s your area, so tell us what you like or don’t like about the play spaces and green areas, and what you’d like to see happen to them.”

The online survey is available until 11 November.

Date set for decision on controversial Southwark Park ‘Alice in Winterland’ event

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Councillors will decide next Tuesday whether or not to grant planning permission for the controversial ‘Alice in Winterland‘ commercial event due to take over part of Southwark Park from November to January.

The scheme is on the agenda for planning sub-committee B on Tuesday 30 October.

In his report to the committee, planning officer Alex Cameron concludes: “Overall, given the temporary nature of the proposal, it is not considered that it would affect the long term openness of Southwark Park and would provide facilities for outdoor recreation. While the development is not strictly an appropriate one on [Metropolitan Open Land], it is acceptable  considering it would be temporary and the benefits to the local community.”

Nearly 500 people have signed a petition opposing the event, but others – including the Friends of Southwark Park – are supportive. 

Full details of the planning application are at 18/AP/2766.

Canada Water Masterplan: City Hall responds

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Earlier this month the Greater London Authority published its initial response to the massive Canada Water masterplan planning application that is currently being considered by the council.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan delegated the decision to his deputy mayor for planning Jules Pipe.

Unsurprisingly British Land’s plans are “strongly supported in strategic planning terms”. 

Equally unsurprisingly, transport issues are one of the main sticking points. 

You can read the 27-page report by GLA planners here.

Crowdfund appeal launched to light up Rotherhithe landmarks for Mayflower 400th anniversary

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Locals are being invited to contribute to a crowdfund appeal for a project that could see some of Rotherhithe’s most significant buildings lit up at night to acknowledge the area’s role in the story of the Mayflower in the run-up to the 400th anniversary commemorations in 2020.

The scheme has been devised by local resident Clare Armstrong and the crowdfunder has been launched by the What’s on in Rotherhithe Group (WORG).

So far, 60 backers have pledged £1,811 towards a £33,770 target.

The minimum pledge is £2 and you will only be charged if the target is reached by 17 December.

The project has already been endorsed by London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon and from Diane Gorvin, the artist responsible for the Salter statues on the riverside.

Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays ticket offices face closure

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A public consultation on plans to shut the ticket offices at Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays Station is currently under way.

The plans have been submitted by Arriva Rail London, the company which runs the London Overground concession for Transport for London.

ARL says that it is proposals include making staff more visible and available at stations, providing assistance and information where it is most needed, and modernising the process for selling tickets to reflect changes in how people are paying for their travel.

As part of this, it is now consulting with rail industry bodies and London TravelWatch about closing ticket offices at 51 stations where there are fewer than 12 ticket sales per hour.


The ticket offices at Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays are already only open for 15 hours a week (weekdays 7am-10am).

London TravelWatch (LTW) is seeking views on the ticket office proposals from passengers and stakeholders on its website until Thursday 11 October 2018 so that they can be taken into account before any decisions are made.

RMT union general secretary Mick Cash said: “I am calling on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to oppose this retrograde plan for wholesale closures in the strongest possible terms. Ticket offices play a crucial role at train stations. 
  
“London needs to welcome its passengers, visitors and tourists not with a machine, but a welcoming and friendly ticket office who can provide a full range of services.

“This is just the latest attack on a properly staffed, safe, secure and accessible railway for all and RMT is determined to halt these plans in their tracks.”