BEECHOLME DIARY - August 2007 - plus TRA notes

THE BEECHOLME DIARY

The TRA (Tenants & Residents Association) has arranged a bouncy castle for the children (3 and upwards) on the main green on Thur 23 August - all welcome.

Remember, just click on any poster or article to see it full size in a separate window
Allotment details cont.

As I'm secretary to the TRA you can either contact me at my email address above, drop in to the next meeting (if you want to wait that long) or email Micheal Shore (chairman of the TRA): tra@beecholme.co.uk

The next TRA meeting is on Tue 25th of September.
Write it in your dairy now.
This will be the first "Enhanced" TRA meeting
combining the
Hackney Homes run "Estate Committee" meetings with the TRA meetings.

UPDATED end of June

I've added information and articles to some of my earlier posts - so don't forget to scroll down to the bottom to see the updated versions.


and remember - to see any photos or articles full size simply "click" on them or "right click" and select "open in a new tab" or "open in a new window"


(Please leave your comments by clicking on "COMMENTS" at the bottom of each post.)

Neighbourhood Regeneration, Lea Bri Rd & Upp Clapton Rd applications

Old Tram depot 2007 application for demolition & redevelopment

As you are no doubt aware, local residents are being asked if they have any objections or comments about the proposed (up to 4 storey) new building complex planned for 35-41 Lea Bridge Road. As yet there are no drawings on the application, just an app for demolition (14 Aug 2007, 15.30)

-----------------

The proposal for 38-40 Upper Clapton Rd

As for the plans for the workshops at 38-40 Upper Clapton Road, where the plan is for a very big building complex, drawings of which are available and one of which is above:

The 4 storey building will inevitably reduce daylight for a few while increasing the population density in an area that doesn't have adequate social infra-structure as is.

All necessary contact details are below.

The planning application number for 35-41 Lea Bri Rd, E5 9QB is 2007/0825
Planning officer is Gillian Nicks,
ph: 0208 356 8350, fax: 0208 356 8087, email: gillian.nicks@hackney.gov.uk

The planning application no for 38-40 Upper Clapton Rd, E5 8BQ is 2007/0090
contact Ryan Darby (Major Team) to give him your view on 0208 356 8442, fax:0208 356 8087, email: ryan.darby@hackney.gov.uk

Check out the plans online at:

http://www.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/mvm/online/pl/ApplicationSearch.aspx

this link takes you to where you have to enter a planning app no.
that is 2007/0090 or 2007/0825

Once you get the application up you have to click on the no again at the top left then on the next page look for a box with "DOCUMENT" in it at bottom right.
That will get you the actual architectural drawings.
You can download or view them online.

The drawings for the workshops was a real surprise.
It really is a city-centre high density complex, not just one more residential block to match the surroundings.

TAKE A LOOK FOR YOURSELF.

And please take the time to let the planning dept know your views,
whatever they might be.

I'd like to see belonging to (or getting advise from) an
organization like
http://www.openhouse.org.uk/openhouse/home.html
mandatory for all planners and architects.

This is from their site:

"Arts Council England, London is delighted to announce that Open House London has been appointed as the host organisation to incubate a new agency to promote and advise on art in the public realm in the capital. The new agency, funded by the Arts Council and supported by Open House for a two year pilot period, will support the network of individuals and organisations working in the commissioning and production of public art in London.
Research carried out in 2005 into the level of support and advice in the field of public art in London established that the capital currently lacks a central point of information and advice. The new agency, affiliated with Open House, will be established to address these gaps.
It will offer an advocacy, advisory and information service, an archive and research base and professional networking and development opportunities for artists, commissioning agencies, architects and planners involved in the sector, aiming to inspire and encourage high quality new art commissions that will shape and animate the city.
Open House has established itself as one of the leading education organisations on architecture and the built environment in London. It runs the Open House London annual event showcasing the capital’s architecture, as well as tailored education programmes all year round for children and young people, as well as design awareness seminars for councillors and planners in Local Authorities. "


check it out!

Bin cage bad design PLUS UPDATE AUGUST

(below: August 2007 addition to original posting)


(click on any picture - as above - to see it full size)

DESIGN 2

Having taken a second look at my proposed bin sized wall/gate design I have an alternative design. I used my own "Design Protocols" and although the brick design below beat the current wire cages hands down there was still room for improvement. Indeed, I'm sure this design can improved upon.

My new design allows for future changes in the number of bins used and their size. I say size as the sides are re-positionable and therefore replaceable.

To maintain the lowest profile and not create any "out of sight" areas the sides are again the size of the bins plus only a centimetre or two.

The structural design of the sides can easily allow for a roof or lid to be attached at a later date if required. They can be made or either wood or a metal and slatted and painted to match adjacent structures.

If you have seen a bin surround you like of have any ideas or suggestions
please leave a note in "COMMENTS" below or click the envelope image email link.


(BELOW IS THE ORIGINAL POSTING)

TO ENLARGE THE ILLUSTRATION ABOVE, SIMPLY CLICK ON IT.
If you have "tabs" enabled in your browser, right click and select "open in a new tab" or if you have a scroll wheel on your mouse, press down on it to make the wheel "click" - same result.

Above is an email illustration I put together to suggest one alternative. Though going back to brick, the proposed structure would offer no greater place to hide than the bins themselves.
In some cases - such as No.2 above it offer no place to hide at all.

Living in London we have all seen suspicious activities taking place in half hidden doorways, stairways and bin sheds on council estates especially.

Our estate, though one of the least targeted by criminals did have transients do the occasional "deal" in the brick outbuilding used to house the bins. Consequently this hiding place was demolished by the request of the residents in the assumption that a suitable solution was in hand.

Unfortunately, either because it was the first thing (and cheapest) that came to mind, or it was left to the sub-contractor, the worst possible solution was the result.

Why such bad design (or lack of proper design and procurement procedures) from a few council departments is allowed is a constant source of surprise - to me at least.

I doubt the contractor would like the same poor quality of design in his own home.

I will be submitting my proposal for the new bin surrounds to our next TRA and Estate Committee meetings as well as ascertaining that the work can be undertaken under the Environmental Improvement Budget - as indeed the demolition of the old out-buildings and installation of the green wire cages were.

Look out for my next entry for the result.

This is a typical example of why something like my "Design & Purchasing Protocols" should be in place. We would avoid the unnecessary expense and pollution of our visual environment:
See my design "GOLD STANDARD" at bottom (in the April posts).

Star Trek desktop logos with "Systems Online" & "Incoming Subspace Signal"

Just for fun - for all fellow Star Trek fans:
"Systems Online" desktop for your computer.
& I've just found this "Incoming Subspace Signal" logo also
great as a desktop

Here's the United Planets logo with "Systems Online" underneath.

It's on a black background so centre it and colour the surrounding black - it looks great!

HOW TO (in xp):

Click on the image above to see the full size, slightly larger jpg then right click on it and select "save picture as" and save to your "received files" folder - (if you have one) or to "desktop".

Then, right click on a clear spot on your desktop and scroll down to "properties" and click on it.

When the "Display properties" window comes up click on the "Desktop" tab.
Then simply "browse" for the the Star Trek jpg you've just saved, centre it (not "stretch") and set the background to black then "apply" and you're away.
The same goes if you choose the "Incoming Subspace Signal"

Enjoy!