FiB
I have friends in Thorpewood Avenue and I asked about the issue of parking before the swimming pool closed. Generally people didn't think there was a problem because it wasn't very popular and because the schools weren't highly regarded. Things have changed in FH over the last 5 years and the two schools are in the top 5 in Lewisham which has attracted a lot of young families there.

As for the parking issue, there seems to be three camps.

The first are the people who pay their taxes and feel that they shouldn't have to pay for parking on their street either due to economic or political beliefs.

The second which sounds like you are part of are those with off street parking mainly on the FH side. You have got that space either parking in the driveway or across it. Parking has never been an issue for you. You might have a second car but it is out during the day.

The third are the people on the terrace who have problems getting a parking space. They have about 20 steps up to their houses so deliveries, carrying shopping or kids is that bit harder if you have to park a distance away or on the other side. People prefer to park on that side as it is nearer, they don't have to worry about driveways and it seems safer. They can't get to park outside their house except after 5, on Saturdays and Sundays and feel that the swimming pool will turn their road into a 7-11 carpark 7 days a week.