Archive for the ‘Planning’ Category

Planning application approved for the Beaufoy Institute!

Posted on: October 14th, 2012 1 Comment

We are delighted to announce that our planning application to transform the Beaufoy Institute has been approved. The application from Diamond Way Buddhism went to the Lambeth Planning Application Committee on 3rd July 2012, and was approved by the vote of 6 Lambeth councillors, with 5 in favour and one abstention, and the planning permission has now been granted.

We are very thankful for the overwhelming support of the local people of the Kennington, Oval, and Vauxhall (KOV) area, and the ward councillors during the planning consultation process – and now the project to bring the Beaufoy Institute back to life can go ahead! More details can be found on our Diamond Way Buddhism UK blog.

Members of Diamond Way Buddhism celebrate outside the Town Hall where Lambeth Council granted planning permission for the Beaufoy Institute

Members of Diamond Way and friends joyful at the granting of planning permission by Lambeth Council

What next for the Beaufoy Institute?

It is expected that work to transform the Beaufoy Institute will start in early 2013. We hope the Beaufoy will be open, at least in part, for use within a year.
The project itself has now moved into detailed planning and further fundraising phases – so there is lots going on behind the scenes! The architectural plans in particular need to be converted into detailed plans for the renovation and there is a huge effort underway now to secure the benefits of the project for all.

The local community will be interested in how and when they can visit the Beaufoy Institute, as well as any disruption that might be caused by the building works. We very much have this in mind and so will post more updates as soon as we know more.

We are all very excited and looking forward to the move to Lambeth – watch this space for more information!

Planning application submitted for the Beaufoy Institute

Posted on: March 27th, 2012

Following local community consultation, the planning proposal to bring the historic Beaufoy Institute and Annex back to life has been submitted by Diamond Way Buddhism. The plan will:

  • Fully renovate the Beaufoy Institute, with minimal changes to the listed building
  • Provide space for community living including common dining and children’s areas.
  • Include a contemplation garden, exhibition room and facilities for events and meetings.
  • Provide accommodation for the Buddhists living at the centre and visitors.

The community consultation has highlighted interest in the history of the building and in the transformation of the derelict site. The renovation will provide opportunities for local people to be involved in the project and also visit and use the building for different events and community activities.

The primary activity in the institute will be Buddhist meditation and an associated program including art exhibitions and classes on wellbeing. Funds have been raised for the project from within the Buddhist community and have come from many activities in the last 10 years both in the UK and in Europe.

A message from the architects working on the Beaufoy Institute renovation project

Posted on: March 25th, 2012

The Beaufoy scheme ensures the long term benefit of the local communities by regenerating the site and bringing a much loved building back to the community and Lambeth as a whole, following the vision set for London’s developments.

The careful architectural scheme proposes retaining the D1 class use for the Beaufoy Institute, with a residential component in the annex and a garden at the rear. The proposal deals with a sensitive building that is currently at risk and slowly becoming more damaged and less viable to repair. The design is attentive, and considerate to the historic building, making use of the existing historical layout and at the same time responding to modern needs. The juxtaposition of modern contemporary spaces, overlapping with the historical building will offer a rich context for people to meet.

No major alterations are proposed to the historic part of the building, maintaining the original halls, main rooms, windows details, plaster works, etc. The new developments address the rear of the property, connecting internal social spaces with the rear garden and 2 new extensions are proposed at the sides the building on both Black Prince Rd and Vauxhall St.

In the context of the planning law and the conservation area constraints, this application is appropriately renovating the listed building, bringing it back to the community by a dynamic and socially engaging charity.

Group planning meeting, 18th March

Posted on: March 18th, 2012

Internal planning for the Beaufoy renovation project took a step forward this weekend, with a next steps action planning day. More than 40 members of the Diamond Way group came along to the Buddhist centre to learn the latest about the project, share ideas and take responsibility for new elements of the project.

The main portion of the day was devoted to discussing our vision for different users of the Beaufoy Institute when it is fully restored. Members brought out the sticky notes and brainstormed how we would like it to be for different types of visitors and residents to use the centre in the short term and long term.

