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CATFOR D CONVERSATIONS WINTER 2019 ISSUE 4

Imagining Back the ’s Bakerloo Everything you need to know about future the Extension. How might change over the PAGE 8 coming decades?

PAGE 2 Winter SE6 Says news Updates from our summer The latest from Team Catford, including engagement events. the new home for Catford Cornucopia.

PAGE 4 PAGE 10

Catford has evolved throughout the decades – what might the future hold?

Lewisham Hippodrome, 135- 137 Rushey Green, Catford, c. 1912 Local History and Archive Centre and Archive History Local Lewisham TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

Imagining Catford’s future The only thing that is constant is change.

How we experience the city is According to the ’s the next two decades. Catford town centre constantly evolving. The buildings we live Transport Strategy, London is predicted to has been identified within an Opportunity in, the ways in which we relax, socialise and grow to 10.8 million by 2041. As a zone 3 Area by the Mayor of London’s draft New travel to work are all being shaped by, and town centre within the city, Catford can no and in recognition of the for, new generations. longer be considered a mere suburb. growing demand, it is hoped phase two of Catford stands on the brink of its the will connect biggest regeneration for generations and it Catford to the tube network for the first is worth reflecting on how the town centre Catford stands time. has developed over the decades. As the population of Catford rises over During the eighteenth century Catford on the brink of its the coming decades, the look and feel of was a small rural settlement – with its the town centre and the streetscape will name supposedly derived from the wildcats biggest regeneration shift. Transportation, public spaces and the that frequented the ‘ford’ over the River community infrastructure will need to be fit Ravensbourne. for generations to serve more people than ever before. Throughout the nineteenth century, Just as 10 years earlier, few would have over 150 National Rail stations opened south Whilst it is difficult to estimate exactly predicted that by 2008 the smartphone of the river, and small rural settlements how the population of Catford will grow, would become a ubiquitous presence and were carved into bustling urban centres as Lewisham as a borough is projected to completely transform our daily lives, it can the rail network developed and London’s have the second highest rate of growth be difficult to predict what the cities of the population grew. of all of London’s inner boroughs over future should and will look like.

Above The changing face of Rushey Green TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

A tale of tall cities

With the high cost of land in the Lewisham Local History and Archive Centre and Archive History Local Lewisham capital and limited availability of suitable Above Eros Cinema, Rushey Green,1959 brownfield sites, one of the ways in which London is responding to the need for a greater number of homes is by building up. The London Tall Buildings Survey 2019 published by New London Architecture found that there were 541 When will the The tastemakers tall buildings in the pipeline across the capital in 2018, with the potential to future arrive? of tomorrow deliver 110,000 new homes. These tall buildings are generally A 2015 survey by the World The regeneration of Catford going up in east (48%) and central (18%) Economic Forum, predicts that by town centre is set to be completed by London, with 11% of these in the pipeline 2025 we will reach significant tipping the mid-2030s and its new buildings for . At this rate the London points on a range of future defining will sit alongside historic parts of the we experience fifteen years from now is technologies. These include having town such as the iconic Broadway likely to be one in which neighbourhoods the ‘first 3D printed car in production’ Theatre, completed around 100 years of tall buildings are commonplace. and ‘10% of people wearing clothes earlier - but what will city life be like? Walking around areas such as connected to the internet’. Although How will we experience home and Peninsula or Nine Elms in gives many of these innovations will travel, and how will our open spaces a real sense of what may become the become part of our everyday lives in be used? norm of urban living in the 2030s. under a decade, they can still seem difficult to believe.

A once in a generation opportunity

What makes Catford town centre a unique, exciting and a once in a generation opportunity is that unlike many regeneration schemes in London, Lewisham Council owns a large amount of the land that is earmarked for change, meaning that the Council can undertake a holistic approach to regeneration and ensure that the Catford of the future works for those who live, work, shop or run a business in Catford today. n

IMAGINING CATFORD’S FUTURE 3 Lewisham Local History and Archive Centre TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

SE6 Says

Throughout the summer, Team Catford spoke with local people about some of the initial plans for the town centre. We held 12 engagement events over 70 hours, and had more than 1,400 face-to-face conversations.

