Friday 23 December 2016

Planning Application for 89 - 91 Oak Tree Gardens

Information from the LERA committee regarding the proposed development.
You will be aware I'm sure that the LB Bromley Planning Committee rejected the application for 89 - 91 Oak Tree Gardens. Very good news but of course we wait to see if they appeal.
Would you be kind enough to post the LERA submission on the website with the following text;
Attached is the LERA letter submitted to the LB Bromley objecting to the development at 87 Oak Tree Gardens.
The Councils Planning Committee met on 15th December and refused the application.

Link to :- LERA letter submitted to the LB Bromley (In pdf form)



Friday 9 December 2016

Dustbin charge Scam

This 
​​
message was sent via the 
Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association mailing service.  
​The service is NOT monitored so, if you wish to contact us, e-mail:
 info@bromleynwa.org.uk

​Dear Coordinator,

​We are asking ​
residents 
​be on ​
guard 
​against
 
​telephone ​
calls claiming to come from the 
​C​
ouncil 
​requesting ​
payment
​ of ​
£25 for
​ overweight dustbins.​  Whilst we have no evidence the scam has yet come to Bromley, it has been happening in our neighbour Borough, Bexley.  
If you receive such a call, we suggest you do not divulge any personal information, including confirming your address
​,​
 and contact Bromley Trading Standards.​

Kind regards,

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association


Find us on the Web at: www.bnwa.co.uk

Thursday 8 December 2016

Planning Application for 87-93 Oaktree Gardens


Immobilise - The UK National Property Register

With Christmas coming many of use a buying new, valuable items. If any of them are stolen you can help the police recover them by registering your items at Immobilise.com

About the Immobilise System

Immobilise is the world's largest FREE register of possession ownership details and together with its sister sites the Police's NMPR and CheckMEND, forms a very effective tool in helping to reduce crime and repatriate recovered personal property to its rightful owners.

Immobilise can be used by members of the public and businesses to register their valued possessions or company assets, and exclusive to Immobilise all account holders registered items and ownership details are viewable on the Police national property database the NMPR.

This online checking service is used thousands of times each day by UK Police forces to trace owners of lost and stolen property.

As a direct result of Immobilise there are hundreds of cases a week where property is returned or information collected that assists the Police in investigating criminal activity involving stolen goods.

Immobilise is also the only ownership registration service supported by all UK Police forces, the Greater London Authority, and the Mobile Phone Industry.

Monday 5 December 2016

Reminder Burnt Ash Library Christmas Morning Today

For details follow this link:-
http://leralink.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/burnt-ash-library-christmas-coffee.html


St Andrew's Classic Film Club 14th December

St Andrew's Classic Film Club 
Wednesday 14th December 6.46pm for 7pm start

Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) 1951
Staring Alistair Sim, Jack Warner and Kathleen Harrison


Entrance is by donation (£3 suggested per person)
Refreshments in the interval. 
For more information ring: Reverend Liz Davis on 020 8460 4672

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Fake Met Police email scam

Fraudsters are spamming out emails claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police that are designed to trick people into downloading iSpy key logger software on their device.
The emails are being sent from an address called crime@content.met.police.uk, which is not a valid Metropolitan Police email address.

The subject is shown as Crime Prevention Advice and a file called 11212527.zip is also attached to the email.

An example email reads

To the general public:

See attached document to read more about crime prevention advice.

Regards,
Metropolitan Police Service.


Intelligence suggests that if the attachment is opened iSpy key logger is downloaded. This gives fraudsters the power to record every keystroke from a victim’s device and steal sensitive information.

To report a fraud and cyber crime and receive a police crime reference number, call us on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.

Sign up for free to Action Fraud Alert to receive direct, verified, accurate information about scams and fraud in your area by email, recorded voice and text message.


Saturday 19 November 2016

Tax refund scam text message

I have just received a text message claiming to be from HMRC. I have deleted it and it is a good idea not to click on a link unless you are sure it is genuine. The message was similar to the following:-

 It also had an address to write to:-

HMRC FoI Act Team
Room 1C/23
100 Parliament Street

London
SW1A 2BQ
This is a genuine address for HMRC which made the message seem as if it might be genuine. However I am sure that I am not due a refund so I did not click on the "Get Started" link.

If you’ve got an email that claims to be from HMRC, make sure it’s the real deal. A good way to start is by looking at what the taxman wants from you.
HMRC will NEVER ask you about the following in a text or email:
  • Your personal and financial information, including your bank details or full address
  • Specific facts about your tax return and financial status
  • An offer of a repayment or refund
HMRC will also never attach a document or send you links.

Some browsers will identify a fake website and warn you against entering it. If you spot a dodgy website, you can report it here .

Thursday 17 November 2016

St Augustine's Church Christmas Fair 26th November




YOUR VIEWS ON BROMLEY’S BUDGET PRIORITIES!



Bromley Council is seeking residents’ views to help it set the budget for 2017-18.

You can contribute your views through an online survey via the link below up to Friday 2nd December.  

You also have the opportunity to attend a public meeting at the Civic Centre on Thursday 24th November from 11 00am to 12 30pm.

Thursday 3 November 2016

Potential "Thames Water" Scam

This 
​​
message was sent via the 
Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association mailing service.  
​The service is NOT monitored so, if you wish to contact us, e-mail:
 info@bromleynwa.org.uk


​Dear Coordinator,

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association has become aware of a new scam.  A call is received, allegedly from Thames Water, to say it will be doing house-to-house checks for leaks.  A Bromley resident, who received one of these calls, took a note of the phone number given and later checked with Thames Water using the number on the Water Bill.  A clever move when ever a suspicious call is received.

Thames Water said it had no knowledge of the phone number or any note of a need to check anything.  Thames confirmed it said never enters homes unless the householder reports a leak or disagrees with the bill and suggested the resident call the number back.  On calling what sounded like a call centre, the resident was told it was all about complimentary checks and not what was said previously!  The ‘call centre' operator said any leaks will be repaired free of charge which is, of course, untrue as we all know leaks within the boundary of our property are our own responsibility – confirmed on the Thames Water website.  So do not make any appointments for 'Thames Water' to visit your property – it’s a scam to gain entry.

The enquiries number for Thames water is 0800 980 8800 but there is a message on their website about telephone issues saying

We're currently experiencing telephony issues in our contact centres, which means that it may be hard to reach us.
We're working as quickly as we can to restore phone lines - sorry for any inconvenience caused.
They also suggest using Facebook at:- 

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Garage Burglaries

Hi All. 

A copy of an email received from one of the members of the LERA committee.
"Just to let you know that we have had 2 garages on the Estate broken in to in the past week. The first incident was in Leamington Avenue around last Tuesday/Wednesday during the night hours when a bike was stolen. The second incident in Portland Road occurred on Saturday/Sunday again during the night hours. It is not known yet whether anything was stolen but it is suspected that a bike may have been taken. I understand that both incidents have been reported to the police.
It could be that the Estate is currently being targeted for garage thefts. Please can you pass the message round to members on your street round to ensure that garages are properly secured and to report any further incidents"

When our shed was broken into some years ago (before National Rail replaced the fencing along the railway) we were advised to fit a shed alarm.  A range of alarms are available from Amazon and other retailers starting at about £10. 


St Andrew's Victorian Christmas Fayre


Wednesday 19 October 2016

Burnt Ash Parade Christmas Market 25th November

To help give a boost to the parade the traders on Burnt Ash Lane Parade are going to hold a Christmas Market. 

They are hoping to repair the lights above all the shops, provide market stalls offering a variety of products, a Christmas grotto, carol singers from the Church and Burnt Ash School and whatever else they can provide to give our local community something worth coming out for. 

The date is Friday 25th November from Midday until 8pm. Make a note in your diaries. Please do come along and show support for our shops.


Tuesday 11 October 2016

Pack of Lies - St Andrew's Hall 27th to 29th October


‘Late 1960 into 1961, Elvis was in the charts with ‘Now or Never’ & ‘Are you Lonesome Tonight’,
conscription ends, the farthing ceased to be legal tender & ‘Coronation Street’ aired for the first time on ITV. 

