Octavia Hill Estate Waterloo

HMS Sutherlands departs London under Tower Bridge

2011-10-22T10:40:00.000+01:00

Jumble Sale tomorrow in Waterloo

2011-09-23T08:12:00.000+01:00

Octavia Hill Residents will be holding their Autumn Jumble Sale this Saturday 24th September at St Andrews Church, Short Street between 2.30 and 4.30 pm.Many new items for sale at knockdown prices.
Raffle and refreshments

Jumble Sale this Saturday 24th September

2011-09-18T21:13:00.000+01:00

Octavia Hill Residents will be holding their Autumn Jumble Sale this Saturday 24th September at St Andrews Church, Short Street between 2.30 and 4.30 pm

Local residents successfully oppose 3.00 extension by Jacks Bar

2011-08-31T14:44:00.000+01:00

Residents from Syles House and Octavia Hill Residents today successfully opposed an application by Jacks Bar for a 3.00 am license.

During the hearing the applicant made an amendment to 2.00 am Friday to Saturday and 1.00 am Monday to Thursday.

The licensing committee decided that because of the likelyhood of increased noise and nuisance and the existence of the Saturation Zone to turn down thsi application

Octavia Hill Residents Association oppose 3.00 am license extension

2011-07-16T21:22:00.001+01:00

Octavia Hill Residents Association will be joining residents of Benson House and Styles House and other residents in opposing an application by Jacks Bar in Isabella Street to extend their licensing hours to 3.00 am.
The application also proposes Music and Dancing to 3.00 am which our residents feel would cause a public nuisance and would be a blight on their quality of life

Octavia Hill Residents Association thank MP's

2011-07-16T21:06:00.000+01:00

Octavia Hill Residents Association would like to thank MP's Kate Hoey , Harriet Harman and Simon Hughes for giving up their valuable time to support local residents who have had severe problems with Grainger management company Pathmead/Genesis.
Now that Grainger have heard some of our grievances and complaints directly about the way residents have been treated since the sale by Church Commissioners, we are hopeful that they will take steps to ensure that the Estates are run properly in the future.

Octavia Hill Residents thank Waterloo Business Centre

2011-07-07T13:10:00.002+01:00

Octavia Hill Residents Association ( OHRA ) would like to thank Waterloo Business Quarter ( WBQ ) for their assistance in clearing up a problem in Webber Street.

For some time now a recessed area on the west side of Webber Street has been a place to dump rubbish, bottles , food containers, old clothing etc etc.

It was also an area where the homeless used as a public toilet and it has been an eyesore for local residents.

Those residents living immediately opposite this area have noticed and appreciated the difference with bi weekly clean has made to this area.

The OHRA committee and residents would like to thank WBQ for the work they have undertaken, which has greatly improved the area and is no doubt appreciated by customers of The Old Vic

UK's worst landlord and Managment company inflicted on us by Church Commissioners

2011-07-06T23:29:00.000+01:00

Grainger and their management company Genesis (Pathmead ) have got to be the most uncaring and inefficient Landlords/Management company in the country.

On the 12th April , senior managers visited one of our tenants, the very same one who has the designer electric boiler within 2 foot of his bath.It was placed there because it was too costly to put in the loft from which the old one was removed.Is cost a factor when you are endangering peoples lives.

This is the very same tenant for whom we fought a battle with Grainger for his right to succeed to the property after the death of his Mother and after they agreed that he did have a right to succeed, they immediately said that they wold increase his rent by 200%.

He agreed to pay this exorbitant rent on the condition that the water that runs down the walls in 3 rooms was fixed, that the boiler was removed to where it came from in the loft and that the kitchen , which was put in by his father 40 years ago was updated.

They promised that they would write to him within a week but over 12 weeks on and still no letter.

During the time we have been fighting his case, they have done nothing but harass this tenant in any way possible even going as far as leaving him for 6 months without any form of heating.This resulted in him having to purchase electric fires and despite the fact that they promised to reimburse him for the cost of the fires and the additional costs of electricity

Turning to another case,in January this year they erected scaffolding to fix a new gas flu on the roof of a property and that scaffolding is still there to this day, over 6 months.

In the early part of June, a sub contractors sub contractor came to fix a flu inside the property.They were not Gas registered but that did not stop them disconnecting the gas supply causing a strong smell of gas inside the property.When they fixed this leak, they then proceeded to dismantle the flue, without erecting a tent around the opening.

This resulted in a very large amount of soot and dirt being released into the residents property causing sever damage to the curtains, carpets and depositing thick layers on soot on the walls, windows , ledges cupboards and furniture.

