View Full Version : Future Brixton
quimcunx
03-11-2007, 23:45
Yeah so there was this thing on the back of my Lambeth Life free paper asking 'What's Your Future Brixton?
So what is it? What would you like to see? What would you like to change?
Or what do you think you'll see?
Perhaps a Welsh-themed pub chain?
More nail bars for a start, lemme have a think tho..
Tank Girl
03-11-2007, 23:50
Perhaps a Welsh-themed pub chain?lol :D
quimcunx
04-11-2007, 01:03
More nail bars for a start, lemme have a think tho..
How about just one nail bar that actually give proper manicures with warm water and cuticle removers that aren't just those clipper things, and hand massage. I used one once, they butchered my hands in cold water. Garrrr.
Perhaps a Welsh-themed pub chain?Yes please!
Oh, and East Brixton station reopened, the Cross River Tram up and running, the market brought back to its former glory, Tate gardens put back to how they looked in 1907, a nice new prestigious public 'landmark' building for Brixton, the Coach & Horses reinstated, Cooltan rebuilt and lots of money usefully slopped around Coldharbour Lane/Somerleyton etc to give the kids something proper to do.
Star Dove
04-11-2007, 03:01
Cut rents and house prices by half and I might move back.
lang rabbie
04-11-2007, 09:52
Perhaps a Welsh-themed pub chain?
Yes please!
Although slick and corporate, if the food is of the standard of the Yard Bar and Kitchen next to Brains brewery, (formerly the Albert?) then it will beat most of the current Brixton offer immediately.
Extend the nothern boundary of Brockwell Park to the Oval:D
quimcunx
04-11-2007, 22:53
Cut rents and house prices by half and I might move back.
We won't be seeing you around these parts for a while then?
Star Dove
05-11-2007, 00:19
We won't be seeing you around these parts for a while then?
I'm moving to a garage in Croydon. Apparently it's quite edgy and vibrant.
Loupylou
05-11-2007, 02:32
Yes please!
Oh, and East Brixton station reopened, the Cross River Tram up and running, the market brought back to its former glory, Tate gardens put back to how they looked in 1907, a nice new prestigious public 'landmark' building for Brixton, the Coach & Horses reinstated, Cooltan rebuilt and lots of money usefully slopped around Coldharbour Lane/Somerleyton etc to give the kids something proper to do.
don't forget Bradys :)
RushcroftRoader
05-11-2007, 13:36
I would like to see a stocks introduced in the middle of the market for drug dealers.
I would like to see the closure of about 5 stinking fish shops. But not the one under the railway arch - he is fantastic.
I would like to see a Brixton Oval chess tournament take place at lunchtime and 6pm every day with Ritzy staff bringing beers out to players. And regular Saturday afternoon BBQs in the summer.
Ooh I know, how about the police actually investigating "low level" crime, like street theft and muggings!
Would it be possible to get a nice cup of coffee for less than £3?
How about a pedestrian "fast lane" between the Tube and the KFC. No pushchairs, mad wandering people, any shopper with more than 2 carrier bags, or hugely fat people allowed.
Would it be possible to get a nice cup of coffee for less than £3?Ritzy & Lounge both do good coffees as does the pizza place by the Beehive.
More Chicken Cottage!!! :)
quimcunx
05-11-2007, 17:21
How about a walnut whip factory outlet shop, kanda?
I'd like a bus terminus, but there's no room without getting rid of the market.. :(
the pizza place by the Beehive.
:confused:
quimcunx
06-11-2007, 10:28
anything else, peeps?
tarannau
06-11-2007, 10:29
:confused:
San Marino I reckon...
Brainaddict
06-11-2007, 10:34
Would it be possible to get a nice cup of coffee for less than £3?
Who in Brixton charges £3 for a coffee apart from maybe Caffe Nero?
My new favourite coffee place is Opus up acre lane - very good quality. Max-Olivers is also not bad and the Lounge does a good coffee for £1.50. During the day there's also San Marino on the main road.
I would suggest the Ritzy too but unfortunately they serve the worst cappucinos in Brixton.
Investment in the market - facilities, decent road surfaces, promotion.
Central public toilets so my road (and all other side roads off the center) doesn't stink of piss all the time. Just some street urinals would be good.
Trams, wider pavements, no cars, free bikes and all that good stuff too :)
Minnie_the_Minx
06-11-2007, 10:37
I would like to see a stocks introduced in the middle of the market for drug dealers.
I would like to see the closure of about 5 stinking fish shops. But not the one under the railway arch - he is fantastic.
I would like to see a Brixton Oval chess tournament take place at lunchtime and 6pm every day with Ritzy staff bringing beers out to players. And regular Saturday afternoon BBQs in the summer.
Ooh I know, how about the police actually investigating "low level" crime, like street theft and muggings!
Would it be possible to get a nice cup of coffee for less than £3?
How about a pedestrian "fast lane" between the Tube and the KFC. No pushchairs, mad wandering people, any shopper with more than 2 carrier bags, or hugely fat people allowed.
Excellent ideas, especially the last one, and make it illegal for people to stop and engage in conversation on that particular stretch of road, especially when it's three mothers standing side by side with prams hogging the whole pavement :D
Sorry mothers :p
gaijingirl
06-11-2007, 10:38
Brazas (near the Hobgoblin/Hootananny) give out free coffee to commuters walking down to the tube/bus in the morning. They also sell ciabatta deli type sandwiches which they'll make up for you there and then and give you free fruit to go with it. Can't remember how much the sandwiches are but I remember thinking they were pretty damn cheap!
Minnie_the_Minx
06-11-2007, 10:38
Get rid of MacDonalds and KFC and then there'd be less rubbish on the streets and the buses wouldn't stink
Close Brixton Road to car traffic and bring back the river Effra to the surface creating a long thin urban park reaching from Brockwell Park to the River Thames with just cyclepaths on one side and trams on the other. At least a dozen extremely funky Amsterdam-style bridges to be put in place across said reinstated river. Plant watercress in it with gatherage rights to all Lambeth residents.
Let there be Cress for all!
And ducking stools for yuppies and estate agents.
Also a nice brazier for the lady with the comb and the bit of paper and the shaky thing.
Brainaddict
06-11-2007, 10:46
Close Brixton Road to car traffic and bring back the river Effra to the surface creating a long thin urban park reaching from Brockwell Park to the River Thames with just cyclepaths on one side and trams on the other. At least a dozen extremely funky Amsterdam-style bridges to be put in place across said reinstated river. Plant watercress in it with gatherage rights to all Lambeth residents.
Let there be Cress for all!
And ducking stools for yuppies and estate agents.
Also a nice brazier for the lady with the comb and the bit of paper and the shaky thing.
