Our latest newsletter featured proposals for the development of 71 flats and 260 square metres of commercial property in Perry Vale adjacent to Forest Hill station.  

revised proposed front elevation

major concerns

We had major concerns about the plans and its relationship to the strategy for the regeneration of Forest Hill.   Objections were received not only from us but from the Sydenham Society, the Forest Hill Society and a number of local residents.However, Lewisham Council's planning officers were in favour of the development and, a meeting on 9 th November, the Council's Planning Committee granted approval for the scheme to go ahead.

no local councillors present

Representatives of the Association were at the meeting and a member of the Sydenham Society spoke on behalf of all the objectors summarising our concerns.   However, it was notable that none of the Councillors for Forest Hill or Perry Vale Wards were at the meeting and, to our knowledge, the only input from them was an e-mail from Susan Wise, Councillor for Perry Vale Ward, supporting the scheme.   The scheme was also supported by the Forest Hill Traders Association, the Forest Hill Business Working Group, the South Lewisham Town Centre Manager and 21 letters from local residents, mostly in Perry Vale and Dartmouth Road.

contrast to previous decisions

The granting of permission for the Perry Vale scheme was in contrast to the previous application heard by the committee for a redevelopment of the Green Man pub opposite Homebase in Sydenham with 54 apartments.   Again there was strong local opposition.   Although the development was at a density way above that in the Council's planning guidelines, the flats and two level apartments were much more spacious than those proposed in Perry Vale, there were shared and private gardens and a roof terrace.   There was also a relatively generous provision of parking spaces.   However, following a strong presentation of objections by a local Councillor, the Committee refused planning permission citing the density of development, traffic problems and insensitivity to adjacent listed properties.

improved proposal

In fairness to the Council and the developers of the Perry Vale site, it should be noted that there have been numerous improvements to the proposals during the course of seeking planning permission.   We would particularly note the reduction in height of the centre part of the development compared to the picture featured on the front of the newsletter.   This has been done to improve views of the spire of Christchurch from the centre of Forest Hill.   The roof will incorporate solar heating panels and the whole block will be served by a high efficiency shared heating system.   Provision has been made for a ventilation system for flats facing Perry Vale where opening windows may not be practicable because of noise from the road and railway.   The developers have also undertaken to clean up, repaint and relight the station underpass and to clean up the railway embankment in the area.   There will also be significant hard and soft landscaping in the area including road improvements, tree planting and the provision of bicycle storage.

Although we would have preferred a less intensive development, we have to accept that the new building will be less of an eyesore than the existing sheds and derelict land!

Andrew Reid