Another plan to build homes on two small parks in Erith be put forward next year, Bexley Council has confirmed.
It comes as a ward councillor warns the future of Wilde Road will set a precedent for parks across Bexley.
A residents’ campaign dubbed Save Wilde Road was successful earlier this year in stopping the council’s plan for a dozen flats on two small parcels of green land in Bronte and Wilde Road.
The sites have been earmarked for development by the council, which had planned to transfer them for to its arms-length development company BexleyCo.
According to a new report, Wilde Road is set be dropped from the company’s business plans – but plans for a smaller development will be submitted by the council next year.
The new business plan for BexleyCo, set to be approved next week, explains: “Following further work on the nature of those sites and their commercial viability it is suggested that the company will not include these sites in its latest business plan.
“Instead, it is proposed that these sites be reviewed by the council’s regeneration and growth team, with a view to bringing forward low density, quality development on both sites”.
The council has now confirmed plans to develop Wilde Road will be submitted in the spring.
A spokesman said: “Following the outcome of the council’s review of open spaces, on 15 November 2015 public cabinet authorised a number of sites, including Wilde Road open spaces, be brought forward for development.
“This was based on the council’s view that the sites can provide much-needed homes in the borough. Previous schemes at Wilde Road have been considered by planning committee but eventually refused.
“The council is now reviewing options for the site, noting the committee’s concerns, and aims to submit a new application for a lower density scheme spring 2019. Details will come forward as part of the normal Planning consultation process.”
The planning process for Wilde Road cost the council £167k, this newspaper revealed earlier this year.
Concerned neighbours argued the parks should be protected as they were included in the estate’s original planning permission.
Councillor Wendy Perfect, Labour opposition councillor for Northumberland Heath, said all developments should be opposed at the site.
Cllr Perfect said: “While I note the proposals to bring forward a smaller development at Wilde Road, I will continue to argue that the principle of development on this site should be opposed as it remains public open space granted to local people as part of a development in the 1990s.
“Bexley’s Tory councillors believe they will be able to overcome local opposition to building on green spaces with this revised proposal, but allowing planning permission on this site would set a dangerous precedent allowing any park or open space specifically set aside as part of a new development to be subsequently built on.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel