It's the Sky ride (formerly Freewheel) on Sunday and it seems as though a number of families from Coney Hall are planning to go down to London to enjoy the festivities.
I joined a local Sky Ride this Sunday which started at the junction of Kingsway and Gates Green road. About twenty riders of various abilities made the trek up to Biggin Hill, on to Downe House, and then around to the Reptile House near Tatsfield and then back to Coney Hall.
Coney Hall is surrounded by some fantastic rides including lots of off road circuits.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Coney Hall Pub and Bar
Well it must have been over 6 months now and I've eaten at the new Coney pub on a few occasions. So far so good. Friendly service, a nice atmosphere, and good food which is superior and distinct enough from the usual pub fare. Coney Hall can consider itself quite lucky to have bagged such a good boozer within walking distance.
And now it seems there is also a bar on the way - The Dandelion - which is due to open in the former Anglo-Spanish property business premises. Fingers crossed it is as successful as the Coney.
And now it seems there is also a bar on the way - The Dandelion - which is due to open in the former Anglo-Spanish property business premises. Fingers crossed it is as successful as the Coney.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Proposed Hotel at Biggin Hill Airport
If you've seen the article in the latest copy of the Newshopper you will be aware that a consultation is due to take place regarding the plans for a hotel at Biggin Hill airport.
The planned hotel is ostensibly for pilots and crew. In reality we will probably see the hotel struggling to be a viable business. The airport will then pressure the council into changing the lease to allow flights outside of it's current hours (i.e. night flying) and allowing fare-paying passengers.
The council will be held culpable by the local papers and Biggin Hill airport of allowing the hotel to fail adding to the pressure to change the lease. And then we'll be looking at a repeat of Stansted all over again.
If you're concerned about noise, pollution, increased traffic etc etc then let your local councillor know and perhaps consider supporting Flightpath and their work.
The planned hotel is ostensibly for pilots and crew. In reality we will probably see the hotel struggling to be a viable business. The airport will then pressure the council into changing the lease to allow flights outside of it's current hours (i.e. night flying) and allowing fare-paying passengers.
The council will be held culpable by the local papers and Biggin Hill airport of allowing the hotel to fail adding to the pressure to change the lease. And then we'll be looking at a repeat of Stansted all over again.
If you're concerned about noise, pollution, increased traffic etc etc then let your local councillor know and perhaps consider supporting Flightpath and their work.
Playground
Congratulations to the Friends of Coney Hall Park who successfully lobbied for funding to install new apparatus in the play area. The playground has never been busier I've seen it since I moved here.
The play area is a real focus of the community for the many young families in the area.
The play area is a real focus of the community for the many young families in the area.
Council inactivity
I made the effort to attend the monthly council meeting back in Jan as the Sustainable Communities Act was up for discussion.
Unfortunately, the council members were very dismissive of the act despite it's positive take up across many councils in the country. One councillor, who had previously championed himself as a councillor of the common man, made a derogatory remarks about the Act, despite the fact that it is plainly there to give the man on the street more say in the community.
The general consensus from the council was to wait and see what they could get out of it rather than what it could do for the people of Bromley.
Above all, it was a real eye opener watching important decisions being made (or not) on our behalf by a cabal of old fellas.
Unfortunately, the council members were very dismissive of the act despite it's positive take up across many councils in the country. One councillor, who had previously championed himself as a councillor of the common man, made a derogatory remarks about the Act, despite the fact that it is plainly there to give the man on the street more say in the community.
The general consensus from the council was to wait and see what they could get out of it rather than what it could do for the people of Bromley.
Above all, it was a real eye opener watching important decisions being made (or not) on our behalf by a cabal of old fellas.
Friday, 19 December 2008
News on the possibility of the Sustainable Communities Act being opted into in Bromley. I received a letter this morning from Cllr Anne Manning on behalf of all the Coney Hall councillors, with the following info:
"You will be aware that local authorities have until 31st July 2009 to reach a decision and forward proposals, if and where appropriate.
I have discussed the Act's intent with Senior Officers.
I am advised that a report will be presented to the next meeting of the Council's Executive on Wednesday 14th January. Copies of the Agenda will be available for inspection shortly before the meeting on the Council's website and all Borough Libraries.
If you would like to attend the meeting, you are free to do so. At this stage I am unsure of the start time - 7pm or 7.30pm - but a phone call to the Council will help."
"You will be aware that local authorities have until 31st July 2009 to reach a decision and forward proposals, if and where appropriate.
I have discussed the Act's intent with Senior Officers.
I am advised that a report will be presented to the next meeting of the Council's Executive on Wednesday 14th January. Copies of the Agenda will be available for inspection shortly before the meeting on the Council's website and all Borough Libraries.
If you would like to attend the meeting, you are free to do so. At this stage I am unsure of the start time - 7pm or 7.30pm - but a phone call to the Council will help."
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Biggin Hill Airport discussion
Following my meeting with Councillor Carr I came away with mixed feelings about the local councillors attitude towards Biggin Hill.
It's clear that Councillor Carr sees Biggin Hill Airport as an important economic resource for the area. This being the case he appears to be fairly sympathetic to any proposals that the airport may put forward to expand it's infrastructure, including the proposed hotel.
Councillor Carr was quite open to the idea of revisiting the lease and perhaps updating it. This would involve the inevitable give and take. For instance, increased flights in return for less polluting aircraft. In some ways this seems to reflect the current plans at Crystal Palace park where we are likely to see a loss of green space to development in return for an improvement in the parks facilities.
Perhaps I'm an idealist but I would rather see more take than give. I'm in favour of less polluting aircraft but not in increased flights.
However, he did reiterate on a number of occasions his firm belief that fare paying passengers will not be allowed on his watch. For me that is the main cause for concern. If fare paying passengers are allowed then how long before it becomes the next Stansted? Biggin Hill may put themselves in a position of being a serious alternative if Heathrow's third runway is rejected.
As Flightpath have said - the hotel has been turned down for design reasons by the council whereas ministers and appeal inspectors have turned it down on the grounds that there is not enough business to justify one.
What happens when the proposed hotel finds it is failing due to lack of custom? Will they turn to Bromley council and blame them for it's failure due to the fact that fare paying passengers are banned from the airport...?
It's clear that Councillor Carr sees Biggin Hill Airport as an important economic resource for the area. This being the case he appears to be fairly sympathetic to any proposals that the airport may put forward to expand it's infrastructure, including the proposed hotel.
Councillor Carr was quite open to the idea of revisiting the lease and perhaps updating it. This would involve the inevitable give and take. For instance, increased flights in return for less polluting aircraft. In some ways this seems to reflect the current plans at Crystal Palace park where we are likely to see a loss of green space to development in return for an improvement in the parks facilities.
Perhaps I'm an idealist but I would rather see more take than give. I'm in favour of less polluting aircraft but not in increased flights.
However, he did reiterate on a number of occasions his firm belief that fare paying passengers will not be allowed on his watch. For me that is the main cause for concern. If fare paying passengers are allowed then how long before it becomes the next Stansted? Biggin Hill may put themselves in a position of being a serious alternative if Heathrow's third runway is rejected.
As Flightpath have said - the hotel has been turned down for design reasons by the council whereas ministers and appeal inspectors have turned it down on the grounds that there is not enough business to justify one.
What happens when the proposed hotel finds it is failing due to lack of custom? Will they turn to Bromley council and blame them for it's failure due to the fact that fare paying passengers are banned from the airport...?
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