Ashby Mews – Gates and Resurfacing
Locked gates recently installed at the Ashby Road end of Ashby Mews, SE4, followed by resurfacing a stretch of the mews in tarmac have caused a significant number of residents to contact Brockley Society to complain. We are holding a meeting to gauge local opinion, explain the legal and planning ramifications and consider the next steps.
Brockley Society Public Meeting Thursday 19 July 7.30pm,
Myatt Garden School, Rokeby Road, SE4 1DF
Everyone is welcome, whether you oppose or support the changes, simply walk through the mews, or are just interested in the Brockley Conservation Area. Those responsible for the gates and tarmac and those whose properties are affected are also welcome.
Brockley Society’s position is as follows:
1. Resurfacing the Mews in tarmac
Brockley’s mews are an integral part of the character of the Conservation Area. We view black tarmac as inappropriate and believe it damages the character of the mews and may also cause flooding or water seepage as no drainage is provided. Lewisham Planning department is currently looking at enforcement. Planning and ownership in the mews is very complex but we believe several solutions are worth exploring, including for this section to remain resurfaced with a more sympathetic and sustainable topping material.
2. The Gates
The gates are inappropriate for the location: they are far too tall for gates on a public road and contravene other guidelines in the Brockley Conservation Area. We believe they should be reduced in height or removed entirely and replaced by a better “gallows” gate, like those which exist in all Brockley’s other mews. The one currently in Ashby Mews, behind the new gates, could have been modified.
3. The Right of Way
Ashby Mews is a private road. However, it is also a public right of way – and has been for at least 120 years. This means the public have an established legal right to use the mews as a footpath. Locked gates block the right of way. We believe that unimpeded pedestrian and emergency vehicle access must be restored to the mews as soon as possible.
Brockley’s vibrant and open community has developed over many decades through the work of Brockley Society, Brockley Open Studios, Brockley Cross Action Group and many other community activities, campaigns and projects. Closing off a right of way and creating a gated community is totally at odds with this.
We hope you will attend the meeting on Thursday 19 July.
You can down load this information as a PDF here.