It was also the height of the Cold War and the Portland Spy Ring incident.
Forced to choose between betraying their country or their friends, the unsuspecting suburban Jackson family is sucked into a web of deception. Their values, trust and respect for authority are gradually eroded as they are faced with the moral dilemma of allowing their unassuming house in Ruislip to be used by MI5 to spy on their best friends.

 Inspired by actual events, the play is a powerful, gripping, truthful story of lies.'


PACK OF LIES is written by Hugh Whitemore and directed by Chris Williams
Based on real-life events surrounding the Portland spy-ring & espionage in the Home Counties

Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th October 2016
in St Andrew’s Hall, Burnt Ash Lane, Bromley, BR1 5AF

Tickets £8 - Box Office 07482 952550
Licensed Bar 7.15pm
Performance begins at 7.45pm


www.burntashdrama.co.uk

Thursday 6 October 2016

RE-DEVELOPMENT OF 87-93 OAK TREE GARDENS – NEW PLANNING APPLICATION

LERA

Links Estate Residents’ Association 
For your urgent attention
Dear Resident
Please be aware that the developers have submitted a new application to re-develop the site occupied by Nos 89 and 91 and part of the gardens of Nos 87 and 93 Oak Tree Gardens at the corner with Portland Road.  Their proposals are as follows:

REFERENCE NO: 16/04446/FULL1
Demolition of 89 and 91 Oak Tree Gardens and erection of six 2 storey 3 bedroom house comprising of 3 pairs of semi-detached houses.  Erection of single garage for No 87; associated access, parking, landscaping, cycle storage, refuse and recycling provision.

You can view the planning application and related plans and documents on the Council’s website – www.bromley.gov.uk.  Click on the Planning Applications button and search on 87 Oak Tree Gardens. 

If you wish to comment on or object to the planning application, you must do this by MONDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2016.  The Council’s Planning Committee will make a decision on the application before Wednesday 23rd November 2016 – the exact date has still to be set. 

You may register your comments/objection in the Comments section on the website – click on the 2nd tab – or by writing to Planning Support Team, Town Planning, London Borough of Bromley, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH, quoting the reference number above and giving your name and address. 


Further information will be posted on this website – http://leralink.blogspot.co.uk – 

and on LERA’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/groups/lerabromley/


Tuesday 20 September 2016

20 mph speed limit on Baring Road

Lewisham seem to have introduced a 20 mph speed limit for Baring Road towards Grove Park Station. Huge 20 signs on the road at least as far as Chinbrook Road. Didn't see many vehicles sticking to the new limits. A sign by Launcelot Road also warns of speed cameras but I didn't see any this morning.


Perhaps we should encourage Bromley Council to do the same for Burnt Ash Lane, especially the stretch near the Toyota Garage. 

Monday 19 September 2016

Chinbrook Meadows Sustainable Water Project

Click on the image to enlarge
Thames Water is working with a charity called Thames21 to clean up London’s rivers. The Quaggy, running through Chinbrook Meadows is being contaminated by rain water and runoff from the roads and the railway embankment. A water channel runs next to the railway line at the top of the picture. The channel, romantically named the Grove Park ditch, collects this water and discharges it into the Quaggy just before the stream goes under the railway.

They are planning to dig out a number of shallow ponds in the open land to the left of the footpath from Portland Road to the railway tunnel. This will divert and filter the water before it runs into the Quaggy. The ponds will have reed beds and interpretation boards and look like those on the other side of the tunnel near the tennis courts. 

The project should begin next spring, subject to planning permission. Thames21 does have a website www.thames21.org.uk. There is nothing about this project on the site yet but it does show similar projects on other London rivers.


Wednesday 14 September 2016

Blockages of drains

There have been some case of householders in the Links Estate experiencing blockages of their drains. This has been due to other householders connected to the same sewer flushing inappropriate items down the loos. Thames Water have cleared the blockages and found wet wipes, sanitary towels, food, fats, bones and other household waste. Thames Water publish the following advice:-


Sewers are only designed to take the water from your toilets, sinks, baths and showers along with human waste and toilet tissue.
Everything else should be put in the bin.