I nominate you for President of Brixton :cool:
gaijingirl
06-11-2007, 10:47
Close Brixton Road to car traffic and bring back the river Effra to the surface creating a long thin urban park reaching from Brockwell Park to the River Thames with just cyclepaths on one side and trams on the other. At least a dozen extremely funky Amsterdam-style bridges to be put in place across said reinstated river. Plant watercress in it with gatherage rights to all Lambeth residents.
Let there be Cress for all!
This... I want this.... (and the brazier)
Minnie_the_Minx
06-11-2007, 10:48
Plant magic mushrooms in it with gatherage rights to all Lambeth residents.
Let there be mushrooms for all!
Aren't there enough drugs in Brixton? :mad:
There aren't enough drugs in Brixton!! :mad:
Or watercress.
:cool:
Close Brixton Road to car traffic and bring back the river Effra to the surface creating a long thin urban park reaching from Brockwell Park to the River Thames with just cyclepaths on one side and trams on the other. At least a dozen extremely funky Amsterdam-style bridges to be put in place across said reinstated river. Plant watercress in it with gatherage rights to all Lambeth residents.You've got my vote too.
And another thing! - restore Lougborough Junction's radical and innovative free shuttle service to the centre of London, I don't think I saw a ticket seller or collector at the station in LJ once in the 1980s. Meanwhile at Holborn Viaduct* the converstaion went like this;
Ticket collector: where's your ticket then?
Co-op: I've come from Loughborough Junction, and I want a one-day travelcard but the ticket office wasn't open.
TC: ok you'll have to go and buy one over there <points at ticket office a good 100 yards away>
Co-op: Sure thing! I'll go right over there now and do it straight away before I forget!
*Holborn Viaduct = "St Paul's Thameslink" in new money :mad:
quimcunx
06-11-2007, 15:46
Finally I've thought of something I would actively like. A new Alfie. We need a town crier dedicated to Brixton. A cheery chatty old man. Or Orang Utan.
I've been after a decent, friendly second hand reggae shop since Dean Ellis' fantastic shop closed down in "Brixton Village" as it now is.
The good news is that after a couple of sporadic efforts Si (Rebel Lion) has just opened a new stall in the market.
Music Temple record and cd exchange..
unit 98, 2nd Avenue
Brixton Village (aka Granville Arcade)
entrances on Coldharbour Lane /Atlantic Avenue
open mon,tues,thurs,fri... 11~ 6.30
weds ....11-4
sat .... 10 -6.30
.quality secondhand vinyls and cd's ..roots, revival, rare grooves, slow jams, hip hop, jungle, vintage dance hall etc. etc.
7"s, 12"s, LP's ...bargains to rarities.
.new release uk/ja/reissue roots and culture ..7"s, 10"s,12"s and CD
.revival/ lovers/roots mix tapes
.vintage to modern session cd's
.record finding service.. wants lists welcome
.record valuation service (for insurance/investment puposes)
.record auctions...coming soon.
etc.etc.
more than 35 years combined knowledge of buying/selling records
top prices paid fror used records
exchange / trade welcomed.
for all info, email:
musictemplerecords@hotmail.co.uk
or phone
07919 585 742 or
07717 188 717
The future looks bright.
intrikat
07-11-2007, 02:23
adverts on urban?
Whats the world coming to?
Brainaddict
07-11-2007, 09:22
It does look somewhat advert-like doesn't it? I wonder what ringo's relationship to this shop is exactly?
reinstate the canopies like we wus promised.
Heh :-)
Well, kind of an advert I suppose, but really more to do with Brixton's cultural heritage.
Back in the 60's there were numerous reggae shops in Brixton, a tradition which became even greater in the 70's when Castro Brown and Dennis Brown ran DEB Records from Coldharbour Lane as was Ethnic Fight, run by Larry Lawrence. In the 80's that began to decline, but Blacka Dread, Supertone, Red Records, Selectors and Alton Ellis's family business all continued the tradition into the 90's and then the 2000's.
These days Wally still runs Supertone and Blacka still has a small presence, but the Ellis's shop closed, Red went mainstream/ r'n'b, the little arches places all closed down.
The heart went out of the reggae scene in Brixton and from a cultural perspective I think that's a shame. While it's true that the youth of Brixton have diversified more into hip hop and r'n'b there is still a hardcore of reggae fans in Brixton which was under-represented by the music shops.
So yes, I know the bloke who runs it, and yes it's an ad, but for something I think important to our area. If the mods think that's inappropriate they can delete it.
reinstate the canopies like we wus promised.
What canopies were those?
On electric avenue.
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/electric.jpg
Boots on the right, Iceland on the left.
Incompatible with the market, IMO - there'd be no sunlight left!
tarannau
07-11-2007, 11:31
The old Victorian cast iron canopies down Electric Lane I believe
Ringo, I sympathise about the passing of the old Reggae shops too, but it's not solely to do with the youth liking RnB and hip hop. Put simply, t'internet makes it all too simple to order JA imports on line and at lower costs, which kinds cuts the specialist retailer out of the picture
quimcunx
07-11-2007, 12:21
On electric avenue.
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/electric.jpg
Boots on the right, Iceland on the left.
Incompatible with the market, IMO - there'd be no sunlight left!
But there would be the electric lights. Would those lights in the pic be the 'first'?
I could never work out wether it was the first street to get electric street lights or to get electric lights in the buildings, or both...
and I absolutely agree. They look great. It would be fabulous to return Electric avenue's canopies and the lights. Why can't we have a bit of the 'heritage' street decor that more picturesque areas get.
Minnie_the_Minx
07-11-2007, 12:25
But there would be the electric lights. Would those lights in the pic be the 'first'?
I could never work out wether it was the first street to get electric street lights or to get electric lights in the buildings, or both...
and I absolutely agree. They look great. It would be fabulous to return Electric avenue's canopies and the lights. Why can't we have a bit of the 'heritage' street decor that more picturesque areas get.
the street
anyway, there's no way they'd put the canopies back up. They'd probably block any view CCTV would have
On electric avenue.
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/electric.jpg
Boots on the right, Iceland on the left.
Incompatible with the market, IMO - there'd be no sunlight left!
No sunlight eh?
Hmmm....I wonder if there is some way of creating light but artificially...
<scratches chin pensively>
if we only had a technical means - or a fuel source that could be transmitted down - say - thin copper wires...
But WHAT dammit!
NO, Electric Avenue will have to be lit by sun for now. Maybe we should rename it Sun Avenue? :p
ATOMIC SUPLEX
07-11-2007, 14:01
Moving pavements, holo ads, hover cars, talking dogs, Eddy Grant Memorial (also holographic).
intrikat
07-11-2007, 15:56
Heh :-)
Well, kind of an advert I suppose, but really more to do with Brixton's cultural heritage.
