BMH: Before and After views

While having another look at the 3D model of the proposed replacement for Bernard Morgan House I found out how to make reasonable before and after images (sorry about the lighting - I haven't worked that bit out yet):

Before

After

City of London 2015 Local Plan

A number of the objections to the Bernard Morgan House proposals have made reference to the 2015 City of London Local Plan document.  Here is a copy:

Click to read (or download)

BA objection to Bernard Morgan House development

The deadline  is 30th August for submissions regarding planning application 16/00590/FULL, the demolition and redevelopment of Bernard Morgan House.

The Barbican Association have submitted their response:

Click to read the whole document

Works start on Bernard Morgan House

It seems that some initial works will start on Bernard Morgan House this long weekend.  The suggestion is that this will involve putting up hoardings and preparing the interior of the building for demolition.

There may well be some noise

It was suspected that demolition was about to start, but the City says no:

Any works undertaken inside the building do not require permission.  In order to demolish the building the applicant would have to apply to the City of London Corporation for a determination as to whether prior approval would be required for the method of demolition.  This would give the Corporation the opportunity to regulate the demolition and minimise the impact of that activity but would not enable the Corporation to prevent demolition as the building is not in a conservation area and is not listed.  An application for prior approval has not been received.

Signs of demolition

New local community centre?

A group of local residents see a need for a local community centre and are running a survey.

Read the whole notice

Bernard Morgan House - an updated Google View

At the end of January this year Taylor Wimpey held an event at which they presented their initial plans for the replacement of Bernard Morgan House in the form of some very misleading drawings.  I took the proposed building footprint together with height information gleaned at the meeting to make an approximate 3D model of the proposals.

I also asked Taylor Wimpey to let us have a 3D model of what they actually proposed.  I've asked for this several times since, but Taylor Wimpey decided we could not have a 3D model, even though it should be as easy for them as a couple of mouse clicks to export to .kmz format.

Now the planning application has been submitted.  Taylor Wimpey still refuse to let us have a 3D model of their proposed building, but another interested party has repeated the exercise I did and has made a new 3D model based on the submitted plans.

An example of how the 3D model looks in Google Earth

The above image is a snapshot of the new 3D model viewed in Google Earth.  To get the full effect, and to be able to 'fly' around the building and see it from any angle:

• Install Google Earth.
• Download the new .kmz file by clicking here.

City energy consultation dispensation

The City applied for dispensation from the requirement to consult with residents for electricity and gas contracts.  This dispensation has now been granted:

Click to read the document

I'll note that on page 2 of the document the tribunal case officer explains that the judge directed that the notice be sent to leaseholders and RTAs.  To my knowledge the Ben Jonson House Group RTA did not receive a copy.  The copy linked to above was sent to (and indeed is addressed to) leaseholders only.

Update:  The letter was received by the house group chair on 23td August.  The envelope was post-marked the 19th August.

What should the City sound like?

The City of London is consulting on their Noise Strategy 2016 to 2026 draft (see the bottom of this post).

Here is a letter introducing the strategy:
____

Draft Noise Strategy 2016 to 2026

What should the City of London sound like?

The draft Noise Strategy 2016 to 2026 is seeking views from all stakeholders on the outline for the strategic direction for noise policy. It sets out the steps the City will take and has taken, to maintain or improve the City's noise environment.

Noise is an issue of concern for both City residents and workers and most want action to reduce it. Noise or 'sound' resulting from the vibrancy of the City can be iconic and invigorating for many residents, workers and visitors. Whatever your view, we invite you to take part in our consultation.

PDF below or also available on the link to our website below.

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/noisestrategy

Consultation responses to rachel.sambells@cityoflondon.gov.uk by Monday 17^th October 2016.

