Hi Everybody
Many thanks for your help again – after last update, signatures went over the 4,000 mark!
We have more great news, following our last message which told you that Southwark Council’s planning committee unanimously refused the planning permission to build the Apartment Tower at the Southampton Way entrance to the park, on land that is protected part of Burgess Park Metropolitan Open Land.
Latest good news is that the Mayor of London has endorsed that decision and will therefore not call in the decision to refuse planning permission for the tower.
This means that the developer has only one last opportunity.
For up to 6 months after the planning permission was refused in December 2021, they can appeal to the Secretary of State to overturn the decision.
None has been lodged yet - but they have still 4 months left to do so.
If they decide to review the decision, then they will appoint a planning inspector who may hold a public inquiry into the decision or they may do it by paper submissions.
We will let you know as soon as we hear any update about decision not to or to go ahead with appeal.
Thus, PLEASE we still need your help to keep urging your social media friends to sign the petition, especially those who live close to the park in Southwark & Lambeth.
We want to show any inspector that the support for making this land part of the park has very large public support.
The fact that following many of you lobbying our local councillors and the council, excitingly council officers told the planning committee, that should the appeal fail, the council wants to buy the land and finally integrate the 60 year eyesore in the picture into the park, as has been the plan for over 40 years.
For those who would like to help improve and protect the park's precious woodland beside this site and across the park, Friends of Burgess Park plan to have events related to woodlands over 2022.
If you would like to be involved the first meeting is Tuesday 8 March 7pm (Zoom online).
Ideas include – family friendly events, woodlands wildlife habitat action, walks and tree names.
https://www.friendsofburgesspark.org.uk/
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88955241937?pwd=SDZROHZMOE8zcGlGQ1VUQ3A2YjZLdz09#success
Thanks for all your support to date
Donnachadh McCarthy
pp
Burgess Park Action Group "