Back in the 60's there were numerous reggae shops in Brixton, a tradition which became even greater in the 70's when Castro Brown and Dennis Brown ran DEB Records from Coldharbour Lane as was Ethnic Fight, run by Larry Lawrence. In the 80's that began to decline, but Blacka Dread, Supertone, Red Records, Selectors and Alton Ellis's family business all continued the tradition into the 90's and then the 2000's.
These days Wally still runs Supertone and Blacka still has a small presence, but the Ellis's shop closed, Red went mainstream/ r'n'b, the little arches places all closed down.
The heart went out of the reggae scene in Brixton and from a cultural perspective I think that's a shame. While it's true that the youth of Brixton have diversified more into hip hop and r'n'b there is still a hardcore of reggae fans in Brixton which was under-represented by the music shops.
So yes, I know the bloke who runs it, and yes it's an ad, but for something I think important to our area. If the mods think that's inappropriate they can delete it.
While I don't want to get into a slanging match with you ringo - how does running an advert on urban constitute cultural heritage? What you have just put in this last post explains it - so why couldn't you have just done that and then said my mate runs a record shop its at... check it out? Its a slippery slope.
:(
quimcunx
08-11-2007, 01:17
Right I've written to Future Brixton with my idea to get a new Town Crier and will pass on the ideas here over the next couplr of days. I'll let you know if I get a reply.
I don't remember it being unduly dark when the remnants of the canopies were there. It's all a bit hazy tbh, I can't remember when they were taken away, but I do recall there being a commitment to them being reinstated, and that was repeated by Brixton Challenge, whenever that was.
While I don't want to get into a slanging match with you ringo - how does running an advert on urban constitute cultural heritage? What you have just put in this last post explains it - so why couldn't you have just done that and then said my mate runs a record shop its at... check it out? Its a slippery slope.
:(
Can't be bothered to argue either, but in no way did I suggest that putting an ad up constitutes cultural heritage. That would be silly. It's the availability of reggae music in Brixton that contributes to it's cultural heritage.
Re the interweb stuff, yup, I know, although it was also the doubling of rent in Granville Arcade that caused the demise of Dean's shop. The council sold the arcade into the private sector and the new landlords changed the name and increased the rents.
It's a shame to see the reggae shops go, just like it was a shame to see the old comic shop next to the Atlantic (Dogstar) vanish and the old Pie & Mash shop next to the Albert.
But if the punters aren't using the shops....
It's a shame to see the reggae shops go, just like it was a shame to see the old comic shop next to the Atlantic (Dogstar) vanish and the old Pie & Mash shop next to the Albert.
But if the punters aren't using the shops....
Or if the rent gets whacked up...
will have to check out that new shop ringo. Thanks for letting me know
Or if the rent gets whacked up...Bit of both, but let's be honest. Brixton hardly rocks to reggae any more does it? :(
Still very popular in some form though and at the heart of a significant proportion of the population's culture.
There are loads of reggae nights in Brixton. It's also ubiquitous in various shops, cars going passed, the back seat of the bus, heard randomly coming from flats/houses in any estate you walk through.
Anyway, it's nothing to get worked up about, we've all got our causes to champion.
tarannau
08-11-2007, 16:55
I don't know. It's still bleeding popular, but the number of West Indian/reggae favouring venues gets smaller by the year in Brixton. Bigger profits to be made elsewhere I guess.
I still get invites to a surprising number of decent reggae nights - it's just that they're not as mainstream or pushed by any other way than reggae favouring shops and pirates. I probably don't even hear of a 1/3 of them
The other aspect is that with the internet killing off many a reggae shop and the change in the community seeing off many a sound system - hell they used to be on many a street corner when I was a nipper - reggae just isn't half as near as visible. I'm almost inclined to pop down and give my neighbour of two doors down - one of the last of the reggae dinosaurs - warm praise when he starts his big rig up during the daylight hours. He plonks a mattress in front of his front windows to stop the glass vibrating, plays some good old tunes and sits on his garden wall with a few mates enjoying the sunshine. It's like a taste of old Brixton.
I still get invites to a surprising number of decent reggae nights - it's just that they're not as mainstream or pushed by any other way than reggae favouring shops and pirates. I probably don't even hear of a 1/3 of them
I think that's a crucial point. Sounds like Sir Coxsone usually only play at Twelve Tribes meetings now. Some of the best selections I've heard in Brixton have been at 80th birthday parties or christenings, all at private parties.
The reggae crowd is getting much older, they don't go out to trendy clubs anymore, but there's still a lot of Jamaican music being played in Brixton.
There should be more bashment/one drop/this week's JA dance clubs in Brixton, but they won't attract people from outside of the scene 'cos people think they'll get shot etc.
tarannau
08-11-2007, 17:16
It's quite sad the RDK boys aren't played the Hob every w/e now as well. Still, they've got Levi "I'll sing about my sauce again' Roots playing there soon.
There are still a lot of decent names playing out in Brixton - recent months and I've seen Manasseh alongside Brother Culture, Mad Professor, Upstate, J-Star and a host of others, all playing in small venues with comparatively little notice. Sadly, nearly all of them earn more by going on tour to more appreciative audiences in France, Germany and further afield.
PacificOcean
08-11-2007, 21:07
No votes for Starbucks? :confused:
I vote we get rid of Brixton completely and replace it with a massive Tescos.
quimcunx
09-11-2007, 00:09
No votes for Starbucks? :confused:
Nope, but I'd reinstate the Juice bar to how it was.
I vote we get rid of Brixton completely and replace it with a massive Tescos.
They actually did that to Acton in the 80s.
quimcunx
09-11-2007, 13:50
Your demands have been sent to the future brixton bods. No reply as yet, but I'll let you know... :)
There are still a lot of decent names playing out in Brixton - recent months and I've seen Manasseh alongside Brother Culture, Mad Professor, Upstate, J-Star and a host of others, all playing in small venues with comparatively little notice. Sadly, nearly all of them earn more by going on tour to more appreciative audiences in France, Germany and further afield.
And Poland.A Polish friend of mine went to a Reggae festival in North East Poland.She did say the Festival was good.Problem was going down to the local village where Polands less enlightened would wait to beat up anyone who looked a bit "different"(Far right parties and Neo Nazis groups are big in some parts of Poland).Some young Poles are into "Alternative culture" and the festival scene thats been going in the West Europe since the 60s.
Its interesting that some East Europeans have taken to music that would have been repressed under Communist kill joys.And also that it has a following in Poland where they arent used to living in a multicultural society.
The website link is
www.lambeth.gov.uk/futurebrixton
I was in the market today and LBL had a stall outside Boots.They were giving out leaflets about Brixton Central Sq and "futurebrixton" and answering questions.Said they would be "consulting" on the new "Masterplan" for Brixotn and asking for comments.
