You may or may not be aware that the HMV in the Greenwich Shopping Park has been transformed into a Poundland. Now, HMV’s woes are well known and it was only a matter of time before it closed, but would anybody have guessed a Poundland would be its replacement? Don’t get me wrong, I do love a pound shop, but are they not reserved for crumbling high streets such as Eltham, Woolwich and Sidcup? Would an out-of-town retail park, that was only completed in August 2003, be looking for something more? A Marks & Spencer, a Game, a Vision Express or a Desire by Debenhams perhaps?

Is this just a sign of the times or a sinister slide in fortunes?

Incidentally, it opens this Thursday and there’s a family fun day on Saturday as David Platt (the Coronation Street character not the footballer) will be at the store from 10am until 1pm to sign autographs and give away vouchers.

Proposed service cuts at Charlton station during next summer’s Olympics have been scrapped, it has emerged.

The rail company planned to axe two out of the eight trains which serve the station each hour as part of a package of cuts at local stops designed to accommodate extra numbers attending events in Greenwich Park and Woolwich Barracks.

But after a meeting on Tuesday between Southeastern MD Charles Horton, Greenwich & Woolwich MP Nick Raynsford, and David Gardner of the Charlton Rail Users Group, it was confirmed that services between Woolwich Arsenal, Lewisham and Charing Cross would continue to stop at Charlton during the Olympics.

Furthermore, a dedicated bus service to the North Greenwich (O2) Arena will convey Olympics visitors from Charlton station.

Southeastern had originally claimed facilities did not exist at Charlton – which had a bus terminal put in as part of the Millennium Dome project – to run such a service.

The move at Charlton follows pressure from the rail users’ group, Nick Raynsford and Greenwich Council.

It is not yet known what is happening with other stations on the network that were due to face cuts, such as Woolwich Dockyard, scheduled to close altogether; and Deptford and Westcombe Park, due see services cut to two per hour.

Southeastern came under ferocious criticism from rail users and local politicians for their plans to cut services.

The company said the cancellations were needed to allow trains to spend longer picking up and dropping off passengers at Greenwich and Woolwich Dockyard stations.

Full details of the new timetables are expected to be confirmed by July.

From Greenwich Council – another sad story about a former local pub.

Greenwich Council has successfully prosecuted a real estate firm after it illegally converted a former pub in Charlton into eight flats.

The Woodman Pub on Little Heath in Charlton was turned into apartments by Cheltenham Real Estate LLP. However, the owners failed to comply with any statutory requirements to carry out the work, including failing to gain planning permission or Building Regulations approval. It means the flats were not inspected for fire and structural safety and other standards before they were let.

Greenwich Council brought the prosecution over health and safety concerns for the tenants. Cheltenham Real Estate LLP was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £1430 costs after pleading guilty at Woolwich Magistrates Court to contravention of the Building Regulations 2000.

Most building work needs Building Regulations approval and without it enforcement action may be taken. This could also mean future difficulties with selling, buying or financing a property. Greenwich Council has now also served Cheltenham Real Estate LLP with an enforcement notice for an alleged breach of planning control. Planning permission is needed for conversions which change the use of a building.

Councillor Maureen O’Mara, Greenwich Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: “It was both illegal and utterly negligent of this firm to house tenants without following the correct procedures and checking whether their building complied with health and safety standards. These regulations are there for a reason, namely to protect innocent people and this case should serve as a reminder to any individual or firm carrying out building works that they MUST seek Building Regulations and planning approval. Most projects require it and lives could be lost without it. Greenwich Council will act promptly in any failures to do this, as this case clearly demonstrates.”

Anyone considering building work should contact Greenwich Council’s Building Control team on 020 8921 5413 and Planning Department on 020 8921 5222/5019 for information and advice before proceeding.

Our Bramshot Avenue correspondent Boneyboy has a nose for a bargain…

“The Haweli Tandoori takeaway opens on Monday 23rd May in the premises on Bramshot Avenue previously occupied by Desi Spice. Leaflets delivered locally and a sign in the window offer 50% off menu prices in their first week.

The menu offers what I would describe as standard Indian takeaway fare. The leaflet delivered through my door contains a number of errors, including a wrong telephone number, corrected by hand , and directions that Bramshot Avenue is “off Victoria Way and Westcombe Avenue”. Let’s hope their cooking is better than the proofreading.”

Your considered opinions on Haweli’s fare would be welcome.

Greenwich Council’s planning board decides on Thursday whethera BMX track should be built in Hornfair Park. Many neighbours are opposed to the track. Campaign spokeswoman Toni Hale explains why.

The criminal activity in the park at present is at an all time high with drug dealers and anti-social behaviour. The illegal use of quad bikes and motorbikes in the park still continues. So many people are too scared to use the park because of the physical and verbal abuse they receive. Imagine a BMX dirt track for BMXs, I doubt it! I can see it being used for illegal activity and no child will be able to use the BMX track as it will be taken over teenagers and older adults.

Why would you want your young child using a track that is reported to be one of the most dangerous sports in the world? This will not be monitored nor will it be supervised. The park here is open 24 hours a day as it is in a Green Chain Walk area which means the community that surround it will be victimised throughout the day and night.

I am not opposed to BMX tracks but there will be an Olympic one situated right outside the Olympic bike area which, after the Olympics, will be open to the public. The BMX track in Woolwich could have easily been extended being on the water front and not surrounded by residents, with good parking facilities available.

Again the Council are wasting taxpayers’ money on things that are unnecessary. The Lido is going to be refurbished and will cost £2.5 million – does that please you, knowing full well that the Council have made several cuts in the borough but are allowing this? It is ludicrous that such money can be wasted on sports facilities that will not be utilised. You can take a horse to water but you cannot make it drink.

There is a planning board meeting on the 26th May at 6.30pm at the Woolwich Town Hall. I am still campaigning against this for many reasons and not just for the reasons I have mentioned. I list of signatures are nearly up to 1000 and I think that speaks for itself.

This is an edited version of a comment placed on the earlier post. I thought it might be worth putting this topic to a vote – is Toni right, or are her – and her neighbours’ – fears misplaced? Please share your views in the comments below.