Deptford Green School scoops award for best UK educational building

A NEW Cross school’s £32m new site has scooped an award for the best educational building in the UK.

Deptford Green School was awarded the Best Education Building at the Local Authority Building Control’s (LABC) National Building Excellence Awards.

The secondary school, which unveiled its new site in Edward Street last September, has extensive sports facilities, a radio station, and two outdoor classrooms on the school’s roof for its 1,300 pupils.

Speaking of Deptford Green School, LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said: "As well as providing a sound learning environment, the buildings are energy-efficient and provide natural ventilation and light, exceeding the sustainability targets set out at the start of the project.

He added that challenges the project team had faced included bringing the students together on a single site, including sustainable technologies and making the buildings accessible for disabled people.

The school received a multimillion pound cash injection under the Building Schools for the Future programme and was designed by Watkins Grey International LLP and built by Costain.

Residents and councillors speak out as Thames Water ‘super sewer’ threatens Deptford landmarks

Council representatives and Deptford residents have presented their objections to a proposed ‘super sewer’ that will disrupt a Lewisham school, church and green at a public hearing.

Thursday morning’s hearing took place as part of the Planning Inspectorate’s ongoing examination of Thames Water’s application to build a 25km long sewage tunnel..

The £4.2bn construction, running from Acton in the east of London, to Abbey Mills in the west, would involve the excavation of Crossfield Green on Deptford Church Street and disrupt local services for at least three years.

Local residents and business owners expressed concerns about the project’s effect on noise, pollution, travel and local business trade.

Thames Water estimates that the noise level caused by construction will average 52-65 decibels and that 32 HGVs a day will visit the site at peak times.

Nick Williams, speaking on behalf of the Don’t Dump on Deptford’s Heart campaign, said: “Crossfield Green is at the heart of our community and losing it until 2022 is a very significant loss. Its use is already blighted by the threat of development.”

Construction would also affect St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Grade 1 listed St Paul’s Church, which sit on either side of the proposed site.

Edward Hill, Coordinator at Friends of Greenwich Maritime Museum, said of the eighteenth century baroque church: “This is a wonderful, wonderful church. Putting a sewer next to it says something about how we hold our religion, our culture, our history, our heritage. If we destroy our history, if we destroy our heritage, we are destroying our future.”

Councillor Crada Onuegbu, Lewisham Cabinet Member for Youth, said: “All the efforts we’ve made to make the environment a place that people would actually enjoy being in, all that is just going to be removed from the local people.”

She continued: “This decision is totally, totally wrong, and I would urge you to reconsider. Deptford deserves a chance, the local people in Deptford deserve an improved area. Please don’t take away what we’ve worked so hard to build.”

However, Philip Stride, Head of London Tideway Tunnels for Thames Water, has attempted to reassure residents: “We do understand the very important role that St Joseph’s school and St Paul’s Church play in the local community. Within the context of the works proposed we want to do all we can to support both the work of the school and that of the church.”

He added: “In addition, we’re also keen to work with the London Borough of Lewisham and the local community in developing the design of the new open space so it suits the needs of the local people.”

The plans for the Tideway Tunnels scheme have faced opposition since they were first announced in November 2011. The development was originally planned for Borthwick Wharf, but was changed after the first phase of public consultation.

The scheme also faced opposition from residents of Shadwell in May 2012 over a different tunnel. If permission is granted, construction is due to begin in 2015 and end by 2023.

Revised footbridge designs for Greenwich Reach/Deptford Creek

New designs for the proposed swing bridge over the mouth of Deptford Creek have been submitted to Greenwich planners, and the design documents are on the planning website. Don't be fooled by the visualisations, however, they are the same as the ones that were posted with the (first revision)  application earlier this year. 

The pictures I've posted here are taken from the new detailed design planning statement. Galliard Homes - the developer of the New Capital Quay which has to provide the swing bridge as part of its section 106 commitment (although as I explained in my last post, got agreement for some extra floors on top of its existing buildings to 'pay' for the bridge) has now commissioned some proper bridge designers - Flint & Neill - to examine the proposal and ensure it is workable. Despite the fact that it's a small structure, a certain level of experience is required to properly design a cable-stayed swing span bridge. 