As far as I know the New "Masterplan" does not involve any new ideas.Its beong made up from previous consultants reports and "consultations".Whether people will have any real input is hard to say.I asked whether there were going to be any meetings.They said (correctly) that some people didnt have time for meetings.That they would use email and written comments.Also they were going to have meetings with "local Groups". I said this affected where I lived and I would like to be consulted.When I said I was Short/Life I was met with a "Oh" from the bright young thing the Council get to meet the public.So I dont know if its going to be a situation of the Council "consulting" the "right" people and groups and not others.We will have to see.
Without going into details here of my situation Id like to point out that some sites in Brixton are on the Councils "disposal list".Which means they could be sold to a developer.Though this might not happen.
There is a danger that this new future could change Brixton dramatically.Which may be good for Lambeth but not so good for those who are wary that Brixtons character that has been built up since the 1960s will disappear into an estate agents paradise.(When I hear a Council officer talking about building "Live/Work units in Brixton I get concerned.Its another term for "Loft Living".Looks good on a report.) You only have to look at what has happened to Hoxton to see that as a warning for Brixton.
I emailed Future Brixton a while back,asking to be updated/consulted etc.So far Ive received no reply.Does anyone knowwhat actually is going on?
Seems to me the consultation is limited to say the least.It says a questionairre is coming out in new year 2008.But ive not heard anything.
Ive just noticed that U75 is on the extra "Links" section of the Future Brixton website.:cool:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/links/index.html#portals
Ill take that as no one knows what is happening with the "Great Consultation Exercise":rolleyes: .Ive emailed my details(twice) and given my details at the stall Future Brixton had in the market last year.
Must say Im pissed off I have not been contacted or given info on plans.Especially as I gave my email address.
Cant help but think this "consultation" is one of those stage managed affairs.
tarannau
18-01-2008, 15:56
And Poland.A Polish friend of mine went to a Reggae festival in North East Poland.She did say the Festival was good.Problem was going down to the local village where Polands less enlightened would wait to beat up anyone who looked a bit "different"(Far right parties and Neo Nazis groups are big in some parts of Poland).Some young Poles are into "Alternative culture" and the festival scene thats been going in the West Europe since the 60s.
Its interesting that some East Europeans have taken to music that would have been repressed under Communist kill joys.And also that it has a following in Poland where they arent used to living in a multicultural society.
Never did pick this post up before but there was a Polish reggae night on in Mass not that long ago. Well by Polish Reggae I mean a night of reggae artists (including Earl Gateshead?Brother Culture iirc) put on by Polish organisers
Pretty much unadvertised it sold out well in advance. Busier than other higher profile reggae nights (including Goldfinger's/Rodigans) have been by all accounts.
I think that's a crucial point. Sounds like Sir Coxsone usually only play at Twelve Tribes meetings now. Some of the best selections I've heard in Brixton have been at 80th birthday parties or christenings, all at private parties.
The reggae crowd is getting much older, they don't go out to trendy clubs anymore, but there's still a lot of Jamaican music being played in Brixton.
There should be more bashment/one drop/this week's JA dance clubs in Brixton, but they won't attract people from outside of the scene 'cos people think they'll get shot etc.
I'm passing over Gramsci's (probably more important) posts about Future Brixton just because I was thinking about this whole Brixton-reggae question after reading this thread. Anyway I was up at 9 Elms Sunday Market last week - I haven't been for about 3 years and it's absolutely huge now thousands of people there, pretty black - African and Caribbean, very international, and I was totally struck by the music - it was reggae everywhere, lots of what they were calling "Old Skool" (ie early 90s ragga) sprinkling of lovers, revival and whatever you might be into really. Probably a dozen stalls knocking out excellent tunes - all a bit piratey and home-copied but whatever, I picked up 3 great compilations for a quid each. Very un-cool (in the sense that you could chat with the stall-holders there wasn't much snobbery at all (which a few of the old reggae shops were quite bad for I thought - anyone remember Blacker Dread? - they would barely acknowledge you in there if you weren't a super-regular who hung out all day)
Anyway, I was left wondering why there isn't a bit more of this up at Brixton market - maybe it's a bit more legal/policed there? 9 Elms/New Covent Garden is a bit of a dump really but the market almost seemed like Brixton market of the old days but shuffled up the road and all squeezed into one day. It was a good afternoon, and it'll be better in the summer.
Never did pick this post up before but there was a Polish reggae night on in Mass not that long ago. Well by Polish Reggae I mean a night of reggae artists (including Earl Gateshead?Brother Culture iirc) put on by Polish organisers
Pretty much unadvertised it sold out well in advance. Busier than other higher profile reggae nights (including Goldfinger's/Rodigans) have been by all accounts.
The Poles have their own info network for music.Well known Polish bands also come here as well.Punk was big in the 1980s in Poland
Anyway, I was left wondering why there isn't a bit more of this up at Brixton market - maybe it's a bit more legal/policed there? 9 Elms/New Covent Garden is a bit of a dump really but the market almost seemed like Brixton market of the old days but shuffled up the road and all squeezed into one day. It was a good afternoon, and it'll be better in the summer.
Maybe as its more of an informal Sunday only Market its easier to get pitches than Brixton market.I need to go as iv heard about it from several people.
Went to see the Brixton Expo outside the Brixton library.There was a marquee there with various stalls -including Greens,Bradys lot and Council stalls.I really went to see about any info on the Brixton Masterplan.
Had a chat with one of the Future Brixton officers.They are assembling a new masterplan based on old consultations and reports.They have divided central Brixton into different zones.There will be meetings around Brixton this month.See here:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/events/index.html
From talking to the officer Im not clear how much say people will have on the Masterplan-other than details.I said I cant really comment until there is a report/proposals to look at.Rather than asking us vague questions about what we would like.
I also said I had put myself on the Future Brixton mailing list/email list before Xmas but had nothing sent to me.They said they would be sending out stuff in the next few weeks.
What concerns me is the timetable on the Future Brixton website said this Masterplan is being consulted on in the next few months and I have not seen a lot of detail to comment on.
The officer I talked to also said they have put more info on the Future Brixton website which is correct.See above link.
If ur in the Somerleyton Road,Barrier Block area there will be a lot of changes.So its may be worth keeping up on this-New School with access through Moorlands estate,Railway side of Somerleyton road what do people want,Barrier Block to be altered possibly,CHL outside Barrier Block development to improve street frontage.
By the way Shanes Greenies had nice cakes at there stall:).
And there new candidate for Mayor gets my vote;):D
http://www.sianformayor.org.uk/
lang rabbie
03-02-2008, 17:03
Looks like some pretty dramatic changes for the High Road as well. :eek:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/images/exchange.png
brucenbart
03-02-2008, 17:17
I heard that Brixton Expo set up an hour late. Is that true or just more Lambeth council bashing?
Gixxer1000
04-02-2008, 14:18
Looks like some pretty dramatic changes for the High Road as well. :eek:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/images/exchange.png
LMFAO at the hot air balloon.
