WestcombeNEWS Free to 3800 homes, & in libraries & some shops September 2017 No. 7 A community newspaper commended by the London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies Phone mast drama in Siebert Road WN reporter ocal residents in Blackheath are up in took too long to respond with their refusal Larms after Greenwich Council admit- – just a day late. This meant that by ted making a planning blunder that means default, the company that runs Vodafone they may get a mobile phone mast erected and O2’s networks, Cornerstone at the end of their gardens – and a short Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd distance from no fewer than three schools. (CTIL), had permission to erect the mast – All this despite Greenwich Council plan- as long as the property owner agrees. ners refusing permission for the mast. Observers say that there has been a series In July, the historic state helmets and breastplates of In September 2016, Vodafone and O2 of similar errors: in an incident in May, a the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were had applied for permission to build the mast was erected at Foxfield Primary replaced for two weeks by the iconic full dress jacket mast on land off Siebert Road, next to the School in Woolwich, after the council and busby of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, foot tunnel from Eastcombe Avenue that failed to object in time. which is based in Greenwich. So the neat tough Irish goes under the Blackwall Tunnel Southern Land Registry documents do not Draught horses, ranging in colour from light bay to Approach. The land sits between homes on indicate who owns the land in question – almost black, took over from the giant black cavalry Westcombe Hill and the dual carriageway. although it is maintained by Greenwich chargers ridden by the Blues and Royals. The council was sent a huge volume of council. Transport for London (TfL) is protests, including a huge on-line petition, responsible for the nearby Blackwall the system now been corrected to ensure Vodaphone another chance to put up a when the plan was mooted. As a result the Tunnel approach road and the underpass. that this will not happen again.’ mast that nobody wants. It's a mess that Council planners refused the application There are continuing investigations to Government guidance states that nearby shouldn't have happened.’ last November. establish ownership. schools must be consulted before an Residents supported by the Westcombe Residents breathed a sigh of relief; but Rebecca Moore, a resident of Siebert application is submitted. None of the three Society and other groups are now anxious were shocked when, at the end of July, Road, said ‘We already have to live with schools near the Siebert Road site were that the investigations and actions being workmen turned up with a digger to start the noise and pollution from the A102 – consulted: Invicta Primary School. MEFA undertaken by the council will ensure that work on erecting the mast. Householders and now we have the threat of this mast.’ Montessori for Autism, and the Kirkside the application is again refused. in Siebert Road and Westcombe Hill had Road site of Greenwich Steiner School. to persuade them to stop work until a What the Council said A Council spokesperson stated: ‘We are Vodaphone and 02’s statement council employee advised that the land In a letter seen by the WN, the council’s committed to doing the very best that we A spokesperson for Vodaphone said: owner had not given permission and work senior planning officer Victoria Geoghegan can to listen, record and act on residents’ ‘Vodafone and O2 customers expect to be could not proceed. has written to the residents saying: views for each and every planning applica- able to use their mobiles and devices ‘Regretfully and due to a systems error, tion. We have apologised to residents where they live, work and travel. Base Appalling mistake the application wasn’t determined within where mistakes have been made and are stations are low-powered devices which Local resident Nathalie Golden comments: the 56-day period which means it is working hard to make sure that such errors cover approximately half a mile in radius, ‘It is appalling that a mistake by the Royal deemed to be consented to and the mast do not happen in the future.’ therefore we have to put base stations close Borough of Greenwich has, potentially, can now be installed provided all other The Council has meanwhile halted the to our customers. allowed a large telco such as Vodaphone to permissions are obtained. works in Siebert Road and confirmed that ‘Vodafone and O2 identified that they run roughshod over the wishes of not only ‘It is extremely unfortunate that the a street-works permit will not be issued need to improve the coverage to their local residents and schools but also, ironi- customers in Blackheath and we now have application wasn’t determined in 56 days until the land ownership/highways status cally, the council itself. Permission was consent for a base station on Siebert Road. given that representations objecting to the has been resolved. Cllr Geoff Brighty refused by the council but here we are ‘We have received a query on the land scheme were made. I can assure you that commented: ‘This is really frustrating for fighting to stop it being erected despite residents. The Council's failure to meet ownership at the proposed location and are everyone agreeing it PHOTO: Rebecca Moore the planning decision deadline has given currently investigating this point.’ should not be sited here. It is devastating for residents, especially when this isn’t This is the age of the train . the first such error made by Greenwich council.’ nder plans that are now out for Blackfriars will go between those to The problem was what? Uconsultation, Greenwich, Maze Hill, Charing Cross and Cannon Street, thus Under planning law, a Westcombe Park and Charlton could get impeding the old connection between council has to respond direct trains to Luton Airport vis a new Greenwich and the Charing Cross lines. within 56 days to prevent line, Thamelink Metro Route TL10 Trains can still run to Charing Cross in this type of application. Trains would go every half-hour, seven emergencies. Apparently, the council days a week from Luton to Rainham, Kent, Trains would also stop at Charlton, via Blackfriars, London Bridge, Greenwich Woolwich Arsenal, Plumstead, Abbey and Dartford. During peak hours on week- Wood and Dartford, but not at Belvedere, < < Newsbriefs > > days, the trains would be more frequent. Erith – or Woolwich Dockyard. There is A stop at London Bridge will be wel- some concern that trains to Cannon Street OnBlackheath Grant cut Knife crime month they may be come to open up links to north London and might run less frequently in consequence. Dates are now fixed The Arts Council has Council trading stan- eligible for more free beyond when the Thameslink works are Matt Pennycook MP for Greenwich and for the 9th and 10th withdrawn its annual dards teams report childcare each week. completed in 2018. It will give passengers Woolwich has been pressing goverment September: it features grant to Greenwich that nearly one in At present all families at Deptford, Greenwich, Maze Hill and ministers on the state of Southeastern with among others the Dance, which has four shops are break- with 3 or 4-year olds American hip-hop trio done invaluable work ing the law on under- can get 15 hours per Westcombe Park – who currently rely on little success. Asked if he backed plans to De La Soul, in the community, and age knife sales in week of free childcare trains to Cannon Street – a choice of devolve SE London’s rail services to Tf, Metronomy and has built up a brilliant some areas, with over 38 weeks of the London terminals. Irritatingly, trains to transport secretary Chris Grayling was Travis, (whose classic artistic reputation. blades sold to children year. Now, some will Charing Cross ended in January 2015. non-committal, saying he wanted to see album is The Man The Arts Council has as young as 13, In be able to get an extra The new lines through London Bridge to proposals from mayor Sadiq Khan first. Who.) The Libertines decided to allocate separate test purchases 15 hours a week on perform on the Sunday, more of its budget to undertaken by the top of that. For more appropriately enough, arts organisations Royal Borough’s information about along with Seasick outside London. Trading Standards and Free Early Learning The Westcombe Society Steve Jake Bugg, and the police, four shops, Royal Greenwich, KT Tunstall. For People including a major email fis@royalgreen- The annual Macmillan Walk is on Sun. 17th Sept. starting details: www. We are very sorry to supermarket chain, wich.gov.uk or call londonnewsonline.co.uk. announce the deaths sold either razor 0208921 6921 at 9.00 am at Westcombe Park Station (Station Crescent) The Blackheath of Ann Braithwaite, blades or craft knives See page 2. Please ring Caroline on 0208 853 0948 Society is hosting an Isobel Shepherd, to young teenagers. Congratulations *** open post-event Lynda Stillwell, ... ... to Mycenae meeting in the Studio, Norman Truscott and Free child care House for a highly The Annual Macmillan Coffee Morning Age Exchange from Neil MacFadyen. We The Royal Borough successful Parkfest is on Fri. 29th Sept. 10.00am - 2.00pm 7.00 - 8.00 pm on send our condolences reminds parents and event in Mycenae Volunteers are needed to make cakes and sandwiches, Thurs. 21st Sept. to their families. carers that from this Gardens.