The damage was seen by the Chair of the Tenants Association, who stated that it was certainly the worse case he had ever seen and it amounted to criminal damage.After numerous phone calls and a visit by senior managers, it was agreed that they would undertake a massive clean. However this has not been done to the satisfaction of the tenant, as the carpet which was nearly new does not now have a pile but is flat and looks grubby.

No one wants to accept any liability as it seems that the sub contractors sub contractor does not have any insurance or is afraid to claim as he was undertaking work, they were not qualified or authorised to do.

The actual work of installing a new flu has still not been completed and the tenant who is partially disabled and has recently under gone an operation is really stressed about the situation.

Octavia Hill Residents Association will be instructing solicitors to act on behalf of these two tenants as the management seem unable or unwilling to resolve matters.We will also be requesting assistance from our MP and Local Councillor's.

Why did the Church Commissioners inflict this company upon us , an company who do not care at all about their tenants,deny all responsibility for their actions and break all their promises.

If you look in their recent prospectus for share issue, you will see that the only thing that is against buying shares in Grainger is the danger that the Tenants may live too long

Church Commissioners short changed loyal residents

2011-03-28T23:25:00.001+01:00

6 years ago The Church Commissioners sold of their residential Housing to GraingerGeninvest a 50/50 partnership of Genesis and Grainger.

The sale according to the Church Commissioners surveyor Paul Clark was to a registered social Landlord and he repeated this time and time again and this was echoed by various other management members.

GraingerGenivest and Pathmeads has managed or should I say mismanaged the Estate for the past 6 years and the level of service that residents had experienced under the Church Commissioners have deteriorated.Repairs seem to take forever, appointments missed and work when completed to a very low standard.

One resident was without any form of heating for a period of 8 months in one of the worst winters on record.To be without Hot water for extended periods is standard and despite many calls no help is forthcoming.

Residents have described the management of the estate as being undertaken by persons who have a could not are less attitude, lack any understanding of residents needs , are totally unsociable and lack any compassion.

Now Genesis have " SOLD " their 50% share to Grainger , who promis us the same level of service we have enjoyed, we hope not , as we deserve better.

As our MP Kate Hoey stated " The Church Commissioners owe the residents an apology " , whilst that would be a start , a full , frank and honest explanation as to why we were deceived at the time of the sale.Why they did not make safeguards in the sale contract to prevent was has happened now from occuring and they must accept the responsibility for the break up of the community in Waterloo.

The Church Commissioners took the highest bid ,knowing that it was to a Private Landlord and with no thought about the welfare of their loyal residents, some of which 4 generations had lived on the estate

Are they not ashamed of what they have done.

Luckily the Crown Estate was sold to a truly social Landlord and not to GrainerGeninvest , and who was handling the sale of Crown Estate, the very same Paul Clark , who sold us down the river.

Genesis sell their 50% interest in ex Church Commissioners properties

2011-03-22T21:47:00.000+00:00

Genesis Housing Group today sold their 50% holding in Grainger Geninvest to Grainger PLC.

This now means that the 1500 properties including the historic Octavia Hill Estate in Waterloo , previously owned by the Church Commissioners now comes under 100% private ownership.

At the time of the sale by Church Commissioners in 2005 and 2006 , they assured tenants that the sale would be and we quote " We are currently in discussion with a number of RSL's (Registered Social Landlords ).It is now quite obvious that although they assured us that our rights would be protected, they did not do so.

Part of the statement issued to residents by Genesis states "it does make sense for Genesis to sell and reinvest the proceeds in other parts of its business, such as the provisions of more affordable homes.

Do not the residents of the ex Church Commissioners properties deserve affordable housing

Members of three of the Residents Association from Waterloo, Walworth and Vauxhall met with senior management of Pathmead (The Management company ) and have sought clarification on two points.

Whilst we would not want to be scare mongering or causing our residents any stress or anxiety, Grainger need to be assured that the Residents Association will be monitoring the situation of the effects on residents of these changes

Protest at closure Protest at closure of local shops in Waterloo

2011-03-13T21:09:00.000+00:00

Around 60 protesters in The Cut Waterloo were joined by MP Kate Hoey together with local Councillors from Lambeth and Southwark on Saturday 12th March

Members of the local community from all parts of Waterloo had gathered to protest at the closure of 3 local shops which provided key cutting, Dry cleaning, Launderette and Kitchenware.

The message was clear "Local shops for Local People " and "Save our Local shops no more coffee bars".