The revised design is a lot less flashy but according to those in the know, looks like it might actually work from a structural point of view. The mast height has been lowered, the arrangement of the counterweight has been changed and various details of the design have been adjusted to reduce the amount of future maintenance required. Reading the planning details, it sounds like the initial proposal was, shall we say, unworkable?

One glaring omission from the documents so far is any firm commitment on operation - an issue which is particularly thorny for the Creek's boat dwellers and those who use it for goods deliveries such as Priors.

Creekside Cafe

Creekside Café is a friendly, independent café in the creative heart of Deptford. Offering breakfast, lunch, snacks, lovely coffee and homemade cakes.

Relax and enjoy the exhibition by local artists. Go on a sunny day and sit outside amongst the jasmine and herbs.

The believe in fresh and tasty, that’s why they do things like make their own houmous and roast their own chicken. They have a choice of homemade soup, salads and quiches change daily, along with freshly made paninis and sandwiches.

They also believe in local and ethical – so all theri meat is from WH Wellbeloved in Deptford, their eggs are free-range and come from a farm in Kent, their tea, sugar and hot chocolate are all Fairtrade and they source many ingredients from the local traders in Deptford.

Their coffee (which gets a whole page) is always made with organic milk.

Venue: 

Unit A008/009, Faircharm, 8-12 Creekside, London, SE8 3DX

Deptford Project Cafe

Since its arrival in 2008, a disused train carriage has become part of the fabric of Deptford High Street. Thanks to a collaborative art project, both the disused railway yard and the carriage itself were transformed, the latter housing a surprisingly cosy café and the yard hosting open-air film screenings and other events. The colourful, partly covered decking area has a surprise waiting in the shed at one end – a WC masquerading as a shrine to Elvis. The café is popular with families for early brunches and lunches, so you may find that the menu becomes more limited after about 1pm on weekends.

On our visit, the soup and specials had run out, but helpful staff were ready to suggest additions that could be made to the available dishes. Baked potatoes and sandwiches with an array of toppings and fillings form the backbone of the menu, along with a choice of salads. No need to stop for a full meal, however – excellent coffee, fresh juices and generous wedges of own-made cakes make it a good pit-stop.

Venue:

121-123 Deptford High Street
London
SE8 4NS

Deptford Reach

Deptford Reach helps people rebuild lives that have been damaged by homelessness, mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse and social exclusion.

From their centre in London SE8, they offer a wide range of support, advice, training and practical help. Their watchwords are respect and individual support.

Deptford in south east London is one of the most deprived districts anywhere in the UK with very high levels of social exclusion. That's what makes their. work so vital.

Deptford Reach is a drop-in centre for adults over 16 years of age who are vulnerable through homelessness, mental ill-health, loneliness, social exclusion and severe poverty.

They support more than 70 people each weekday through a programme of courses, workshops, activities and advice sessions. Last year over 675 new service users came through their doors.

Origins

Deptford Reach, until recently called The Deptford Churches Centre, came into being in 1979.

Their founders were largely committed Christians from different denominations who united to reach out and help the homeless and marginalised of Deptford and South London. This has continued to be their aim for the past 30 years.

They take a non-judgmental stance, offering warmth and opportunity to all. The focus of all their work is enabling clients to progress and move on in ways that are right for them.

Prince of Wales 

After a recent visit to the centre by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, their private secretary wrote:

Their website:  http://www.deptfordreach.org.uk/index.html

ONESE8 Development In Deptford

OneSE8 is an award-winning development with its own exclusive 24 metre lap pool and gym, on-site restaurant and convenience store, 24 hour concierge and lifestyle management.

Renowned for its innovation and vision, St James Urban Living has created this fantastic mix of inspired architecture and affordable designer living, offering a unique range of facilities and dedicated services for residents. OneSE8 combines choice, convenience and style. 