Blockages are usually caused by:

  • Fat, oil and food leftover from cooking that congeals in pipes setting hard
  • Wipes – even ones that say ‘flushable’ don’t break down and block pipes.
  • Sanitary items (e.g. towels and tampons).

Top tips to keep your drains flowing


  • Bin it – don’t block it: Wrap up sanitary items, nappies, wipes and condoms and put them in the bin
  • Leave leftover cooking oil, fat and food to cool and put it in the bin
  • Chemicals, solvents, engine oil and paint should be taken to your local refuse or recycling site
  • Medicines, tablets, syringes and needles should be taken to your pharmacist, hospital or health authority for safe disposal.
There is more advice at the following webpage http://binit.thameswater.co.uk/




Tuesday 6 September 2016

FREE Bromley Safer Van - Home Security Service

This 
​​
message was sent via the 
Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association mailing service.  
​The service is NOT monitored so, if you wish to contact us, e-mail:
 info@bromleynwa.org.uk
 
​Dear Coordinator,
 
Did you know Victim Support offers a free service to help improve security to the homes of Bromley’s vulnerable residents?  The Safer Bromley Van lock fitter can visit your home, carry out a home security survey and provide valuable crime prevention advice to help give you peace of mind.  The lock fitter can also make basic security improvements to your doors and windows such as extra locks, door chains and spy holes.
​  ​
He can even fit a fire-proof bag over your letter box or a key safe box if you own one.
 
To be eligible for this service, residents must live in Bromley and be
​ one of the following​
:
 
• a victim of burglary, attempted break-in or door step crime ;
• a victim of domestic abuse ;
• a victim of hate crime ;
• a vulnerable adult (for example
​,​
if you have a disability) or are worried about your safety and home security;
• over 65 years of age ;
 
Do you, any of your friends, neighbours or Watch members fit this criteria?  Please help raise awareness of this valuable service by telling them about it.
 
A couple of things to note :
 
• If you live in private rented accommodation ', Victim Support will need the permission of the landlord before any security improvements can be carried out.
• Whilst the lock fitter can help with basic security improvements for doors and windows , he cannot complete any repair work or install anything electrical such as lighting, burglar alarms or CCTV.
 
If you think you are eligible for this free service or know of another Bromley resident that might benefit from a home security survey please call Victim Support on 07506 245143 or 020 8698 4583 (Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 pm).  You may also email Victim Support at Bromley.Lockfitting@victimsupport.org.uk
​.​
 
Kind regards,
 
Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association ​

Sunday 4 September 2016

Lennard Road Penge

Many of you will already know that the suspect arrested at the scene, Joshua Dobby was  charged following the fatal collision on Lennard Road, SE20 which resulted in the death of two people.

Joshua Dobby, 23 (05.06.93), of no fixed abode appeared in custody at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Friday, 2 September, charged with the following offences:

- Two counts of causing death dangerous driving;
- One count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving;
- Two counts of causing death by driving whilst unlicensed and uninsured; and,
- Two counts of aggravated vehicle taking.

He will next appear in custody at the Old Bailey on Friday, 30 September.

I also wanted to pass on my thanks and gratitude for the messages of support that we have received following the tragic incident. The community spirit shown by those who assisted at the scene was clear to see and made an impression on my officers and the nation through the media coverage.

Best wishes and thank you again

Chris  HAFFORD

Chief Superintendent
Borough Commander - Bromley  Police
Metphone: 729951      Direct phone: 0208 284 9951
Mail: Bromley Police Station, High Street, Bromley,

BR1 1ER

FOCM Chinbrook Meadows Sustainable Drainage Project


 Residents may be interested to join in the following events being held in Chinbrook Meadows this month -

Saturday 10th September 11 00am -2 00pm - Conservation event organised by FOCM with ChART and Natures Gym. All are welcome. Meet at the cafe. We will be clearing an overgrown pond at the northern end of the park.

Saturday 17th September 11 00am - 2 00pm – Opportunity to view plans and learn more about Thames 21's scheme to install a Sustainable Urban Drainage scheme on the Estate side of the park. Come to the cafe. There will also be pond dipping in the Quaggy so all the family can get involved.