Some interesting and creative ideas came out… from the straight-forward – “make sure everyone can get a nice cup of tea” to the more elaborate “statue exhibitions and fundraising concerts for local groups“. Certainly some great ideas to build on!

As always a team kept us well fed and watered during the day, rewarding our many hours of hard work and discussion with a fine spread of nibbles and flapjacks.

Thanks to all who were involved!

 

Letter of support from Lama Jigme Rinpoche for the Beaufoy Project

Posted on: March 10th, 2012

We were delighted to receive this letter of support from Lama Jigme Rinpoche, the General Secretary of the Karma Kagyu School

 

Letter from Lama Jigme Rinpoche, March 2012

Letter from Lama Jigme Rinpoche, March 2012

Regarding Diamond Way Buddhism and the Beaufoy Institute, London

Since the time H.H. 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, appointed me as his representative in Europe in 1975, I have watched how interest has grown in genuine Buddhist spiritual methods, and how they can be applied to our modern societies.

It has been my experience in working with communities that Buddhism can have significant benefit. Indeed we have had programmes to support teachers, business people and young people and many have found the application of Buddhist methods such as developing mindfulness, compassion and clarity of thought useful in their daily lives.

In the United Kingdom, Diamond Way Buddhism, a lay Buddhist organisation, started in 1994 at the University of Cambridge with the visits of H.H. 16th Karmapa’s closest Western students, Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah. Since that time, through the teaching and practice of the traditional methods of the Kagyu School, and the endeavours of many British people, the organisation has grown and benefitted many people.

It is with great joy, now as General Secretary of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, that I support the redevelopment of the Beaufoy Institute as a place for the practise of Buddhism. It is my wish that it will benefit the local and wider community and become a place where many can learn, enjoy, and use the Buddha’s teachings to develop the great qualities of compassion and wisdom.

Lama Jigme Rinpoche

Planning Consultation at the Tea House Theatre, Vauxhall Walk

Posted on: February 2nd, 2012

Representatives of Diamond Way Buddhism gathered at the splendid Tea House theatre by Vauxhall Spring Gardens to offer the local community the opportunity to look at plans for the renovation of the Beaufoy Institute building. The informal consultation was part of the multi-stage planning consultation and planning application process, which could last several months, and followed on from the recent discussion about planning at the KOV Forum.

Various visitors shared local stories about the history of the Beaufoy building and how different groups would like to be involved in the new Buddhist centre following various previous projects.

Comments about the planning application were positive and the general feeling was that it is a good thing that the Beaufoy building – which has been vacant for some 15 years – will finally be brought back to life.

Some of the ideas discussed with the local visitors included the opportunity for tours of the Beaufoy Institute before and after the renovation; the potential for volunteering or apprenticeship opportunities for local youths; possible connections with local schools and the prospect of an annual community fundraiser where the whole community are invited into the Beaufoy for a concert. These ideas are all being looked into and announcements will be made further down the line.

You can read more articles about the planning application process.

Diamond Way Buddhism planning consultation at the KOV Forum

Posted on: January 25th, 2012

Representatives of Diamond Way Buddhism joined the Kennington, Oval, and Vauxhall (KOV) Forum on Wed 25th January 2012 to announce the intended purchase of the Beaufoy Institute building and annex.
The plans to convert the Beaufoy Institute into a Buddhist Centre for London will, once submitted to Lambeth Council, undergo a formal three-month planning consultation. Before that consultation began, the KOV forum was a perfect opportunity to consult informally with the local community about the planning application.

The community was broadly welcoming towards the application to use the Beaufoy building as a new Buddhist centre. The Diamond Way Buddhism representatives enjoyed the opportunity to connect with community representatives from the local area and hear about their activities. The Diamond Way group were particularly impressed with the amount of community activity in Princes Ward and Lambeth as a whole and look forward to building strong ties with local individuals and community groups.

Bellway Homes also presented their related planning application to purchase the adjoining plot of land behind the Beaufoy building.

Diamond Way Buddhism planning consultation at the Kennington, Oval, Vauxhall (KOV) Forum