Many thanks

Rachel Sambells BSc MPH CMCIEH

Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner

Team Manager – Pollution Control
City of London Corporation
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7332 3313
Mob. +44 (0) 7920710742

Website: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/pollutioncontrol

____

Click to read the whole document

What is a valid objection to a planning application

The London borough of Richmond on Thames have prepared a lists of valid reasons to object to planning applications.  Just in case the Richmond web link breaks I have saved a copy of the list of grounds for objection:

Click to read the whole list

Bernard Morgan House: Comments by 30th Aug

The deadline for comments (objections) to the Taylor Wimpey planning application to replace Bernard morgan House is now 30th August.

Below is the is a message explaining how the City ended up with this date.  The Evening Standard press notice Catherine refers to appeared on August 9th.

____

We have no control over when planning applications are submitted and must determine applications within a timeframe set out by the government.

We have 13 weeks to determine an application of this size and if this deadline is not met the applicant can submit an appeal against non-determination to the Planning Inspectorate, unless the applicant agrees to an extension of time.  The deadline for comments is 30^th August, which is the deadline given in the press notice printed in the Evening Standard.  A deadline for comments needs to be given to enable us to consider comments and for the applicant to consider any amendments they would wish to make as a result of the comments received. 

The earliest Committee meeting that the application could be heard at is the meeting on 25^th October.

Catherine Linford

Senior Planning Officer

Department of the Built Environment

City of London

020 7332 1352

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

VFM now provide estate TV service support

In a message dated 3rd Aug, the BEO tell us that from 1st Aug VFM (the fibre Internet people) will be providing estate wide support of the TV service ...
____

Dear residents

From 1 August VFM (Vision Fibre Media) and not MDTV will be responsible for maintaining the TV signal for the Barbican Estate.

The VFM 24 hour switchboard number is 0207 112 8615 or via email sharon@vfibremedia.com

If in doubt about your TV equipment please contact the Repairs Contact Centre on barbicanrepairs@cityoflondon.gov.uk or 0207 029 3909 first, as if there is no fault with the signal or your equipment is faulty, you will be recharged the cost of a visit by VFM.

BMH: Planning submitted again

The Taylor Wimpey planning application for what is currently Bernard Morgan House has been submitted and made available on the City of London planning site.

Comments (objections) on this application must be received within 14 days of the date of the memo giving notice. The memo is dated 2016-08-02, so 14 days means the deadline for comments is 2016-08-16.  Send comments (objections) to Catherine.Linford@cityoflondon.gov.uk.

It is not possible to link directly to the planning application because the City planning web site is rubbish.  To find the plans, go to the simple search page and enter "16/00590/FULL",  in the bottom search box and hit the search button.

Here is the Golden Lane elevation of the proposed building with the outline of the current Bernard Morgan House shown with a blue dotted line (which you can only see if you zoom in):

Click to see the detail

 And here is a document called the Planning Statement:

Click to read the whole statement

VFM: service interruptions for TV service upgrade

From the BEO:

____

Vision Fibre Media Ltd will be upgrading the communal TV system which supplies signals to your home over the next 12 weeks commencing 1st August.

There may be some slight interference to your TV sets whilst the work is carried out to your block or tower but all your programming will be unaffected once complete.

The work will enable the system to receive additional Sky + and Sky Q signals if you have a subscription or are contemplating taking one out.

VFM will be promoting alongside Sky all the additional services available within your block in line with the programme so please watch out for emails and leaflets to ensure you do not miss out.

Please note that these are optional extra services and that all existing TV services will be unaffected.

If you are interested in additional services that the TV system can provide please contact Vision Fibre Media on 020 7112 8615. The works will be commencing from the 2nd week in August.

Works commence in the 2nd week of August. Ben Jonson House will be done in the 3rd week of the works.

Home Improvements

The recent update letter from the BEO included links to the newly updated information for those wishing to carry out home improvements.

The City has a home improvements page on their website:

Click to visit the home improvements page

... and there is a new version of the Home Improvements Pack which covers everything from asbestos to Garchey removal.  Gripping, and important, stuff:

Click to read the whole pack

BEO update letter

Michael Bennett, the Barbican Estate Manager, has sent out a letter giving us an update on a number of "lease enforcement and other" matters:

Click to read the letter