I saw a couple of people moving things about outside there yesterday or the day before but paid no attention. When I walked past this morning, the first thought in my mind was 'hideous'.
I really do hope this is a VERY temporary look for the outside, and not an indication of what to expect for the future inside.
Anyone know anything of what's happening here?
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No idea. No planning applications on Lewisham's website to indicate any change of use. The addresses are interesting: the building on the left is 61 Waldram Park Road, and the one on the right is 20 Sunderland Road.
Are the pot plants new or have they been there for a while?
Pot plants have not been there long, didn't notice them nefore the bikes appeared.
Looks awful. And I would not have thought its very clever for trip hazards either.
Only a matter of time before they are vandalised.
Seems odd, would let the police know on non emergency number as all bar one of the bikes have no number plates.
I'm sure the local PCSO and SNT team will take a look at some point. Walked past again last night and it looks worse each time I pass.
It's look pretty awful. I presume the bikes have their plates missing/obscured to prevent parking tickets.
The random plant pots look like they're being used as an attempted land grab demarkation.
Lights were on at one point in the building itself. Curious to know what's going on.
Nice one JG, didn't think of doing that myself, doh!
Fingers crossed they can get them to make it look a little nicer. I did see someone taking a washing machine in there one evening.
Not sure if its meant to look in some way 'artistic', but am sure it hasn't worked.
I cannot claim the fame - 'twas not me wot dunnit.
The reporter's name is on the link.
But thank you for the warm thought.
I suspect you will find that the bikes, as the plant pots, are not on the "highway", but on a small strip of private land attaching to the shop unit, so neither Lewisham nor DVLA can touch them.
My guess is New Forester is right and the shop is squatted.
Well let's hope someone somehow can do something about it, its really not pleasing on the eye at all. Hopefully something H+S based.
As for the bikes, are they not under the same legislation as cars then? If it has a keeper it must be insured regardless SORN or not. And surely if it doesn't have a keeper it will play into the hands of the authorities.
As for squatting, that's very unfortunate if that's the case.
If the bikes are off the public highway, as I think is the case here, they would need only SORN, which is easy to do, and NO insurance.
The law has actually changed, and all rmotor vehicles registered for use require insurance, even when SORN.
Only issue here is IF the bikes are registered to anyone, and if there are any identifying marks on the bikes.
I get the impression this is going to be a lot more complex than just a quick check and act, but we can hope.
The law has actually changed, and all rmotor vehicles registered for use require insurance, even when SORN.
Nope, definitely not so. No need for insurance if SORNed. see here
My mistake. Thanks for that.
I would assume though for them to be SORN, they would also need a registered keeper, which is where it would get interesting.
On closer inspection the bikes ARE currently on the public footpath, so hopefully there are some powers to deal with it. With the bikes being on the actual footpath the SORN would also be invalid.[/align]
Somebody may be able to clarify - but I believe the little strip of forecourt outside shopfronts, which one often thinks isn't actually public highway (like here), generally falls within the domain of the local authority, who levy a charge on the shopkeepers if they want to bring their goods or tables & chairs onto it. Either Lewisham council or the police, or both, should be able to enforce against this type of parking, whether the vehicles have road tax or SORN or not.
I certainly hope so John. There is a load of wood piled up outside there too now.
There's quite a few motorbikes, bicycles and junk in the shop as well now. More dead plant pots have appeared.
Well, here is the wood sitting there now, its looking worse and worse by the day. LL website shows its 'in progress' so lets hope some action is gonna be seen.
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