Bell Green community-led master plan
The Sydenham Society has called for an immediate halt to demolition of the gas holders to enable proper community consultation, a review of options and completion of a masterplan for Bell Green.
Working with Discourse Architecture, we have embarked on the development of a community-led master plan for the wider Bell Green site. We believe that the gas holders, which are an important expression of our local industrial heritage, should be retained as part of this new vision.
The Gas Holders are an important feature of our neighbourhood. Their drum-shaped structures frame the sky and create constantly shifting geometrical patterns as you move around the site, lending distinction to the bland environs of the new retail park. They are also the last remaining elements of the South Suburban Gas Company, along with the adjacent Grade II Listed Livesey Memorial Hall and the bowling green, which provided recreational amenities for employees. The associated memorial to the fallen of the First World War, now sadly in a dilapidated state, features an elegant bronze sculpture.
We appeal to SGN to stand by their commitments made in your online statement of corporate responsibility, listen to the community, and do the following:
- Call an immediate halt to the demolition of the gas holders 7 & 8
- Arrange an urgent meeting between your company and representatives of the local community to discuss options for the future of the gas holders
- Provide a stay of execution on the demolition of the gas holders while options for the retention of the structures are reviewed
You can view the full letter to SGN HERE.
Please support our campaign and help stop the demolition via Twitter @SGNgas and @d__architecture