PART II

I have actually spoken to over four hundred people about my design and I can say that the SE23.com forum is definitely not representative of public opinion in Forest Hill. It is neither representative of the negative comments about my design or the broader issues relating to Forest Hill.

I have devised something which I think will be more representative of opinion in Forest Hill and if I decide to continue to live here I will be trying to implement it.

When I gave my talk to the Forest Hill Society some years ago I had a huge response to the issues which I felt were important to try to change in Forest Hill. I for one have only wanted to live here if Forest Hill makes these changes.

With regard to Hilary’s comment about the wall around my proposed studio in Westbourne Drive. Firstly I felt it appropriate to retain the sense that this was a studio and not just a residential building but also as someone who during my time living at no.6 has had my house set on fire, my secretary abducted and tied up for several hours whilst five thugs ransacked my house. My wife had to avert the eyes of my eleven year old son as two couples openly had sex outside my house a few weeks ago at 5p.m. The entrance to Havelock Walk is a permanent dumping ground. The list of problems and incidents is too numerous to mention. Perhaps I also wanted to put a little distance between my home and the outside world. This is not the green and pleasant land that some think it is and I for one can’t wait for it to change.

I have given some indication of my experience with a few of the things I have done over the years. Perhaps it would be good to know more of the background and expertise of some of the critics.