There are major concerns with the new boatyard proposal!
The SDMBHA supports the development of a better boatyard but this current proposal is not a better solution it will eventually undermine the boatyard and make it unsustainable long term, we ask for proper consultation and co-design involvement.
So far we have
Contacted and met with local Councillors to bring this to their attention.
Met with Phil Cotman, Harbour Master to raise objections to the evictions and the boatyard design proposals and consultation process.
Sought legal advice from Southwark Law Centre who have created a legal response which sets out our next course of action making the following demands:
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The Council immediately cease plans to evict users of boatyard containers without a right to return;
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The Council confirm on or before 14July that the Vacation Letter is rescinded and/or has no legal basis and that no formal 'section 41 notice' will be sent;
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The Council provides Southwark Law Centre with Housing Needs Assessment (RRR), Equalities Impact Assessment; the 'Health and Safety review', Tree and ecology surveys; Environmental Impact Assessment; and any correspondence setting out
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the considerations that led to boatyard users being deemed core and non core businesses; and when the Council decided to require boatyard users to vacate, and when the Council first obtained the evidence purportedly make this a necessity.
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Members of the South Dock Marina Stakeholder Group are entitled to see these documents as per the Terms of Reference, and in line with the expectations of collaboration established from previous commitments from yourself and the Council. In addition, this information is formally requested under a Freedom of Information Act / Environmental Information & Regulations request (as appropriate).
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Members of the SDMBHA and all boatyard users are included in early and meaningful consultation on all development proposals for the South Dock Marina (in line with Gunning principles), as required by the planning regime and as the members have come to legitimately expect; and
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No works or vacation of the site for such works occur without the proper planning avenues having been followed and planning permission obtained.
BUT We also need you, this is how YOU can help!
Follow the actions 1 2 & 3 above.
We have drafted a letter which you can edit and use to voice your concerns.
Here are the SDMBHA’s comments on the proposal and the consultation.
ISSUES WITH THE CONSULTATION PROCESS INCLUDE
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Unreasonably short notice, single unworkable engagement time offered to respond to latest proposal - Only 3 days notice!
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No way to communicate our comments
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Drop in session at unsuitable time for most
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Our attempts for design collaboration have been ignored
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Repeated requests to see the architects brief and surveys informing decision making ignored
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Businesses affected have not been represented in stakeholder group or consulted
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No equalities impact assessment
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Poorly implemented and wholly inadequate engagement process
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Many concerns and issues that have already been raised have been ignored
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No consultation with the boatyard users to define needs
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No consideration for the wider local community needs
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No consideration for the needs of the River Thames boating communities
ISSUES WITH THE DESIGN PROPOSAL INCLUDE
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Separating the boatyard from the businesses and communities serving & using prevents these businesses and yard from vital operation and expansion
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Preventing boaters from living on their boats while working on them in the yard makes it unviable for many
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No evidence to support any of the alleged health & safety issues
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None, or very limited, modelling of boatyard operations and how they will accommodate larger and longer vessels
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There is limited permeability and access between zones which creates further health & safety issues
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Boatyard working space is significantly reduced- it needs to be expanded across the whole site
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Reduced working area for small businesses threatens the viability of operations
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Opportunities for business expansion is reduced
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Larger boats not accommodated in the proposal
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SDMBHA proposals and ideas put forward have been ignored
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Workshops are too tightly compressed and difficult to access
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No direct access to the workshops making large deliveries very difficult
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No environmental impact information shared
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Major Loss of existing community garden and large mature trees bring major negative impact to wildlife, protected species + health, wellbeing and social value
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No new community garden or any mitigation for this in these designs
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Scale, quality and permanence of community facilities significantly reduced.
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Inadequent visualisations not providing enough detail or explanation
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Tight and long circulation routes between the workshops and the boatyard
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Demolition of existing building - which could be refurbished and improved- flies directly against national sustainability policies
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No clarity or information on what is being proposed for existing containers
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No equalities impact assessment carried out for any users
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No engagement with concerns raised about the costs, terms, population or management of container workshops
Feedback Form
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