Much of our discussion focused on Catford town centre will remain the Dedicated engagement events have been indicative building heights for homes civic hub of the borough and the framework held in the Civic Suite, Broadway Theatre and to be built in Catford over the coming plan has also provided the opportunity to at Catford Cornucopia – a pop-up engagement decades. This number of new homes will re-evaluate the Council’s civic functions and space previously at 17 Catford Broadway, but accommodate a growing population and consider how local people want them to now open in Catford Shopping Centre. Team meet the Council’s increased demand for integrate with the needs of the community. Catford has also engaged with people at housing, and the architects working with After thousands of in-depth Catford Food Market, Catford Vegan Festival, the Council have drawn up visual scenarios conversations since the initial plans were local school fêtes and community festivals, as of building heights across the town. first presented in May, we have gathered well as the Catford South Assembly and the The plans will see the South Circular a huge amount of valuable feedback from Lewisham Pensioners’ Forum. Road rerouted behind Laurence House to local people. Following are some of the key themes create a larger pedestrianised area in the This feedback will be fed through that emerged from our conversations, town centre and, within this, there are the the framework plan as it is developed by feedback from forms that people filled out options to create a series of smaller, more architects working on behalf of Lewisham at events, and the comments made by visitors secluded spaces or a single large open space. Council. to catfordframework.commonplace.is

4 SE6 SAYS @TeamCatfordse6 TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

New homes

With over 9,000 people on Lewisham’s housing waiting list, we have a unique £ opportunity to build new, affordable homes in Catford town centre, but it is also important to balance the need for Will new homes be Can Catford accommodate new homes for residents of the future affordable? more people? with the priorities of those that live in Catford today. Most people understood the need for new homes in Catford over the coming decades, but there were reservations when it came to tall buildings in the town centre. Whilst it is true that across London there have been sites with tall buildings ? that have been unpopular with local residents, the model that we displayed at Where is the best place How will the regeneration benefit engagement events throughout summer to put tall buildings? people living in Catford now? showed that buildings would ‘step-up’, with lower buildings on the outside of the site and taller building heights towards the centre. Architecturally, this gradual rise in heights feels more integrated with the surrounding buildings and prevents the feeling of tall buildings towering over the area. Ensuring that the new homes built would not price out local people and lead to gentrification was another key concern. How can How do we make 50% of the homes built in Catford town regeneration address taller buildings work centre will be genuinely affordable with the housing crisis? for families? 70% of these homes offered for social rent, ensuring that new homes would be accessible for those who need them.

Traffic, transport and infrastructure

As the population of Catford increases submitted. Future transport improvements network from 2029, providing three times over the course of the framework plan, would enhance existing stations and bus as many trains and a 46% increase in conversations reflected a concern that train routes, to ensure Catford’s transport links capacity (you can read more about this on journeys into would be are prepared for increased demand. page eight). crowded during morning rush hour. Others Concerns around traffic, transport and The Mayor of London’s 2018 Transport were worried about the impact on buses, infrastructure reflect the current picture Strategy set out a number of essential schools and GPs. of Catford, but improvements are planned pledges that will improve the existing The impact of the increased number for the coming decades. Lewisham Council, transport system. These include creating of residents on the transport infrastructure in partnership with Council, are ‘a London suburban metro’ and improving will be an important consideration on pushing for the Bakerloo Line Extension ‘the overall accessibility of the transport individual planning applications as they are to connect Catford with the underground system.’

[email protected] SE6 SAYS 5 TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

SE6 Says Sandra Thompson Local teacher

‘There used to be a reggae and soul club called The 10 – I’m talking back in the 90s. Me and my sisters used to go there all the time. We’d go there at 10pm and come out in the morning!

‘The high street was really buzzing back then. There was so much to do and it felt really welcoming, like you belonged.

‘I would like to see more regeneration of the shops, and more places where people can sit down and chill and meet - places where everybody wants to go.’

Wendy Arnold-Dean Co-founder of Catford Arts

‘I used to have my own open house in Catford every year for 10 years, and then started Catford Arts. When I first came here, it was a bit undiscovered. It wasn’t a showy place. I liked that it was quite normal and friendly.

‘I think the regeneration is great, anything where you can do something up, make it better and bring some life back into the place, it’s nice. I’m hoping that all the intentions come to reality.’

catfordarts.org

6 SE6 SAYS 0808 1961 280 TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

What kind of open spaces would you like in the town centre?