Looks like some pretty dramatic changes for the High Road as well. :eek:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/images/exchange.pngI can't even work out where that is.
And where's the hot air balloon going?
Looks like some pretty dramatic changes for the High Road as well. :eek:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/images/exchange.png
WTFOMGROFLCOPTR!!!!
That's all of Atlantic Road/Electric Lane/High Street Triangle gobbled up! Not a hope in hell, fuckers.
Editor - that's the high street at the bottom. The arches in the middle are up atlantic road - where the portugese deli is.
The large new building on the right is on top of Brady's. The Rec is to the left of that, between the two large buildings.
Brainaddict
04-02-2008, 14:29
Looks like some pretty dramatic changes for the High Road as well. :eek:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/images/exchange.png
It's like a vision of a utopian future! :cool:
As envisaged by someone in the sixties with access to the engineering techniques of the nineties :(
christonabike
04-02-2008, 14:30
That's fucking mental
Got to say it again, that's fucking mental
Will it be ready by christmas?
:)
Gixxer1000
04-02-2008, 14:32
Tfl fail to deny the rumours that they will be operating a Balloon service into Central London.
Looks like some pretty dramatic changes for the High Road as well. :eek:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/images/exchange.png
It's rather ugly... will they put up the kind of high rises that they will condem in 30 years time....
The high rises look like periscopes. And imposing. And not sympathetic to their surrounding.... Reminds me of the horrendous plans for dalston junction....
Gixxer1000
04-02-2008, 14:34
It's like a vision of a utopian future! :cool:
As envisaged by someone in the sixties with access to the engineering techniques and drugs of the nineties :(
Corrected for you.
Tfl fail to deny the rumours that they will be operating a Balloon service into Central London.
I'd catch a ballon to work... that would be very cool....completely impractical .....
I just sent them an email.
Line 1: What the HELL
Line 2: Link to that picture
And then Arthur Dent's rant at the bipass builders (You half crazed visigoths etc.)
PacificOcean
04-02-2008, 14:42
There seems to be a lot of wasted space on the left building on the first few floors just to make it look funky.
e2a. What are they supposed to be? Housing or offices?
e2a pt II. That building on the right looks very similar to that new one the have built next to Southwark Station.
I'd catch a ballon to work... that would be very cool....completely impractical .....
Ooh can it stop at Streatham as well, balloon to work would be :cool:
Brainaddict
04-02-2008, 14:45
e2a. What are they supposed to be? Housing or offices?
It doesn't matter :mad: Your question merely exposes your extreme naivety on the matter of modern architecture :rolleyes:
PacificOcean
04-02-2008, 14:45
Ooh can it stop at Streatham as well, balloon to work would be :cool:
The trains are packed and you are suggesting a mode of transport that carries four people at a time? :p:D
PacificOcean
04-02-2008, 14:47
It doesn't matter :mad: Your question merely exposes your extreme naivety on the matter of modern architecture :rolleyes:
Why is everyone having a go at me today? :(
Ooh can it stop at Streatham as well, balloon to work would be :cool:
We could have it as the urban ballon... Start down Streatham, pick up people in brixton, then Stockwell... and onto work or the seaside....
We could have it as the urban ballon... Start down Streatham, pick up people in brixton, then Stockwell... and onto work or the seaside....
Once we've got hold of a balloon just using it to go to work would be a terrible shame :D
It doesn't matter :mad: Your question merely exposes your extreme naivety on the matter of modern architecture :rolleyes:
well, although ( i think) your point is they are ugly whether they are housing or offices, it does make me wonder what exactly they will be built for. Offices? More 'affordable' housing? They seem to be designed by someone who has no care or feeling about Brixton ( probably the same person ruining Dalston Junction) Design over aesthetics....
Once we've got hold of a balloon just using it to go to work would be a terrible shame :D
apart from once to impress your work colleagues...:D
Brainaddict
04-02-2008, 14:55
Why is everyone having a go at me today? :(
I was being sarcastic about architects :)
We could have it as the urban ballon... Start down Streatham, pick up people in brixton, then Stockwell... and onto work or the seaside....
Hmm, prevailing south-westerly winds in London means I'm seeing a Streatham/Catford/Greenwich/Stratford service as having a bit more viability here...
Hmm, prevailing south-westerly winds in London means I'm seeing a Streatham/Catford/Greenwich/Stratford service as having a bit more viability here...
the ballon has two people in already... not sure if there is room for a huge greenwich way detour...:D
e2a pt II. That building on the right looks very similar to that new one the have built next to Southwark Station.
Agreed - the Palestra building (architected by Will Alsop, he of Peckham Library).
More here (http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2885).
cosmic malcolm
04-02-2008, 16:34
Yes please!
Oh, and East Brixton station reopened, the Cross River Tram up and running, the market brought back to its former glory, Tate gardens put back to how they looked in 1907, a nice new prestigious public 'landmark' building for Brixton, the Coach & Horses reinstated, Cooltan rebuilt and lots of money usefully slopped around Coldharbour Lane/Somerleyton etc to give the kids something proper to do.
Sounds nice. :cool:
well, although ( i think) your point is they are ugly whether they are housing or offices, it does make me wonder what exactly they will be built for. Offices? More 'affordable' housing? They seem to be designed by someone who has no care or feeling about Brixton ( probably the same person ruining Dalston Junction) Design over aesthetics....
Which is my whole problem with "Future Brixton" consultation.None of the above queations are being answered clearly.Nor what residents input will be in practise.
Will land be sold to developers?Will the market remain affordable or will the Council attempt a "Covent Garden" regeneration.etc etc
Im not against modern buildings.I want to know what they will be for ie affordable housing etc.
OpalFruit
05-02-2008, 13:30
WTFOMGROFLCOPTR!!!!
That's all of Atlantic Road/Electric Lane/High Street Triangle gobbled up! Not a hope in hell, fuckers.
Editor - that's the high street at the bottom. The arches in the middle are up atlantic road - where the portugese deli is.
The large new building on the right is on top of Brady's. The Rec is to the left of that, between the two large buildings.
No - it's the wedge of land in between the two railway lines, between Popes Rd and Valencia Place. Brady's is off the picture, the other side of to the Railway line on the bottom R side of the picture.
Brixton needs a huge open public square right in the centre of course...most inviting at night :rolleyes:
Agreed - the Palestra building (architected by Will Alsop, he of Peckham Library).
More here (http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2885).It as ugly as fuck, that. Horrible, oppressive thing.
No - it's the wedge of land in between the two railway lines, between Popes Rd and Valencia Place. Brady's is off the picture, the other side of to the Railway line on the bottom R side of the picture.
Brixton needs a huge open public square right in the centre of course...most inviting at night :rolleyes:Ah, that makes much more sense!
