Annual Report
The past year has been a busy one for the committee, who have actively pursued the conservation and preservation issues affecting Southgate Green on behalf of SGA members. Southgate Green Conservation Area now has in place a Character Appraisal. This is a statement including photographs and maps that describe what it is about the character of our area that is special and what is important to preserve and enhance. The significant features of Southgate Green landscape including the important buildings and spaces are identified and analysed, and the historical associations and events have also been recorded. This appraisal forms part of the Council’s policies and will have a significant impact on the future management of our historic area.
In February 2006, householders were notified of the introduction of an Article 4(2) Direction for Southgate Green. Such Directions were put in place across all Conservation Areas in the borough. Now development rights which householders typically enjoy are made the subject of scrutiny to ensure that the historic fabric of the street scene is not eroded through unsympathetic changes to windows, doors, roofs, front gardens, etc. Previously, in Conservation Areas, the cumulative effect of small, yet inappropriate, changes to buildings meant the gradual, and sometimes not so gradual, degradation of its special qualities. An Article 4(2) Direction helps prevent changes that can be harmful. We welcome the introduction of this measure as it re-affirms commitment to preserving and improving the Conservation Area.
The SGA remains a member of the Conservation Advisory Group. This committee advises the Assistant Director for Planning and Transportation on proposals which could affect conservation areas, listed buildings, ancient monuments and their settings. It encourages improvements to heritage features of key sites of architectural interest in the borough and reviews environmental initiatives. The restoration of The Stocks, our requests for listings, participation in the National Survey on Public Sculpture and Historic Monuments, evaluation of restoration methods of traditional traffic signs are some of the ways in which SGA have contributed to the improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Conservation Area. The traditional traffic sign on The Green has now being refurbished. SGA contributed £750 towards the restoration, with funding also from LBE and English Heritage
One welcome initiative is the funding for historic style new streetlights in Southgate Green. The replacement of street lights throughout the borough will take place over the next five years and SGA committee members have been discussing with the street lighting engineers the placement and style of columns to ensure consistency and also to ensure that unlit footpaths are included in the works programme.
Last year, the committee monitored, evaluated or commented on more than 40 planning applications and applications for works to trees. This was a considerable increase in applications from just three years earlier, when they averaged about 12 per year. It reflects a national trend of Conservation Areas receiving a higher than average number of proposals for changes-even without the Article 4(2) Direction. SGA sought to encourage changes that best enhanced the character of the area. The committee attended planning meetings and two large schemes are still to be decided namely, Cannon Hill and The Walker Ground.
The physical environment around The Green and the arterial roads have been included in works carried out by Transport for London and the Highways Department. Zebra crossings, road markings, signage and bus shelters are a few of the changes, which have been incorporated into the street scene. The committee have sought to ensure that those changes were introduced in a way as sympathetic to the historic environment as possible, although this has not been as successful as some members might wish in terms of limiting street clutter.
During the year, SGA held a successful Wine and Cheese Tasting In November, which raised about £200 towards tree planting. Over the past five years, SGA members have sponsored a dozen trees in the Conservation Area. The ever-popular quiz, a standard feature of all our events, was an enjoyable way to raise members’ awareness of special historical or architectural features of the area.
Future projects include the restoration of the Waterfall Road Boundary Marker and more tree planting. Our annual Ground Force Day in September was well attended and will be repeated on September 23rd 2007.
Finally, I wish to thank members for supporting the Association’s efforts to preserve and improve the Conservation Area. Your letters, e-mails, and calls indicate the high level of civic pride which has reinforced positive changes.
Thank you for your support.
May 2007
Denise Ghandi