Herne Hill Velodrome Closure Threat - Save the Velodrome!

I hadn't heard but I live near and got this email about the public meeting, but it seems that Herne Hill velodrome is under threat of closure due to lack of funding.

http://www.savethevelodrome.com/

Sad news.

it seems that Herne Hill velodrome is under threat of closure due to lack of funding.

I'm sorry this is not and has never really been the case. Funding is not the issue and the Velodrome has been under the same "threat" for quite a while now.

I suggest anyone interested should go to the meeting or talk to those involved with the Velodrome itself.

I'm sorry this is not and has never really been the case. Funding is not the issue and the Velodrome has been under the same "threat" for quite a while now.

I suggest anyone interested should go to the meeting or talk to those involved with the Velodrome itself.

RPM, that's a little cryptic. What is the 'threat' you allude to?

The velodrome is run by Velo Club Londres on a voluntary basis whilst the owners of the site (Dulwich Estates) will only ever grant VCL a yearly lease, which so far each year they have been doing.
Meanwhile it doesn't take a genius to see that the place is/has fallen to bits and the track itself is now getting perilously close to needing a resurface.

Now, because of the short lease it's impossible for VCL (or anyone else) to get the funding (which would be there) for renovation. If D.E. were to grant, say a 25 year lease, then it's likely British Cycling or anyone else would come in and front the money required to renew the track and create a multi discipline cycling facility, complete with buildings.

I may be wrong, but I believe the purpose of the meeting would be to try and reach some sort of agreement with the owners so that this can be done.

Anything we can do en masse to help? Just started riding there.

someone just buy it.

Dulwich Estates has assets worth £205 million, and owns most of Dulwich. Wonder why they won't grant a longer lease?

Because they would like to demolish it and build a shitload of houses and offices on it.

dibs

Found some minutes of a public meeting with Dulwich Estates back in Jan:

Herne Hill Velodrome:

• Why is the Estate doing such a bad job of communicating anything at all about its plans for the Herne Hill Velodrome when such a level of secrecy is not necessary to protect its commercial negotiating position?
  
• Is the Estate still pursuing development proposals on the site and why?
  
• Why has the Estate refused to grant a sufficiently long lease to the Velo Club de Londres to enable them to invest properly in facilities for the velodrome by unlocking the public funding for cycling that is available.
  
• Is the Estate not aware of the pent up demand for cycling activities at the Velodrome, including several requests from its beneficiaries, which VCdL is unable to satisfy because of the uncertainty of its future at the site?
  DE: Long difficult problem. Was leased by Southwark for 42 years who have left site and buildings in poor condition – discussion over dilapidations have stalled. Three extensions of of a one year lease have been granted to British Cycling, DE’s aim is to secure the long term future of the site. Ideally wants a building which will provide facilities for cyclists plus other sport/leisure facilities. Difficult to find development partner in the current market. On advice from traffic consultant, DE informed that two access are required, not the one as at present, in order to get a planning consent for any new building. Southwark still lease a small piece of land required for a second access and are not prepared to release it at a reasonable price. This lease does not expire until 2022. The DE has tried to use dilapidations claim as a lever but no effect as different departments of the Council deal with each aspect. Southwark Council’s Building at Risk Officer had made an application to English Heritage to have grandstand listed which will further delay things and could prevent any development. Site is designated Metropolitan Open Land – very little can be built on it.
  Floor: VCdL did not require another access, considered this a red herring. Why not consider giving longer lease so that investment worthwhile? VCdL have good proposals but British Cycling cannot raise money for renovation because they cannot get a lease longer than 1 year. Preliminary suggestions had been sent to DE but no reply, why? Have they been considered? DE should try harder to reach a solution so that the facility can be improved and enjoyed.
  DE: Did not consider the initial scheme from VCdL a formal proposal – three options suggested. Unaware that VCdL has obtained any planning advice for proposals and hence cannot say second access will not be required.
  
  

http://www.dulwichsociety.com/2009-winter/487-dulwich-estate-meeting

I was just going to post this link up myself, let's hope a bit of progress comes of it, the extra publicity with the upcoming Olympics might help jog it along a bit.

Shame it is a few people in Dulwich Estates that are hell bent on lining their own pockets some more that have been stalling things.

edit to add , I am sure that there is a covenant on the land that it must be used for cycling?

If any one associated with this needs planning/design/development advice please PM me. I'd happily offer my professional services* for free.

Delaps with southwark will always be ffun, especially now with funding issues.

As most people know, Herne Hill Velodrome has had an uncertain future for many years. A strong campaign has been officially launched today to sort things out! Starting with an open invitation to a public meeting.

http://www.savethevelodrome.com/

Public meeting on Wednesday 6th October

If people could at least "like" facebook group to register their support and act as a petition.

                        [![](http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/59364_154809244547977_149464785082423_378010_697250_n.jpg)](http://www.savethevelodrome.com/)

lovely little poster
clicks

Could that be made into a T-shirt and sold to raise funds?

Possibly, but I think (initially at least) the campaign aims to demonstrate public support, rather than raise money.

I'll ask though!

Good work, Jason. I take it there's still absolutely no news of anything happening, or have any concrete (no pun intended) threats materialised?

Could that be made into a T-shirt and sold to raise funds?

+1 I'd defo buy one!

+1

I'd like it as a patch for my cap/bag/whatever

Some more info on yesterday's thread

http://www.lfgss.com/thread51438.html

I like the 'old' Herne Hill Velodrome graphics:

Or as seen here:

Unfortunately, almost total inaction since then. :(

It's just such a beautiful place: