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NOTES

1. True nature of the application and history of the site. This is not a case of a resident in
Parsonage Lane trying to exploit their land for financial gain which, in itself, would be unacceptable
as the land is Green Belt & Heritage Land. It is an application from someone outside North Cray
who has purchased this large residential plot purely to exploit its commercial potential. It shows no
regard for local residents who are fiercely protective of this largely unspoilt and peaceful part of the
Green Belt (which is unique within Bexley) nor any consideration for the profound effect it would
have on users of the local lanes – horse-riders, people walking their dog/s to the wood in Cocksure
Lane or to Joydens Wood, ramblers and cyclists.

This property, with its large acreage of grazing land, was previously owned by an international pony
pair & carriage competitor representing Great Britain. He built the stables and barn for this
purpose. It was never a commercial site and so should not be considered brownfield land.

2. NPPF Paras 89 and 90 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.

3. Increased Traffic

Volume: The on-site parking need is said to be for 18 cars, two motor cycles, six cycles and two 12
minibuses and it is proposed that pupils (from a catchment area that includes Bromley, Lewisham,
Greenwich, Essex and East Sussex!) will be ferried in by minibus from Bexley Station (which is on
a loop line) or travel by bus on the only bus route (the 492, one that does not run further than Sidcup
and then only every half hour). This makes it very likely that many pupils will be taken to and from
the school by private car or taxi, thus increasing the amount of traffic and creating even more
problems for residents as there is no off-site parking near the proposed school. Again, the school
will have no control over this, nor over the routes taken by parents etc. The narrow blind bend at
the bottom of Parsonage Lane is already a notorious daily hazard for vehicles and pedestrians.
Worse, the main entrance/exit point for the proposed school is highly dangerous as it is on a blind
bend in a narrow lane and turning right risks collision with oncoming vehicles, pedestrians and
horse-riders.

Yet more vehicular traffic severely increases the possibility of obstruction in these lanes. This
would endanger life and property should an ambulance or fire engine be unable to get through – a
very real threat.

Timing: Contrary to what is being claimed (a “very short, time span, morning and evening”),
Parsonage Lane, Bunkers Hill and Cocksure Lane will become 'no go' areas for local people from
around 7.30 to 8.30am and again around 3.30 to 5pm – also in the evenings as after-school clubs
and activities are being planned. All this will impact on motorists, pedestrians and on the many
horse riders who use these lanes. (See Note 3)

4. Change of Use Apart from the remnant of Gattons Wood 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.

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