Thursday 25 August 2016

Illegal Drones over the Links Estate

DRONES - ARE ALSO KNOWN AS REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (RPAS) OR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAV)
                                              
Residents have reported seeing drones flying over our Estate and hovering in their gardens.

Please note that the flying of drones over residential areas such as the Links Estate is illegal. They should not be flown within 50 metres of built up areas and below a height of 100 metres. Their use is also not permitted due to rules governing privacy.

If you see a drone over the Estate, please report the incident as soon as possible to the police by phoning 101. You can also report it on the LERA Facebook page (quickest), to your Street Representative or the LERA website email (slowest).

 Please provide as much information as you can - date, time and location of sighting and if possible, the direction the drone came from and flew to or landed.

BEWARE! GARDENERS FLY TIPPING ON THE LINKS ESTATE

The following warning from our local police team alerts residents about gardeners currently operating on our Estate who are cold calling on residents and using our alleyways and pathways to dump garden refuse.  We understand that the incident on Wednesday 24th August involved the alleyway between Portland Road and Leamington Avenue.

All fly tipping is illegal.  If you experience or witness incidents taking place, please contact Bromley Trading Standards or the police as appropriate on the numbers in bold below. Reporting incidents promptly may enable the offenders to be apprehended.

If you engage gardeners or builders or hire skips, you are strongly advised to obtain assurance from the contractor that all debris will be disposed of both legally and sustainably. If your waste is flytipped and can be traced back to you the Council may prosecute you for flytipping.

MESSAGE FROM PLAISTOW AND SUNDRIDGE SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

Today – Wednesday 24/08/2016 a resident of PORTLAND ROAD had some work done in their front garden by 2 males, they were employed to cut down and take away an over grown bush/tree. Although the work was completed and to a good standard the bags of cuttings and other rubbish was dumped in a side street around the corner from the address.

The males were driving a silver 15 plate car and didn’t appear to have a van/truck the only equipment they had was a newish pair of heavy duty cutters, they gave the company name as A J GARDENING, Telephone 02082656496 number is unavailable and 07961265454 goes directly to voice mail. They did not overly charge for the work but obviously did not have any intention of disposing of the rubbish legally.

Please report to trading standards if you or somebody you know is affected by rogue traders by Email on trading.standards@bromley.gov.uk or by phone 0300 303 8657. If the traders are there and you suspect they might be trying to scam you the rapid response number is 07903852090 or call Police on 101 non-emergency or 999 if they are there.

Dumped rubbish - flytipping

Flytipping is the illegal dumping of waste. Flytipping can be anything from a black bag of domestic waste to a lorry load of construction waste. As well as damaging our environment, every year flytipping costs millions nationally to investigate and clear up.

You can report flytipped waste on a street or in a park to Bromley Council. If the waste is on private land, it is the landowner's responsibility to clear, not the council's

Sunday 21 August 2016

Links Estate neighbours on Nextdoor


Some residents may have received a note/leaflet posted by 
'The Links Estate Neighbours on Nextdoor'

A number of residents have questioned whether this is connected with LERA. Please be aware that this does not come from LERA and is not connected in any way with the Committee or membership of the Links Estate Residents Association. If you want to contact LERA you should continue to do so through our representative for your street, our Facebook Group or our website.

Thanks

Stephen Hodges

Chair of LERA

Wednesday 13 July 2016

LERA Information Protocol 2016

The LERA Information Protocol has been updated and can be viewed by clicking on the link in the Home window on the right hand side of this Window

Minutes of the annual general meeting 16 May 2016

  
Minutes of the annual general meeting
Held on Monday 16th may 2016 at 7 30pm
At St Andrew’s hall, Burnt Ash Lane

1.  Welcome and introduction

Stephen Hodges welcomed members to the meeting.  He extended a special welcome to the guests - Councillors Peter Morgan, Michael Turner and Ellie Harmer; Sergeant Neil Phillips, PC Amy Barnes and PCSO Peter Scott of Plaistow and Sundridge – North East Neighbourhood Team; Reverend Liz Davis; and Tony Isbitt (Chairman) and Cheryl Mulryne (Secretary) of the Safer Neighbourhood Panel - and to Andrew Martin who would be giving a presentation on local history.


