Page 29 - Archive in reverse date order

6 Planning Statement:-

7.2 This argues that, as the NPPF encourages the re-use of vacant and derelict land for
housing, the current application is appropriate for such planning approval. But in this case, the
land in question is not vacant, nor derelict land but a garden (albeit neglected) with mature
trees and valuable biodiversity.

7.5 This argues that the proposed five new dwellings would make a key contribution to
Bexley's housing supply. It would not – and at what cost to the amenities of local residents
and their environment! And an examination of Bexley's Growth Strategy: our emerging
Vision confirms what we were told by Planning last year: there are no plans for new homes in
the south of the borough – the identified targets for Bexley's housing growth are all in the
north of the borough. Furthermore, we know of several houses within walking distance of the
application site that are awaiting sale and six more will become available at 139 North Cray
Road (another Brookworth Homes development?). We consider that with the latter (a very
unwelcome development in Green Belt land), together with the housing estate built a few
years ago on the site of our school and playing fields, North Cray has already made a
significant contribution towards increasing Bexley's housing supply. Surely this is enough.

8.5 This acknowledges that the need to preserve residential amenity is a key consideration.
But the current application fails in this respect. Please see 3 above.

7. Historic Cedar Tree Of the two Cedar trees mentioned as being in this garden land in
1985, only one remains – the other having been lost in a gale some years ago. The surviving
Cedar (and the one in the garden of No. 18 St James Way) is of great heritage importance as
it was planted by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in c1782 as part of his landscaping of North
Cray Place (whose parkland now forms Foots Cray Meadows). The history of the Cedar trees
in the gardens of Nos. 22 and 18 St James Way and their connection with 'Capability' Brown
has been confirmed by English Heritage. Both are protected by TPOs (reference 68/1246).
These trees are very important to local residents, and important too in the history of North
Cray. We all share the concern expressed in 1973, and again in 1985, that their roots would
be damaged in excavating for building foundations and in building a new access road. We
are not reassured by the applicant's Arboricultural Survey Report as this makes no reference to
the very real threat of root damage from the building of house foundations etc. We are also
particularly concerned by the proposal (clearly shown on the Plans for this site) to severely
prune this Cedar tree for the benefit of the proposed new houses. It is for this reason that we
are copying this letter to Bexley's TPO officer.

8. Historic wall We can find no reference in any of the 32 Documents submitted by the
applicant to any Listed Building Consent. Have they applied to Bexley Council? Have they
been granted Consent?

9. Concern expressed by residents Please see Appx B to this letter, which lists some of the
concerns expressed directly to this Association by local residents. Following these emails,
they called a public meeting – one attended by upwards of 35 people. Since then, they have
formed a sub-committee of ten under the umbrella of our Association. Such is the strength of
feeling against this proposed housing development on the part of local residents.