SE23 Forum

New Street Name: Moonlight Drive SE23 Deadline 26 March

This is the proposed name of the access road leading to Moore Park Garage and to the new houses being built off Wood Vale SE23 to the side of the butcher shop.

Notices have been posted by Lewisham Council inviting any objections. I have objected, suggesting that the name is open to ridicule and have offered many other names with local links.

My objections have been turned down because, and I quote:

“The name Moonlight Drive has been accepted by both Fire Brigade and Royal Mail. I am afraid that your reasons for not liking the name is a personal taste and therefore does not meet the criteria”

One wonders what is the purpose of posting notices inviting objections when it seems a fait accompli – already decided ! What about local democracy? Even the LBL Street Naming division on the LBL website says that 3 names will be offered by a developer for consideration.

As a side issue, the developer is not making the access way because it already exists – does he have any influence anyway ?

Lewisham Council have not responded to these further queations and the 26th March deadline is approaching.

Councillor Paul Upex appears to be on side.

You may or may not like the name but this doesn't seem right somehow.

I see your point but ultimately most names get chosen by developers and unless they are offensive they are going to be allowed.

It is a pity that the opportunity to name check a bit of local history is going to be missed. I seem to recall that Wood Vale used to have a different name (something lane?) so the old name would have been a good choice.

Pissarro also painted a famous painting of Cox's bridge which has the Wood Vale hill in the background so that could have provided the inspiration of some art and history related names.

Isn't Wood Vale also the boundary between the People's Democratic Republic of Lewisham and the People's Democratic Republic of Southwark? Plenty of scope there if you want to poke fun at one party states and boroughs.

As a wider point local planning policy doesn't really seem to be very local. It is all national guidance and borough policy statements implemented by people who don't seem to have any connection with the local built environment.

I remember when I was working in Reading South Oxfordshire District Council had a reputation for having a very distinct local approach to planning aimed at protecting the character of the region. It doesn't seem to happen in Lewisham.

The name is based on sound ecological principles: no mains streetlighting will be installed, so therefore "Moonlight Drive" (maybe it should be "Moonlit Drive") or even "Solar-powered-LED Drive"
You won't catch me parking there!

Wood Lane according to John Rocque 1745.

Moonlight Drive is the name of a track on the early Doors album 'Strange Days'. Maybe a developer with a sense of rock history. Is the street a cup-de-sac? Maybe it should be called 'The End'!

Whilst it wouldn't be the name I would choose, I can't quite see why it would be 'open to ridicule'.

Where's your sense of romance ? fancy a moonlight drive darling ...

Obviously I've led a sheltered life. :-)

Any street named after a Doors song gets my vote

I'm with Nick M and hogboy!!

Any?
People Are Strange Cul-de-sac?
Cars Hiss by my Window Road?
Dead Cats, Dead Rats View?

I think it is a lovely name. Do you actually live on the street?