A sequence of smaller, sheltered spaces? Public square, Copenhagen Kings Cross, London

Two larger, open squares? Exchange Square, Manchester Windrush Square, , London

Public space Local people felt overwhelmingly positive about the prospect of a fully pedestrianised public space in the town centre, that would stretch across the current Laurence House site once the South Circular Road is rerouted. Public spaces are a vital part of any community, and over the What happens next? summer we discussed the merits of a single larger public space or a series of smaller, All of the feedback gathered throughout the previous segmented spaces. Most people preferred three years of engagement is helping to refine the initial a larger single space with an emphasis on trees and planting to protect pedestrians draft of the framework plan for Catford town centre. from the impact of pollution. Next, Lewisham Council will consider all of the feedback Pollution was a common theme, but with both the rerouting of the South and finalise the framework plan that will become a Circular Road, as well as green barriers and roadmap for regeneration in the decades to come. There a city-wide emphasis on walking, cycling will be further opportunities to have your say with the and public transport, Catford of the future will be designed to create open, safe and aim to have this plan agreed and in place by Spring 2020. healthy public space that serve the needs of the local community.

teamcatford.com SE6 SAYS 7 TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

Elephant & Castle Bricklayers Arms Burgess Park Asylum Gate

Everything you need to know about the Bakerloo Line Extension What are the What will it mean proposals? for Catford?

The proposed extension of the The Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE) Catford has been identified as an Bakerloo line is currently planned in two will be transformational for Catford and Opportunity Area in the Mayor of London’s phases, but Lewisham Council thinks that Lewisham as a whole. The town will be draft New London Plan alongside New Cross and it should be done in one go. First, it would seamlessly connected to the tube network, Lewisham. This commits Lewisham Council to a extend from its current terminus at Elephant with trains every few minutes. It will bring target of delivering 27,500 new homes across and Castle, to via the Old an end to long waits at Catford and Catford these three areas. With many more new homes, Road and New Cross Gate. The good Bridge stations and you will no longer need there is a compelling argument that Catford news for Catford is the second phase could to walk long distances to connect to the needs investment in its transport capacity to see the line extend all the way to Hayes via tube network at London Bridge, Cannon support its new residents. , Catford, Lower Sydenham and Street or Charing Cross. The BLE will bring economic benefits through the London Borough of . As well as bringing central London for local people. By being better connected, closer to Catford, the BLE will provide up Catfordians will find it easier to travel to work to 18 trains per hour into central London. whilst local businesses will be better connected With more capacity on our transport to a larger customer base. These positive network, Lewisham Council can build the economic effects will revitalise our town centre homes that local people need. and create more jobs for local people.

8 BACK THE BAKERLOO @TeamCatford TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

Why are there so few tube stations in Lewisham south-east London?

There are 250 tube stations north of the river, but just 29 stations to the south. The uneven development of the tube network is partly due to south-east London soil comprising a large proportion of clay, making deep tube tunnels difficult to build. Instead, south-east London has Ladywell developed an extensive national rail network, which unfortunately has a lower frequency of services, terminates on the fringes of central London and requires cumbersome and costly interchanges to join the underground network. Innovations in construction methods mean that south- east London is no longer off-limits for the tube network. The Jubilee Line Extension and upcoming Elizabeth line both touch the edges with stops at (Jubilee) CatfordCATFORD and (Elizabeth), but the BLE would be the first to truly serve south-east London.

When will the How can I Lower Sydenham BLE happen? #BacktheBakerloo?

There is still more consultation to be Head over to backthebakerloo.org.uk done, and TfL is expected to present their and sign up to give your support to final plans in early 2020. Construction could the BLE. You can also use the hashtag start as early as 2023 with services running #BacktheBakerloo to help spread the from 2029. word about the campaign. n

Hayes

TfL need your views on their most detailed plans for the Bakerloo Line Extension yet, including your opinion on bringing the line beyond Lewisham to Catford, Ladywell and Lower Sydenham. Even if you have already signed up to the Back the Bakerloo campaign, we need you to go to tfl.gov.uk/Bakerloo-extension before 22nd December and respond to Question 9 (the extension to Hayes).