The shops had been forced to close due to the Landlords doubling the rent over night, suggesting that a large business no doubt a Coffee bar has interest.

The Waterloo community send out a clear message to the greedy landlords, we will oppose all planning applications and change of use.

Protest at shops closure in The Cut Waterloo

2011-03-06T22:04:00.000+00:00

Dear Residents,

Following the closure of Panbros and the launderette, Southbank Glass and China are closing down on 26^th March.

The closure of these businesses which gave invaluable service to the community is due to the greed of the landlords increasing rents by 100%. We believe Costa Coffee wish to open in the premises formerly occupied by Panbros.

Octavia Hill Residents’ Association have been asked to co-ordinate a protest in the Cut on Saturday 12^th March between 1pm – 2pm. We need to make it clear to the landlords of these premises that we will oppose any change of use with Lambeth Council.

We have the full support of the residents and resident’s associations of Windmill House, Stiles House and Ipsden Flats.

Please support this protest as we have enough coffee shops restaurants and bars.

We hope to see you on 12^th March 1pm to 2pm

Outrage at closure of 3rd shop in The Cut in 2 months - Oppose another coffee shop

2011-02-23T21:42:00.001+00:00

Southbank Glass & China in The Cut is to close on the 24th March following less than 2 months after the forced closure of Panbros and The Launderette

All 3 of these businesses have given great service to the local community and will be sadly missed.

Rumours have been rife for the past 2 months that a deal has been struck with Costa Coffee and that this has resulted in these shops being forced out of business due to their Landlords requesting immediate 100% increase in their rent.

Octavia Hill Residents Association, with support from our Councilors , MP and other local residents Associations will do all possible to block planning permission and change of use.

What we want is local shops for local people not 3 coffee shops in 100 metres

Closure of shops in The Cut - Support our local traders

2011-02-18T22:06:00.002+00:00

So now we have lost Panbros & The Launderette ,both of which provided excellent service to the local community.The residents of Waterloo will object to any planning application for change of use.

We have enough coffee shops,restaurants and take away outlets in The Cut.Over the years we have lost 2 butchers shops, 2 greengrocers , a cobblers, a bakers shops, a sweet shop and a pie & mash shop to name a few.

Luckily Panbros has made a shop share arrangement at 80 The Cut and is able to undertake Dry Cleaning, Key Cutting, passport photo's , greeting cards and stationary

It is important that local residents support our local shops and Octavia Hill Residents Association will be compiling a list of businesses in The Cut.

Local shops for local residents

DAVINCI License meeting - update

2011-02-15T21:35:00.000+00:00

representatives of local residents, councilors , Lambeth Council Officers and Police met last week to discuss what went wrong in Davinci successfully appealing the Licensing Committee decision in February 2010 to restrict their opening hours.

The meeting was informed that although a District Judge over turned the decision of Lambeth Council Licensing Committee they also imposed strict conditions on their License such as

Hours 12.00 noon to 04.00 am
Plastic Glasses to be used.
CCTV Camera's inside and outside
CCTV footage to be kept for 45 days
At least one female at security on Door

The meeting heard of eye witness accounts of recent extreme Anti Social Behavior including one resident
describing the situation outside the premises as similar to that witnessed in Cairo.

All were agreed that something had gone wrong in the legal process of the appeal and that situation should be closely monitored for any violations of the Licensing conditions and report any Anti Social Behavior.

The main worry was the large number of people congregating on the pavement consuming alcohol over a very large area well into the early hours

2011-02-15T20:39:00.001+00:00

Tomorrow night I will be attending Bishops Ward Safer Neighborhood Panel meeting and after wards going to a reception for Community Champions hosted by MP Kate Hoey at House of Commons

Davinci appeal residents , council and Police meet to discuss

2011-02-08T21:20:00.002+00:00

representatives of local residents, councilors , Lambeth Council Officers and Police will meet tomorrow to discuss what went wrong in Davinci appealing the Licensing Committee decision in February 2010 to restrict their opening hours.

We are told that our only protection against flagrant violations of Licensing is to seek a review of the license .Yet when we win with an absolutely watertight case with 28 instances of violations, a year later later the restrictions are lifted.

Even during the year since the committee decision , the premises have been able to carry on business as usual pending the appeal

The licensing laws are wrong and must be changed to protect us against this type of premises

Another shop lost in The Cut

2011-02-01T17:09:00.000+00:00

The launderette in the Cut ceased trading yesterday 31^st January. A notice in the window simply stated: ‘we are closed for good, thank you for your custom’.

