Goldsmiths giving "serious and urgent" consideration to Stop the Rot agenda

Last week, Isobel Williams, a New Cross resident, posted a guest blog on Brockley Central, to launch a campaign to persuade Goldsmiths to take responsibility for its rotting portfolio of local property.

In response, Brian Lymbery, an independent member of Goldsmiths Council, the governing body of the College, and a resident of St Donnatts Road, has told us:

Over two years ago the Council approved a strategic master plan for the college estate with the emphasis on the main campus and on improving facilities for students.

The Estates Department has been working to implement this plan as resources allow. One point in the plan was a recognition of the need to take action over unused properties, such as the houses in St Donatts Road, which are outside the main campus.

We had a Council meeting on Tuesday night and I spoke to the Warden about Isobel Williams’ blog and the many comments that followed. I understand that the college is giving serious and urgent consideration to the disposal of unused properties which are isolated from the main campus.

I think that this is the right thing to do and it would bring benefits not only to local communities but to the college as well. I think the future for the terrace of buildings between the New Cross House and the Town Hall is more problematic.

They are part of the main campus but the problem boils down to the fire regulations requirements and an acute lack of money in these uncertain times for universities. Incidentally I applied to join Goldsmiths Council, unpaid, in response to a press advertisement some three years ago.

Minutes of Council meetings are publicly available on the College website (on the main menu click about us/official/committees or http://www.gold.ac.uk/committees/minutes).