MANY people are looking forward to the new facilities which will open soon at one of Bexley’s historical jewels.

But there is one group which claims their needs have been totally forgotten in the plans to upgrade Hall Place in Bourne Road, Bexley.

They are the dog walkers who have been using the extensive Hall Place grounds to walk their dogs for many years.

After their walks, they also meet up regularly at the cafe for a cuppa and a chat and to use the public toilets.

The old cafe which fronted onto the car park is about to close, and the new cafe will now be part of a “hub” — a modern glass and brick building which will house a reception area, an education suite and a new tearoom with outside decking which will overlook the River Cray.

It is part of a £5.6m project by Bexley Heritage Trust, which runs Hall Place for the council, to upgrade facilities and renovate the Tudor house.

But dogs will be banned from the new tearoom and the new toilets which will be housed in the former stable block.

One angry dog walker said: “The dog owners are the only group of people who use the park on a daily basis come rain or shine.

“Bexley Council totally forgot about the needs of the people who walk their dogs.”

She claimed once the new tearoom is opened “this very large group of people” will no longer be able to meet up to chat or use the new toilets.

The dog walkers also say they were never consulted about where the cafe and toilets would be relocated.

Bexley Council says the heritage trust does not allow dogs on its property but says there is ample space close by for people to leave their dogs while they use the toilets.

However, it admits dog owners will no longer be able to use the tearoom if they want to bring their dogs with them.