Brixton could really use some new, high quality, inspired iconic architecture to help put the place on the map.
Since the Empress has been flattened, at the moment it's architecturally famous for, err, the Town Hall and, um, the Barrier Block.
Brixton isn't on the maps???
Minnie_the_Minx
05-02-2008, 13:43
WTFOMGROFLCOPTR!!!!
That's all of Atlantic Road/Electric Lane/High Street Triangle gobbled up! Not a hope in hell, fuckers.
Editor - that's the high street at the bottom. The arches in the middle are up atlantic road - where the portugese deli is.
The large new building on the right is on top of Brady's. The Rec is to the left of that, between the two large buildings.
what's that blob between the buildings - a hot air balloon?
OpalFruit
06-02-2008, 16:00
Brixton could really use some new, high quality, inspired iconic architecture to help put the place on the map.
Since the Empress has been flattened, at the moment it's architecturally famous for, err, the Town Hall and, um, the Barrier Block.
I completely agree.
Good quality exciting buildings which are accessible to the public, and inspire curiosity and admiration.
lang rabbie
06-02-2008, 17:48
Previously posted on wrong thread, doh!
The "Visioning Framework" for Future Brixton - a rather grand title for the consultation draft of the Masterplan - was originally to have been published at the end of January.
It doesn't appear to be on the Future Brixton website, nor is the Questionnaire which was supposed to follow the structure of the "Visioning Framework".
Has it been pulled?
I did hear that the full cabinet only got a presentation for the first time a few weeks ago on what Councillor McGlone and the Future Lambeth officers in regeneration had been allowing the consultant architects to come up with as proposals?
I posted that it was confusing have two threads on future brixton.Crispy the Mod did suggest combining them.I kept using this thread as it is the older one -instead of starting a new thread every time.
Latest meetings list FB consultation:
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/events/index.html
Yes please!
Oh, and East Brixton station reopened, the Cross River Tram up and running, the market brought back to its former glory, Tate gardens put back to how they looked in 1907, a nice new prestigious public 'landmark' building for Brixton, the Coach & Horses reinstated, Cooltan rebuilt and lots of money usefully slopped around Coldharbour Lane/Somerleyton etc to give the kids something proper to do.
All good stuff. I'd like to suggest that the end railway arch (where Atlantic Road meets Brixton Road) should be knocked through to allow better pedestrian circulation into Station Road as well. It would be comparatively cheap and would do wonders for access to the Station Road market and shops.
That simple and cheap measure would make access to a large, already largely pedestrianised area of the market far easier and more obvious!
Brainaddict
11-02-2008, 12:44
Urban regeneration:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/3_by_4_plot_of_green_space
I completely agree.
Good quality exciting buildings which are accessible to the public, and inspire curiosity and admiration.
Easier said than done though...Peckham Library for example may well be all of those things - depending on yr opinion - but it fails in the most basic function as a decent library.
bluestreak
11-02-2008, 13:24
i got the old public consultation questionnaire this morning. it was clear to me that many of the questions were loaded, though some didn't appear to be that obviously loaded. the idea that they're considering building high rise blocks on brixton station road is a bit shocking, but they can knock that fucking car park down and no mistake.
Brainaddict
11-02-2008, 13:30
Easier said than done though...Peckham Library for example may well be all of those things - depending on yr opinion - but it fails in the most basic function as a decent library.
Really? That's interesting. I don't like the building - I think it's a typical big-name architect ego project. When I said as much to a trainee archictect the other day he started wittering on about how the local library users loved it (which I didn't have the evidence to refute) and that it was responsible for the susbsequent regeneration of Peckham (which I highly doubted, in vigorous terms that upset him terribly :p ).
Well quite....has Peckham become Clapham because of one building? No. The idea that one public building can overcome poverty is laughable and more about headline grabbing than meaningful regeneration.
It may well function as a library now because they stripped some of the original fittings out due to the acoustic problems and constant issues around chaning lightbulbs (you couldn't at first!!!)
The natural ventilaition idea, while laudible, doesn't really work making it hot in the summer. Oh and to top it all....the library is on the 4th floor - hardly user friendly to the entire community.
I just feel whenever "regeneration" is mentioned by councils the lessons of Canary Wharf aren't being headed...it has to have a meaningful impact on the local community.
Urban regeneration:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/3_by_4_plot_of_green_space
Thats very funny.Also its accurate of the kind of stuff the Council come out with in there Lambeth Life.As well as there officers at "consultation" meetings.
Urban regeneration:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/3_by_4_plot_of_green_space
Thats very funny.Also its accurate of the kind of stuff the Council come out with in there Lambeth Life.As well as there officers at "consultation" meetings.
Dont know if this was covered earlier in the thread, but I received the questionnaire thing today. Why on earth do they want to know my sexual orientation? How will that affect the redevelopment of Brixton Market? I can understand the need for the question about whether I'm disabled or not, but gay/bi/straight - please?
Anyway - I strongly disagree with every proposal in there. The weird shit they wanna put in place of the market is just wrong.
I hate our council. I really do. Every contact I've ever had with them has been negative.
Its a vicious cycle - I know people who work for other councils in London and Lambeth is seen as the pits to work for. Resulting in us getting the dregs of public sector workers and as such an even worse council, making it even harder to attract talent.
Dont know if this was covered earlier in the thread, but I received the questionnaire thing today. Why on earth do they want to know my sexual orientation? How will that affect the redevelopment of Brixton Market? I can understand the need for the question about whether I'm disabled or not, but gay/bi/straight - please?
because they need to feel they've managed to cover all the variants in the community... do they have what religion you are? And why haven't I got a questionnaire? Am I to stockwell/Clapham way?
Just filled in my form!
Love the way they kept pushing for tourism and trying to get the all clear to fiddle about with the markets.
I love the way the pictures they have provided veer between indistinguishable from how it is now to completely fanciful so easily.
Is that the big spider from outside the Tate inside the buidling in the one for Brixton Exchange. And if so why is there no question about that? We might not want giant spiders in our buildings.
because they need to feel they've managed to cover all the variants in the community... do they have what religion you are? And why haven't I got a questionnaire? Am I to stockwell/Clapham way?
Yes, they ask about religion - however im assuming that could affect what they propose to do with the location of the church and the mosque. How is my sexuality going to affect town planning? More gay bars, by Lambeth council order or what? Just weird.
Yes, they ask about religion - however im assuming that could affect what they propose to do with the location of the church and the mosque. How is my sexuality going to affect town planning? More gay bars, by Lambeth council order or what? Just weird.
It's so they can build a gay mosque for disabled people located in the right part of Brixton...
ChrisSouth
14-02-2008, 16:44
It's so they can build a gay mosque for disabled people located in the right part of Brixton...
I think you're missing the point in quite a nasty discriminatory way, actually.
Anyway, you can't have a 'gay' mosque. Buildings don't have a sexuality (unless you're of the opinion of the foul Chris Moyles). Perhaps what you meant to state is that it's so that the council can build a mosque for gay disabled people, which is equally as nasty a thing to say.
Brainaddict
14-02-2008, 16:46
I think boohoo was joking ChrisSouth - and not in the way you think
[QUOTE=gabi;7106316]Dont know if this was covered earlier in the thread, but I received the questionnaire thing today. Why on earth do they want to know my sexual orientation? How will that affect the redevelopment of Brixton Market? I can understand the need for the question about whether I'm disabled or not, but gay/bi/straight - please?
QUOTE]
You actually dont have to answer this section of the questionairre as far as I know.Your answers to the specific questions re Brixton should still be taken to count.
I certainly wouldnt want to put a lot of very personal details including name and address altogether on one reply.We all now what happens to personal info.
Noticed they asked you your religous background "even if you are not currently practising".So you are defined by religion even if you reject it.This makes religion part of your identity as though its something you cant help like your skin colour.Im really starting to object to this.Like saying one is Muslim as though its something one cant criticise in any way.Religion is a choice it doesnt define you.
The Council says it needs this info "to make sure we are hearing from all of Lambeths diverse communities and to see if certain issues are more important to some groups than others."Also they wanted your address to see if there were "different views depending on where people where based."
Call me cynical but my experience of "consultation" is that officers use the above info to tailor results of consultation.If they dont get the answer they want they can use "indepth" interviews with "leading" members of the community who views are "underrepresented".It doesnt do any officers career any harm to suck up to community "leaders".
It's so they can build a gay mosque for disabled people located in the right part of Brixton...
Made me laugh-Perhaps I need to be sent on New Labours Citizenship Classes in how to live in diverse Britain:rolleyes:.
I lot of this stuff is beginning to sound like bollox to me.The present government is letting the rich stay rich and not redistributing wealth to build social housing etc.This means local Councils have to sell land and work with "partners" (property developers).
New Labour arent going to dop anything about the fundamental inequalities in this country.So gathering info on "diversity" makes it seem that they are progressive.
If you havent got the questionnaire.Its here with more info you can access at bottom of page.Theres a pdf questionnaire and one down the bottom to make things confusing.
http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/have_your_say/questionnaire.html
Noticed they asked you your religous background "even if you are not currently practising".So you are defined by religion even if you reject it.
Yes but one of the options is "no religion" if I remember correctly.
lang rabbie
17-02-2008, 20:05
Noticed they asked you your religous background "even if you are not currently practising".So you are defined by religion even if you reject it.This makes religion part of your identity as though its something you cant help like your skin colour.Im really starting to object to this.Like saying one is Muslim as though its something one cant criticise in any way. Religion is a choice it doesnt define you.
I'm not so sure if that religion has controlled your education. It reminds me of the exchange at Aldergrove airport c.1969:
waiting journalist: “Are you Protestant or Catholic?”
Lord Scarman: “Neither, I’m an agnostic.”
Journalist: “"That's not good enough, are you a Protestant agnostic or a Catholic agnostic?”
My sympathy is with the journalist. After a couple of months working in Belfast with middle-class public service professionals straddling the confessional divide, most of whom were hard-drinking and non church-goers, I could tell the protestant agnostics from the catholic agnostics pretty well.
I think you're missing the point in quite a nasty discriminatory way, actually.
Anyway, you can't have a 'gay' mosque. Buildings don't have a sexuality (unless you're of the opinion of the foul Chris Moyles). Perhaps what you meant to state is that it's so that the council can build a mosque for gay disabled people, which is equally as nasty a thing to say.
My point was why does the council need all this information? What plans will they action based on the information gained from the questions about sexuality, religion, shoe size, etc?
memespring
17-02-2008, 22:36
My point was why does the council need all this information? What plans will they action based on the information gained from the questions about sexuality, religion, shoe size, etc?
Making sure they are surveying a representative cross section I guess/hope (anything other than that would be spooky I grant you :) )
Making sure they are surveying a representative cross section I guess/hope (anything other than that would be spooky I grant you :) )
What happens if you are missing part of the community - say the over 60, Portuguese folk? Do you go and hassle them for their opinions?
Every single design I've seen for Tate Gardens looks shit. I did another 'then and now' photo feature today - http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/tate-library-garden.html - and it's awful how crap it looks compared to only forty years ago.
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/tate-library-garden-01.jpg
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/tate-library-garden-02.jpg
More here: http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/tate1.html
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/tate2.html
Don't worry. The Council's new plan will make it a new sort of shit at the trifling cost of £8m. :mad::rolleyes:
citydreams
20-02-2008, 12:53
What would LibDems do with the space Bob?
isvicthere?
20-02-2008, 14:27
Who in Brixton charges £3 for a coffee apart from maybe Caffe Nero?
My new favourite coffee place is Opus up acre lane - very good quality. Max-Olivers is also not bad and the Lounge does a good coffee for £1.50. During the day there's also San Marino on the main road.
I would suggest the Ritzy too but unfortunately they serve the worst cappucinos in Brixton.
Even Nero is £2.30 for a large cappuccino.
mccliche
20-02-2008, 14:34
Every single design I've seen for Tate Gardens looks shit. I did another 'then and now' photo feature today - http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/tate-library-garden.html - and it's awful how crap it looks compared to only forty years ago.
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/tate-library-garden-01.jpg
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/tate-library-garden-02.jpg
More here: http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/tate1.html
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/tate2.html
i'm shocked by that...they really must of been quite worthwile once upon a time then? anymore then & now pics?
i'm shocked by that...they really must of been quite worthwile once upon a time then? anymore then & now pics?
All the links down the right hand side of that page are then n nows.
i'm shocked by that...they really must of been quite worthwile once upon a time then? anymore then & now pics?Here's how they looked in 1907.
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/brixton-theatre-01.jpg
More: http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/tate1.html
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/tate2.html
ovaltina
20-02-2008, 15:39
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/images/tate-library-garden-01.jpg
I saw that pic and thought "but they couldn't have that these days, the fences, walls and fountains create too many places to hide", but then, think about Soho Square. Right in the middle of town and it still functions as a popular park.
I'm not so sure if that religion has controlled your education. It reminds me of the exchange at Aldergrove airport c.1969:
My sympathy is with the journalist. After a couple of months working in Belfast with middle-class public service professionals straddling the confessional divide, most of whom were hard-drinking and non church-goers, I could tell the protestant agnostics from the catholic agnostics pretty well.
Fair enough.Its depressing true.
I went to the two workshops on Somerleyton Road area and "Brixton Exchange" (Rec.Bradys and Kwiksave triangle).
The architects "Stock Woolstencroft" were well impressed by the Eds before and after pics of Brixton".Seems U75 is "feeding" into the consultation.
A few points:
1)The architects are looking at possibilities in the area on behalf of Lambeth.The Pics on the FB website are misleading as the examples the architects showed were interesting possibilities.
2)The whole of Brixton is a MDO(major development oppurtunity) with land owned by the Council and Developers.The arcades and high street are owned by the developers:(. The Council still owns plots of land and some major buildings-Popes road car park,Somerleyton road and REC.Also some Housing in central Brixton.
3)As the area is an MDO the idea of the Masterplan is that the Council set the agenda for development rather than greedy developers.
4) "Use Value" from Council land should be freed up to provide money for improvements(ie sell Council owned land).As there will be little public funding.
5)There will be some funding from LDA.Who have produced some docs re Brixton which we are not allowed to see as they are "commercially sensitive":rolleyes:.
6)Section 106 is up for consultation.S 106 is the money the developer pays to a Council to gain planning permission for large projects. (a legal bribe).This money will be ploughed back into the area.
The architects "Stock Woolstencroft" were well impressed by the Eds before and after pics of Brixton".Seems U75 is "feeding" into the consultation.Excellent! :)
The Future Brixton "Masterplan" is only the start of the process as "Supplementary Planning Documents" will be added to the Unitary Development Plan later.Also it seems to me that the Masterplan is basically loose guidelines rather than a fixed plan.
It seems to me to be more about urban design than what gets sold and what doesnt.Still the actual meetings did provide an arena for peoples fears about what may happen to Brixton.
Also expressed was the fact that plans are all very well but anything built has to be maintained and planners mustnt let developers get away with stuff like they have in the past.
People were assured that there will be a new Town Centre Mge set up:hmm:.
So if you treat the Masterplan as a wish list its fair enough.
Stock Woolstonecraft website:
http://www.stockwool.co.uk/STD/index1.html
An example the architects gave of a regenerated market is Santa Caterina market in Spain:
http://www.mercatsantacaterina.net/
To get to the picture gallery press the compass on the first page and then on the next page that comes up.Then play with the little black buttons on the right.
And this was another example from Rotterdam:
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1913
lang rabbie
23-02-2008, 19:03
An example the architects gave of a regenerated market is Santa Caterina market in Spain:
http://www.mercatsantacaterina.net/
Thanks for posting that link. It was a building site the last time I heard, as they discovered the ruins of a Roman Necropolis and a medieval monatery which stalled construction for years. [I suspect that is less of a problem than in Brixton, although the developers at Bermondsey Square were probably put out when about six times more archaeology was found a few inches under the car park tarmac than had been forecast.]
Bur of course the big difference is that Barcelona's markets are still owned by the municipality of Barcelona, which sees them as an essential part of the city life. By contrast, the City of London seems to be turning all its remaining market buildings into shopping centres.
I wish I wasn't so cynical, but something tells me that the property company owners of Market Row and Granville Arcade aren't currently looking at engaging an architect of the calibre of Enric Miralles & Benedetta Tagliabue (who designed the Scottish Parliament) as well as the new Mercat Santa Caterina.:(
And I notice you posted that there local Council owns the market not private property management company.Some of the Councils professed interest in Brixton will come up against commercial minded developers.In other parts of Europe strategic parts of economy are still regulated owned by local Councils.
I went to three of the "consultation" meetings.So have know got more of an idea.They werent that well attended.People were concerned that as LR posts above the quality of the design is likely not to be that high.As developers put forward plans then IMO local people are going to have to look at them and put in objections/criticisms.
As the Council say they want to involve us in Future Brixton this is something people can do.Though how happy local Councillors will be if inundated with emails on specific projects/develpments Im not so sure.The "Brixton Village" caused a lot of controversy with someone saying the Council should get it listed.(Im not so sure this is possible or desirable).
I did say that :
The Masterplan should include the shops on the South side of CHL and Atlantic rd from the Dogstar south.These shops are part of Brixton market area (Lounge,Phoenix,Bookmongers etc).It should also include Rushcroft rd,Vining st and Clifton Mansions residential areas.This housing contains a lot of people who make Brixton what it is-part of its "rich cultural diversity..will drive the expansion of the arts and creative industries." A lot of this housing is Council owned and is under threat of sale.
Opening up th arches behind the Kwiksave triangle is a something id like to see put into the Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG).If Brixton Village is redeveloped id like to see SPG to provide a through route using the arches and a mixture of small and larger retail units.(To protect the smaller traders).
I agree with multi-use of sites ie housing above retail and spaces put to different uses at different times of day.
Brixton Rec could be remodelled.Also the inside could be opened up to make it an indoor space like the Royal Festival Hall.This was originally what it was lie when it was first opened.
There could be a few brands in the market area (Currys and Tescos used to be in the market)If they were introduced sparingly again it would help the market.
The architects came up with a lot of interesting ideas.I would like to see the architects/planners kept on as consultants as the Masterplan progresses.Also to coment on proposals put forward by the Council/developers.
The FB does not say whether Popes road car park will be sold to a developer.The LDA report on Brixton is "commercially sensitive" .I think people are being asked to comment when they arer being given limited information.In general Im not keen on ant further land being sold to private developers unless the Council puts a good case.(Not the its good for Brixton-if u oppose this your holding Brixton back line of argument either).Nor do I agree that any further housing should be sold to private developers-though transfer to RSLS may be necessary.
lang rabbie
09-04-2008, 21:07
I posted this on 5 February:
The "Visioning Framework" for Future Brixton - a rather grand title for the consultation draft of the Masterplan - was originally to have been published at the end of January.
It doesn't appear to be on the Future Brixton website, nor is the Questionnaire which was supposed to follow the structure of the "Visioning Framework".
Has it been pulled?
I did hear that the full cabinet only got a presentation for the first time a few weeks ago on what Councillor McGlone and the Future Lambeth officers in regeneration had been allowing the consultant architects to come up with as proposals?
As noted on the new Tesco to Eat Brixton (http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=7350192&highlight=visioning#post7350192)thread, the Visioning Framework (http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/files/Brixton%20Town%20Centre%20Visioning%20Framework%20low%20res.pdf) has now mysteriously appeared on the Future Lambeth (http://www.futurebrixton.co.uk/thinking_so_far/)website.
I've just checked the document properties of the pdf file.
This says that the document was created on 31 January 2008 at 14:33:59 and last amended on 15 February at 15:35:59.
But I'm not aware of the bits of this document, especially those sections relating to people's houses being demolished for an expanded Tesco and new council offices, having been made available at any of the so-called "consultation" events in February or March.
Now, I may be being unduly cynical, but when did it finally get published in it entirety? If it hasn't been available to people at the consultation events, then it looks as though the whole consultation was just window dressing to confirm plans that had been drawn up behind closed doors by Lambeth and the London Development Agency.:mad:
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