The launderette was regularly used by local residents. The nearest launderette is at the far end of Lower Marsh and in some cases is too far for elderly or disabled residents. It is about 1/5^th the size of the launderette in the Cut and you have to climb several steps to reach the machines. This again poses difficulties for the elderly and the disabled.

We have now lost Panbros and the launderette within 38 days of each other. (Panbros had their rent increased by 100%)

Octavia Hill Residents’ Association together with the resident associations of Stiles House, Windmill House and Ipsden Flats will all oppose and object to any planning applications to change of use to these premises located at 55 and 59 the Cut.

Looking back over the past few years, the Cut has lost the following businesses: 2 butcher’s shops, 2 green grocers (1 shop and 1 stall) a medium size super market, a cobbler’s shop, a pie and mash shop a bakers and a large stationers. These have been replaced by 2 large chain coffee shops, 4 restaurants an internet / fresh juice café and an art gallery.

Two 24 hour convenience stores have opened up and have caused problem after problem with serving alcohol to the hard drinking and aggressive street population 24/7.

This wholesale loss of local shops for residents has to stop and stop now.

The above quote from Chair Of Octavia Hill Residents

Neighbourhood Watch Advice

2011-01-24T23:02:00.000+00:00

Ufford Street , Mitre Road & Webber Street Neighbourhood Watch

Recently in Lambeth there have been a number of burglaries where the elderly victim has been followed into their home as they opened their front door

If you think you may be being followed as you get near to your home

Do not go indoors if they are too close to be able to shut the door behind you.
Do go to the nearest public place e.g. shop/garage/library
Do call the police if they continue to hang around

If you are at home and there is an unexpected knock at the door

Do not open the door without checking who is there by looking through a window/spy hole

If you are unable to identify them

Do not let them in phone the police and
Do tell your neighbours

London's worst Landlord keeps tenant without Heating for 7 Months

2011-01-14T22:47:00.000+00:00

Yes believe it or not in the coldest December on record, one of our residents has been without heating for 7 months, due to the incompetence of Pathmead and their contractor.

This despite bringing it once again to their attention some 11 weeks ago at a Saturday open repair surgery and receiving assurances that the matter would be put right without any further delay .

A surgery subsequently describe by Pathmead as a huge success - untrue

Luckily the tenant was able to go out and purchase 2 electric fires last week, while the incompetent Pathmead and their contractor fail once again to provide a decent service level to their long suffering tenants

Had this been been an elderly tenant who was not mobile, the fact fact is that there is a likelihood that they would have died from hyperthermia.

This from a company that falsely describe themselves as one of the largest social landlord, they do not know the true meaning of social.

Only today Rent valuation Office stated that GraingerGenivest were not a Social Landlord or a Housing Association but a 100% PRIVATE company

Property to let £300 per week with Designer Bathroom SE1 - Must be seen to be believed

2011-01-13T22:43:00.001+00:00

Yes, this unique property in Waterloo can be yours to rent for £300 per week.

It benefits from a one off unique Designer Bathroom ,with Water boiler standing on the floor right next to the bath.

This design and thinking is the brainchild of Pathmead and their sub contractors and ensures that the bath is as difficult to access as possible and the taps almost impossible to reach.

This property can be yours and comes complete with scenic waterfalls both to the outside and inside walls ensuring that the property is always damp.

Included in the rental is an assurance that Pathmeads will ensure that you will be left without any form of heating in severe weather conditions.

Further pictures of this property will appear rover next few days

Must be seen to be believed

UK 's worst Landlord

2011-01-05T23:08:00.001+00:00

The Octavia Hill Residents Association has been fighting our unsocial Landlords GraingerGeninvest and their unsocial management company Pathmead for many months over our inherited 2nd succession rights.

We have now been advised that our residents do have a legal right to 2nd succession but this has been soured by the absolutely disgraceful and unwarranted rent increase demands made .

The 2 residents concerned were both born and lived for 50 years on the Octavia Hill Estate and have no wish to live any where else but most likely will be forced to leave their properties by this heavy handed action by Grainger and Pathmead.

One has had his rent increased by 115% and the other by nearly 200% and this at a time when wage increases are frozen .

Both properties suffer from sever damp problems and are in need of modernisation and certainly it would be difficult to let at Market Rent , which is what this wicked Landlord is asking.The sole purpose of asking this huge increase is to force the tenant to move so that they can sell the property

One of the residents has been without any form of heating since 18th June 2010 due to mishandling of a repair by Pathmeads and their contractors.Yes, hard to believe that this resident was without heating during the coldest November and December on record.

