Now please don't anyone accuse me of not listening to anyone else's views. I'm listening but I am just expressing my own.

I think some people on this forum have a remarkably optimistic view of the wonders of market forces and the inevitable progress of.. considering the economic mess the country is in.

Umm, quick change of tune there, Deano? In your first posting on this thread, you said you think Domino's Pizzas are "nice" (p15), now this has changed to "no great love of Domino's" and "far too many sub standard take away outlets in the area". Which is it going to be?

And I'd once again like to stress the point that there would be a real chance of a restaurant/pub surviving in that location, if rents weren't kept so high that only said national chain seems to be able to pay these. But the people who would be able to influence the long term development of HOP in a positive way from a planning perspective are clearly not interested.

Tinkerbell and Cheeky.

Your repeated accusations that anyone who doesn't 100% agree with you must be in the pay of Domino's do your movement no favours. Please stop it. Differences of opinion are allowed in society.

Blimey, happen to suggest that you don't think a Dominoes is such a bad idea and you're either (a) dominoes undercover or (b) a resident of elsewhere.

To me, the motorbikes could potentially be the most annoying thing.

Are the rents at HOP more than Lordship Lane?

Tinkerbell, I think the planners need a chance/opportunity first, and Jon14, I don't know what you're talking about ho ho ho

Cant be a pound shop unless there is a change of use.

Baboonery - I would absolutely defend everyone's right to voicing their opinions freely on this forum, including those who love a soggy pizza, but thank you for reminding me of the democratic principle.

It's when the opinion of an individual appears to change quite substantially within a matter of days/pages, that I become slightly suspicious.

But anyway, back to the discussion and "our movement".

That's tantamount to slander and libel Baboonery!!!!

I agree with jon14 on the motorbike issue and I believe it is ONLY that which will allow the planning department to refuse permission.

Redalways says that a Pound Shop would need a change of use. However, a change from A3 to A1 would be automatic in this location (not that a Pound Shop could sustain such high overheads in what is a relatively small unit for that type of business).

I also agree with many of the posters on this thread that the asking rent is surprisingly high but I'd've thought a charismatic shrewdie opening a bar/restaurant there - even in these tough times - could get most of the rent & rates paid by doing at least 50 covers at say £30-a-head on a Saturday night, which would leave the rest of the week to make some money. Yeah, just think, a nice brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings would bring in a nice few quid!

Get yer dosh ready BCM, because I reckon Dominos will get turned down by the Council AND on Appeal and then, when the Landlord gets fed up with paying the Business Rates, you should be able to knock £5K off the rent and crack on.

I hope everyone gets what they want (weekend brunch will do me!)

Ha ha! If only I were in the pay of dominos! If they are monitoring the site please pm me with some vouchers! I did try to order one from Dominos tonight as I was feeling peckish but no one would deliver and I couldn't be bothered to collect it. I guess that's the difference between thinking it's nice and not having a great love for it.

The lack of parking space did not stop pizza Hut opening in FH.

So how recently did Pizza Hut open in Forest Hill?
Was Lewisham's policy for A5 use exactly the same then as it is now?
Does that location within Forest Hill's town Centre share the same designation in terms of shopping area heirarchy as the Old Bank in Honor Oak Park?

Besides all of that, this is not about a lack of parking spaces, it's about the potential for disturbance caused by vehicle movements within a quiet residential area.

Quiet residential area? It's next to the train track and a main road!

...and separated from the main road by a road closure to prevent traffic rat-running down quiet residential streets.

The main technical objection for many seems to be where the Domino bikes will be parked.

Seems a good question to me - I'm just asking: are you all sure that is a valid planning objection or one that carries much weight?

Hi Perryman - yes, I think enough weight will be given to the issue of vehicle parking and disturbance caused.

Here's the relevant part of the current policy:-

STC 9 Restaurants, A3 Uses and Take Away Hot Food Shops
Restaurants, A3 uses and take away hot food shops will be granted permission where they satisfy the following principles:
(a) their location, design, parking and traffic generation is acceptable and does not conflict with other policies in the Plan;
(b) they do not harm the living conditions of nearby residents, including that created by noise and disturbance from users and their vehicles, smell, litter and unneighbourly opening hours; and
© parking and traffic generation is not a danger to other road users, public transport operators or pedestrians.

£30 a head?! I wouldn't be eating there any time soon if that's the kind of price. I don't spend that much usually even in central London and I'd expect a local restaurant to be cheaper than West End prices. I consider £15 to £20 per head my ceiling price for a meal out unless it's a very special occasion personally.

The main objections are noise pollution / rubbish / parking of up to 10 mopeds/ use of bikes on quiet roads. Also the site in a small local parade is NOT suited for this type of operation. There are other more suitable sites in the area.

The campaign has been highlighted in the front page of The Lewisham Mercury this week, which is great!! The statement from Domino's states that they feel the main concern from residents is the signage and they want to be a good neighbour....clearly this is not the case. If they are reading this thread or actually hearing the voice of local people and seeing the sheer number of people who have signed a petition or wrote a letter to Lewisham planning then they would be wise to look elsewhere for something more suitable.

Nitoda. I'm afraid you may have just hit the nail on the head.

Anotherjohn, I doff my hat in respect. I read the same thing and in an eon I wouldn't have seen that. Brilliant, Sir.