Page 10 - Archive in reverse date order
P. 10

more than “minor alterations”.  Such renovation would constitute a 'new build' in Green Belt land;
            but with no very special circumstances. In their place would be new buildings not in the same use.

            Paras 89 and 90 of the NPPF clearly state that (a) the re-use of existing buildings in the Green Belt is
            permissible – provided they are of permanent and substantial construction. The stables and barn are
            not and (b) that the replacement of a building is permissible, provided the new building is in the
            same use. This is not the case here. The planned “conversion” of these buildings would constitute a
            'new  build',  contrary  to  what  is  permitted  in  the  Green  Belt,  unless  there  are  very  special
            circumstances.  There are none.

            Para 81 states that once a Green Belt has been defined, the local authority should then plan positively
            to enhance its beneficial use, e.g. to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity.
            This aim is supported by Bexley's Policies CS01, ENV4 and ENV22.  Establishing a school is not
            stated as a 'beneficial use' in this paragraph, nor in any other part of the NPPF guidance. Nor would a
            school  on  this  site  be  beneficial  to  the  environment  in  any  way.  On  the  contrary,  it  would  be
            inappropriate and harmful – with no very special circumstances.

            Nature of site
            The site is on high ground, visible from two viewpoints and lies in Green Belt/Heritage Land that is
            open and Semi-Rural.  It is not land within an Urban area and - unless all dwellings with a garden
            and ancillary outbuildings are regarded as previously developed (brownfield) land - we dispute that
            this is the case here.

            The  site  is  residential,  not  commercial. The  house  was  built  over  50  years  ago  when  it  was  then
            occupied by a nurseryman working for the large nursery business which, we understand from local
            knowledge,  owned  it.  Local  knowledge  also  confirms  that  no  commercial  business  was  ever
            conducted from the site and the nurseryman left over 40 years ago.

            Since  then,  the  site  has  continued  to  be  residential  comprising  a  dwelling  with  ancillary  garden
            outbuildings.  Until the property's recent sale to the applicant, with its large acreage of grazing land,
            it was owned by an international pony & carriage competitor.  He built the stables and barn for this
            purpose. Two of these, the stables and the barn, are “redundant” only because the new owner does
            not wish to use them for the purpose for which they were built. We have to point out, too, that this
            site (with its adjoining land and private equestrian outbuildings) was sold as a residential property –
            and with a price reflecting its Green Belt limitations!

            We  stress  again,  the  site  was  never  a  commercial  one  and  so  should  not  be  considered
            brownfield land.

            Change of use
            As stated above, the impact on the character of the neighbourhood arising from a change of use from
            residential  to  a  school  would  be  severe.    For  Bexley's  Green  Belt,  this  Application  is  the  most
            inappropriate and potentially damaging we have yet seen and at odds with Policies CS06 and CS17.

            Apart from the remnant of Gattons Plantation (ancient woodland area) to the east of the site, a stud
            farm to the north, and woodland and a cemetery to the west, the area is predominantly residential.
            The presence of a school would significantly change the character of the area. Moreover, granting
            permission  for  a  change  of  use  of  a  residential  plot  into  a  highly  profitable  commercial  venture
            (which the proposed school would be) would also signal the gradual destruction of Bexley's Green
            Belt as other site owners in the area (residential or agricultural) look to take advantage of such a
            change of policy.  Indeed, allowing a change of use for number 48 Parsonage Lane from residential



                                                            3
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15