@TeamCatford BACK THE BAKERLOO 9 TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

Catford Mews: a new cultural hub for Catford Above: Big Tobz performs at the Catford Mews launch event

The long-anticipated Catford Mews Brewery and Indigo Wines, both opened its doors in early September. based in south London, showcase successful Boasting a three-screen cinema, café bar businesses in the area. and live music area, it is the first multi- The three screens at the cinema mean screen cinema to open in Lewisham in a Catford Mews will be able to showcase a generation. mix of family favourites and independent As many will remember, Catford Mews cinema as well as creating opportunities was previously an indoor market and the for filmmakers to show their work on the vast space has now been transformed into big screen. There are also plans to host local a multi-purpose, open-plan space with groups, musicians and DJs at the venue. community at its heart. The aim of the There was no cinema at all across the project is to be truly inclusive; giving Catford borough of Lewisham between 2001 and residents a place to meet and unwind with 2015 and the last time Catford had its an exciting cinema programme as well as own cinema was 20 years ago. Before that providing a platform for local talent and however, there were several in the area entrepreneurs. including the Eros Cinema, the Hippodrome Four local food vendors, hand- and an ABC. People have fond memories of selected from the Catford Food Market, the old cinemas and the original Catford offering everything from vegan doughnuts Mews market, which the new cinema’s to Japanese street food means there’s name pays tribute to, so there is a real sense something for everyone. Partnerships with of excitement about its resurrection. Just as our new cultural hub opens in Catford, Lewisham is making the case to be named as London’s Borough of Culture for 2021. If successful, Lewisham would be given over £1m in funding to roll out an Catford Mews founder Preston Benson exciting programme of cultural events and activities that would showcase the very best of meanwhile-use projects will see tenants of the borough. Visit iamlewisham.uk to occupy vacant units to deliver a variety of back the bid today. exciting new initiatives to help revitalise Catford town centre is in the midst of the town centre. Alongside the launch of its own cultural revival. Once home to the Catford Mews, the town has already seen Savoy Ballroom, the Lewisham Hippodrome Yoga House and Catford Cornucopia open as well as three cinemas, it is time for the in the centre and contribute to a fresh and town to reclaim its title as a cultural hub. diverse high street. As plans develop for the regeneration of the To see what’s next for the town centre visit town over the coming decades, a programme teamcatford.com n Catford Mews

10 CATFORD MEWS: A NEW CULTURAL HUB FOR CATFORD 0808 1961 280 TEAM CATFORD WINTER 2019

Catford Cornucopia’s new home

Catford Cornucopia has been popping up over summer, showcasing the very best of locally produced goodies alongside Team Catford’s consultation materials so you can support your neighbours whilst having your say on the future of Catford town centre. All profits go to their two chosen charities: the Sickle Cell Society and the 999 Club - a small charity providing advice, advocacy, shelter, health checks and activities for homeless people in Lewisham and south London. It’s now open in Catford Shopping Centre, opposite Iceland, where you can now come along to discuss the latest ideas for the framework plan. For more information and to shop online, go to catfordcornucopia.com n

Catford Cornucopia

Upcoming events

If you’d like to see some of the initial ideas for the framework plan for Catford town centre, you can come along to the following events where you can discuss the plan with Team Catford and share your thoughts:

Sunday 26 January 10am-4pm, Catford Food Market, Catford Shopping Centre, Winslade Way, SE6 4JU Sunday 23 February 10am-4pm, Catford Food Market, Catford Shopping Centre, Winslade Way, SE6 4JU Sunday 29 March 10am-4pm, Catford Food Market, Catford Shopping Centre, Winslade Way, SE6 4JU

Get in touch @TeamCatford We’re always interested in hearing from local people, community groups and businesses so if you’d like to share @TeamCatford useful information, promote upcoming events or would @TeamCatfordse6 like to be featured, please email us at [email protected] [email protected] 0808 1961 280 You can also visit catfordchronicle.com for insights and Simply write Freepost Team Catford on an envelope articles about Catford. and your letter will find its way to us! teamcatford.com

teamcatford.com CATFORD CORNUCOPIA’S NEW HOME 11 Last Sunday of every month 10am - 4pm Catford Shopping Centre, Winslade Way SE6 4JU

JAN FEB MAR 26 23 29 APR MAY JUN 26 31 28 JUL JUL AUG

NIGHT MARKET 26 30 SEP OCT NOV 27 25 29

catfordfoodmarket CatfordFoodMkt CatfordFoodMarket [email protected] www.catfordfoodmarket.com