Can you believe that Pathmead's holding company Genesis are applying for Charity Status, Pathmeads do not have idea of what Charity is and use underhand and big brother tactics to impose unjustified rent inceases.

The Church Commissioners have a lot to answer for in the promises that they made to Tenants when they told us they were selling to one of the countries biggest social Landlords and that our tenancies would be protected.

A very bad choice which has resulted in us being stuck with UK's worst Landlord and Management company.

Save our local shops in The Cut

2011-01-04T21:00:00.001+00:00

Many of you will be aware that Panbros on the corner of Short Street closed on Christmas Eve after over 25 years trading for the benefit of local residents.This shop offered a valued service with Key cutting, Dry cleaning,printing,newspapers and stationary and is closing due to the rent being increased to an unacceptable level.

There are also unconfirmed rumours that the Laundrette 2 doors away will also close and that one of the large coffee houses are interested in these premises.The loss of this facility would be a hardship for many residents who make regular use of this business.

The loss of shops for local residents has to stop as over the past few years in The Cut we have lost 2 butchers, a Bank , a Fish & Chip shop,Pie & Mash shop, a Greengrocer,a Shoe Repair shop and a Tailors shop .These have been replaced by numerous restaurants, bars , coffee shops , sandwich shops and take aways.

Octavia Hill Residents Association will be leading a campaign together with our Councilors and will be soliciting support from other groups and individuals to oppose any change of use for these premises.

Enough is enough

Death of David Phillips

2010-12-30T20:39:00.000+00:00

We regret to advise of the passing away of David Phillips on Thursday 23^rd December 2010.

David made a sustained contribution to numerous projects in Waterloo from at least the 1960s until 2001 when failing health meant that he had to move into a residential care home..

In 1972 Lambeth Council started Neighbourhood Councils through out the Borough, except for Waterloo where they judged that there was so little community involvement and that there was no grass roots base for such a body.

In the 1970s community activity in Waterloo developed rapidly and Dave paid a large part in many including Waterloo Action Centre.

David was responsible along with others for obtaining a derelict building in the heart of Waterloo in 1974 which was gradually refurbished over the following years until eventually all of it became useable. Today the premises are open to the public about 96 hours a week, and accommodate dance and music, advice services, 5 minority churches, the Bangladeshi Community Group, Great Lakes African Women’s Network, activities for older people and much else. 17,800 different people used the Centre last year, many of these coming each week and some several times a week.

David was a Founder Trustee for most of the development period, continuing even when his sight was failing and was Chair of Waterloo Action Centre for some of the time and also served as Treasurer.

David was also an active supporter of The Association of Waterloo Groups, an umbrella body which was the spring board for much of the community activity which developed from the 1970s onwards. These community initiatives had an enormous impact on improving Waterloo as a place to live and work and continue to the present day

David retained his very active voluntary work with the Scout movement in Waterloo until he left the area due to Ill Health. He was well known to a great many people in the community who at times would turn to him for help. He was very well respected and is still remembered with high regard.

The community of Waterloo owe a lot for the work that David undertook and we send our sympathy to his family.

PANTOMIME - SCROOGE PLAYED BY PATHMEAD

2010-12-21T20:44:00.000+00:00

Spirit of Christmas

No Just BA HUMBUG from

Pathmead

Who would have thought that in the year 2010, a Landlord would leave one of their residents without any form of heating for 6 months - unbelievable but true and it could only be the UK’s worst management company PATHMEAD.

Yes this sad but true saga started in June this year when their appointed contractor ( incidentally over who they claim no responsibly ) arranged for a gas inspection.

They decided to cut off gas supply to fire because they state that the chimney needed sweeping, which is doubtful as it had only recently been cleaned.

Not such a hard task in this day and age, we are not needing young children to climb up chimneys but modern equipment, so should only take a few days

Yes any one else would take a few days, but not Pathmeads.

The matter was vigorously brought to their attention for the umpteenth time during an open day for repair services and the resident concerned was promised swift action ( swift meaning we will complete after 4 months )

No such luck , the chimney was swept and a certificate, however their appointed gas contactor, over whom they have no control and for whom they accept no responsibility refused to accept.

For the past two weeks we have gone through one of the coldest spells in living history and yet Pathmeads are content in allowing a resident to go without any means of heating and with little chance of anything by Christmas.

There is one good side to this story, luckily the resident was mobile and able and had to go out and purchase two fires to save himself from freezing.

We dread to think what would have happened if this was an elderly person, who could not have done that, I think we all the know the answer that person unfortunately would have been dead

Mr Scrooge lives on