Stephen said that this was a particularly special year as it marked LERA’s 25th anniversary and he invited everyone to join the celebratory refreshments after the meeting.  He explained that the agenda differed slightly from previous years and instead of keynote speakers from community services, the latter part of the programme would be devoted to Andrew’s presentation.

This is just the introduction to the minutes

To see the full minutes click on the link in the Home window 


Friday 24 June 2016

More Cold calling scams

Hot off the Press! Details of scams reported to Bromley Trading Standards this week:

Scam 1 - Residents are reporting receiving telephone calls from a company claiming to be working with Bromley Council and offering to assist with previous accidents claims.   One 90 year old resident received repeated calls from the company, calling themselves Accident Investigation Service, telling him he had been awarded £3,000 in compensation for an accident in the B orough but he would have to pay £200 in cash in order to claim it. 

Scam 2 - A resident has been scammed into paying thousands of pounds for bogus property repairs. The consumer, an older female, was cold called by two men claiming to working on the property next door and who told her there were significant damp problems in the loft. She was asked to pay several thousand pounds for the hire of essential equipment in order that emergency repairs could be conducted. She was later told the work was no longer necessary and she would be refunded but in order to do so a further payment would be required for financial regulations.   Trading Standards w as alerted to the incident when the resident went to her bank to make further cash withdrawals. 

Scam 3 - A tree company has door knocked on the door of an 80 year old ma n in Petts Wood and persuaded him to part with money for gardening work. An initial payment of £400 was made and the gang was due to return the following day to collect a further £1,100. The family of the resident alerted Trading Standards who attended and confronted the gang, who then ran off. They were driving a lorry with the words “Local Tree Services”.

Trading Standards reminds residents to:

* be suspicious
* never deal on the doorstep
* never be pressured into making quick decisions
* never give personal or bank details top anyone
Call the Trading Standards rapid response number, 07903 852090 if you have any concerns or you want to report suspicious activity in your area.

Kind regards,

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association ​

Find us on the Web at: www.bnwa.co.uk

Saturday 28 May 2016

Garden Bonfires Again

At this time of year the warm weather means that people will be using their gardens to put out washing or just to sit out view their plants and breathe in the fresh air. Because it is dry it is very tempting to have garden bonfires. These will be a nuisance to neighbours and spoil their enjoyment of their gardens. To avoid your neighbours complaining to Environmental Health you should follow these guidelines. The London Borough of Bromley may take into account, when investigating any complaints concerning bonfires, whether the guidelines and in particular the minimum standards have been followed.

Guidelines

1) Compost as much garden rubbish as possible and burn only when there is no reasonable alternative method of disposal.

2) Avoid lighting fires in unsuitable weather conditions. Smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening.

3) Avoid burning at weekends and on Bank Holidays, especially on warm days, when other people wish to enjoy their gardens.

4)  Garden refuse should be dry before burning and care must be taken to add material to the fire in small quantities only. Sudden heaping of large amounts of rubbish on the fire produces large quantities of smoke. The golden rule is to feed the fire little and often.

Minimum standards of care and conduct

1) Site the bonfire as far away from neighbours' premises as possible.

2)  Do not light a fire when weather conditions will cause problems. The fire should be lit only when the wind is light and steady in a direction which would cause the least annoyance - and never when the wind is blowing towards neighbouring houses.

3) Extinguish the fire if it is causing, or is likely to cause, any nuisance to adjacent residents.

4) Never add household rubbish, plastic or rubber materials to the fire, or use sump oil to set it alight.

5) Bonfires should never be left unattended. Do not allow the fire to smoulder; douse it properly with soil or water.

This notice has now been posted several times on this website because some residents have not followed the guidelines. 

Complaints and advice on bonfires:

Environmental Health and Trading Standards (020) 8313 4830
Email:
ehts.customer@bromley.gov.uk

Tel: 0300 303 8657

Or write to 
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH