Dear Burgess Park Objection to Tower Block on MOL Petition Supporter, 

Quick update on progress re the attempted planning application to build a tower block at Southampton Way entrance to Burgess Park. 

Following the council's planning committee unanimously rejecting the planning application last year, the time for an appeal has now elapsed and we are delighted to let you know that no appeal has been made!

We therefore wrote to the council to see if they were going to fulfil their promise to buy the land and integrate it into the park, as has been the plan for decades, if the appeal failed. 

The good news is the council replied saying they were in the process of seeking to do so. A copy of their reply is below. 

You might also like to know the Friends of Burgess Park have set up a new Burgess Park Woodlands Group to improve care of the woods and wildlife in the park, including the woodland by the closed scrapyard. 

You can contact them if you would like to help or volunteer at: https://www.friendsofburgesspark.org.uk/wildlife/woodlands/

or by email at: 

friendsofburgesspark@gmail.com

They are organising woodland maintenance sessions in January/February overseen by Urban Canopy experts. There is a £5 cover charge. Booking can be made here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/burgess-park-woodland-maintenance

When there is any further news or a need to show public support for the land purchase if a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is needed, we will let you know of course. 

Best wishes for a healthy and green 2023 

Yours 

Donnachadh McCarthy 

pp Burgess Park Action Group 

""COUNCIL LEADER'S REPLY : 

Dear Donnachadh

Thank you for your email. The council is fully committed to the acquisition of the scrap yard and its incorporation into Burgess Park. Given the recent planning refusal we have been reviewing our options in achieving this outcome in the most effective way possible.

Given clear statutory guidance that CPO has to be seen as the last resort we have agreed to try and acquire the property by negotiation which would be the quickest way to a resolution.

If those negotiations fail, we will reconsider the use of CPO powers which will probably require a further report to Cabinet.

I hope we can now make some progress by negotiation.

Regards

Cllr Kieron Williams

Leader of Southwark Council

Councillor for Camberwell Green "