With everything on its doorstep, OneSE8 is perfectly positioned to get the best out of London living. The trendy bars and restaurants at Blackheath and Greenwich are just a short ride away.  This is an area steeped in history with the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum open to all. Head for the bright lights of Canary Wharf with all of its shops, waterside bars and restaurants, and the many attractions of Cabot Hall. 

Deptford has reportedly become one of the most vibrant, creative communities in London. With its close proximity to Goldsmiths College, known for its contributions over time to the arts and sciences, Deptford has been home to many recognizable artists.  Artists such as Damien Hurst, Sarah Lucas, and Abigail Lane are alumni of Goldsmiths who began their careers in the Deptford area. 

Living at OneSE8 makes you part of an artistic revival that is taking place in Deptford.  St James strongly believe that stimulating and challenging art should be part of everyone's life.  At OneSE8 it is renowned sculptor Charles Haddock's striking 'Caesura IV', that forms the focal point in the landscaped pocket park along with Matthias Benison's Filament Winding Carbon Bench. 

Depford Regeneration Plan

Developers behind a £1 billion plan to regenerate Deptford today said they hoped to turn the run down riverside neighbourhood into a thriving “Shoreditch of south London.”

Ambitious proposals to build 3500 homes, as well as shops and restaurants, on the site of the former historic royal docks where Queen Elizabeth I knighted Sir Francis Drake are due to be submitted to Lewisham council planners within days.

The 40 acre Convoys Wharf wasteland opposite the gleaming towers of the Docklands financial district has lain derelict for 13 years with no public access to the waterfront.

The latest masterplan for drawn up by urban designers Sir Terry Farrell on behalf of developers Hutchison Whampoa would create three new parks and convert the sole surviving historic buildings - the Grade II Victorian Olympia warehouse - into a new  cultural centre for south east London.

There would also be a 270 metre long jetty parallel to the riverbank used as an London’s first “island park” in the Thames that will be served by the Clipper riverboat service.

Sir Terry said: ”This will be a real transformational scheme, I can’t think of any other in London where there will be such a big transforming effect.”

Sir Terry told the Standard the remarkably rich history of Deptford - it is linked with figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Christoper Marlowe and Samuel Pepys - and its growing reputation as a “cultural hub” colonised by artisits gave it huge potential.

He said: ”You have got Goldsmiths nearby and there are lots creative people living here. I think this is the equivalent of Hoxton or a Shoreditch of the south.”

Many of the homes at Convoys Wharf will be in three high rise towers of up to 46 storeys with luxury apartments at the top.

Sir Terry said he thought the scheme would attract more “well off” Londoners to live in Deptford but “I don’t see this as an obvious location for selling off-plan overseas.”

The scheme, which will create 2000 new jobs, including 1000 in construction, has proved already controversial locally because of what has been described as it its “extraordinary denmsity” and because only 500 of the homes will be affordable.

Roo Angell, a member of the Deptford Is campaign group said: ”There doesn’t seem to be much balance, is 14 per cent affordable really enough to integrate it into the local area? It is surrounded by a lot of social housing and it could do with more employment space. It should not be just an island with its back turned to Deptford - these proposals do not really feel like part of London.”

But Sir Terry said: ”There are certain areas of London that really need affordable and others that need an influx of more market housing to support the area. This area has a huge amount of social housing, it’s a question of getting the mix right.”

Living in Deptford

“Deptford is one of the best places in London... It's full of history and heritage (the place where Christopher Marlowe died, the place where the opening scene of Conrad's Heart of Darkness is set). It's really vibrant, with a brilliant market, a great theatre (the Albany), good restaurants (e.g. the Kaya House [Malaysian] and Pure Lake [Vietnamese]), some nice old streets and great river views.” (Word on the Street, November 2002)

“I live in One SE8 overlooking St Johns and Brookmill Park....This has to be one of the best areas in London - at 7 in the morning geese fly past my window, followed by the DLR. The views are fantastic...big sky's and so close to Greenwich and Blacheath” (Word on the Street, April 2003)

“I have lived in Deptford since I was 4 years old... ...and I like the area, so full of friendly people and the market on Wednesdays and Saturdays is a great place to shop - all the people that shop there think so.” (Word on the Street, Nov 2002)