Minutes:
Kevin Munnelly (LBB Head of Renewal and Regeneration) stated that the major scheme work was on plan and on budget. The work in the Beckenham Green area would be completed by 2nd December. There would be a temporary blacktop area available for the market in time for Christmas, as it was too cold to lay the final resin-bound surface, and power points would be connected. LBB were waiting for Thames Water to connect the water connections. The work at Thornton’s Corner was nearly completed and the highway would be resurfaced the following week.
The Group heard that benches had been ordered and it was planned to plant six trees before December, or at least within the first two weeks of December. Mr Munnelly advised that it was planned to fix 8 hanging lanterns on the established trees on Beckenham Green. These were LED and would need to be wired in. They were inexpensive, had a long life, and would be permanent.
The Chairman thanked F.M Conway for the very high quality work that they had undertaken with respect to paving.
David Wood noted the sewage works outside of Zizzi’s, and asked how long the High Street would be closed there. Assurance was provided that the Christmas works embargo also applied to utility companies and that no new holes should be dug in the High Street except in the case of emergencies.
Stephen Oliver (LBB Senior Planning Officer) informed the Group that the park benches would not be sited before Christmas. Gary Warner pointed out that there would be a limited amount of electricity that would be available for the Christmas Market on the Green and so this would need to be managed. Chloe-Jane Ross advised that the electricity supply would be limited to certain stalls. Mr Warner mentioned that the electricity supply would be fed to individual meters via a feeder pillar. Payment for the electricity would be managed by the Parks Team.
Chloe-Jane Ross announced that the Town Centre Team had secured funding for the new Christmas tree lights. Funding had been provided by the Town Centre Team, Residents and Business Associations and five individual businesses. The Christmas tree style illumination, as seen last year at Shortlands, would be sited on the hard standing area at Beckenham Green. There would be a cost of £600.00 per annum to erect, take down and store the tree.
David Wood alerted the Group to the lack of new paving along Bromley Road by St George’s Church. He expressed hope that new paving could be extended in front of the alms houses up to the junction with St George’s Road. Mr Munnelly assured the meeting that this information would be factored into the scheme design.
The Chairman asked what was going to happen regarding the paving at Kelsey Square. The Chairman was informed that the paving at Kelsey Square would be made from red/grey clay. The pattern of the paving would reflect the brickwork of the building. Mr Munnelly informed the Group that test paving had been laid outside of Hak’s Barbers, and the rest of the paving would be laid on 27th November.
Nick Goy expressed thanks to Stephen Oliver for providing the Safety Audit report.
Mr Goy made reference to the new kerbs that had been chipped/damaged and had been noted previously by Sarah Niblock. FM Conway said that these would be replaced. Mr Goy asked whether this would involve damaging the newly laid tarmac road surfaces, fronting Beckenham Green. Derek Sampson stated that they would extract the granite kerbs from the rear, ie. via the pavement, put in new kerbstones, and re-seal the join with a bitumen sealant.
Mr Goy asked if anyone had checked if the benches on the Green were comfortable. Mr Oliver clarified that the benches would not arrive until the following week. Mr Goy asked if anyone had checked the design and Mr Oliver responded that they would be traditional wooden park benches that had been adapted to deter rough sleepers.
Mr Goy made a comparison with brand new designer seats at the revamped Greenwich Market food court. They were all eye catching, made from black granite and had stainless steel arms. They looked stunning but were uncomfortable.
Mr Goy queried the space, if any, under the seat of the new benches. He stated that when in a chair, or park bench, one stands up by drawing one’s feet back under the seat. This is so one's centre of gravity is above one's feet. Therefore, standing up raises one's centre of gravity directly over one's feet. This avoids straining one's back. Indeed more basically, it is nigh on impossible to stand up otherwise.
Mr Goy continued that if the area under the bench was solid brick, part of the planter, in order to stand up, one would be obliged to do a bottom-shuffle forwards in an undignified manner, until one's centre of gravity was above one's feet.
Mr Goy queried whether the new street lamp heads were of the design presented to the group. It was said they were and Mr Old stated that the street lighting was looking good.
A query was raised concerning the effects of tree roots on pavements. Mr Oliver clarified that the trees being planted were Elm Trees, these had been selected by the tree officers and it was anticipated that the tree roots would grow down. If there were going to be any issues with tree roots, there would no visible problems for 15/20 years.
Mr Munnelly reported that a pre-application planning consultation had been submitted with respect to Kelsey House. More details would be forthcoming in due course. It was uncertain if the application was for re-development or refurbishment. The Chairman expressed the view that the design of Kelsey House was out of keeping with the surrounding buildings and hoped the opportunity would be taken for a more sympathetic new build design.
Regarding the adjacent closed public toilet block, Mr Wood asked if a clause could be incorporated into any sale of the site to compel new owners to host a community toilet there. Mr Munnelly replied that it was not possible to state this as a condition of sale. The Chairman suggested that the Planning Department should encourage any new owners to do so.
Chloe-Jane Ross queried if the previous bid to buy the toilet block had progressed. Mr Munnelly responded that the toilet block was still for sale. Mr Goy stated that it was important to keep the flower beds at Thornton’s Corner.David Wood confirmed that the Ironstone tree there now had a Tree Preservation Order
The Chairman stated that in the long term, he would like to see the River Beck brought above ground, and that the water from the river could be part of a living High Street. The Chairman was also in favour of the BID supporting a miniature train-style tourist ride going along the High Street and around Kelsey Park. He said it was important to be aspirational.
Marsha Berg asked if, as part of any redevelopment plans at Thornton’s Corner, the street cleaning contractors (Kier)could be provided with a screened storage area for the sacks of waste they collected during the day. She also referenced the three recycling bins at Beckenham Junction. These were located opposite a pole and caused obstruction at busy times. She stated wheelchair users and those with pushchairs were finding access a problem.
Mr Goy referred to the road-direction sign in the flower bed outside Coppers restaurant (former Police Station). He said the rear was patchily painted in grey and two shades of green. He asked for it to be cleaned and painted green. Mr Warner said that the sign itself is too large and motorway-like; it will be replaced and all signage will be reviewed.
RESOLVED that:
(1) Kier is supplied with a storage area for refuse sacks in the vicinity of Thornton’s Corner.
(2) Prominent signage should be erected to show the way to Kelsey Park.
(3) A suggestion be made to the Planning Department that any proposed development of Kelsey House should incorporate the hosting of a community toilet scheme.
(4) The signage pole outside of 76 High Street is removed as it was sited in the middle of the pavement.
(5) A report is brought back to the Working Group with an update on High Street Road Signs.