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www.northcrayresidents.org.uk
TO: Mrs Helen Acton, Development Control
FROM: Mrs Jean Gammons, Secretary DATE: 16 February 2016
Dear Mrs Acton
Ref 16/00290/FUL Manor Freehold Farm 67 Parsonage Lane Sidcup
This is to register our strong Objection to the application to convert the building currently
housing B1 units A-D to one forming two houses.
In summary, our Objection is based on:-
- the character of the site's setting
- its status as Green Belt & Heritage Land
- non-precedent at 65 Parsonage Lane
- impact as regards vehicular traffic and other factors
- the toxicity of the site
I will take each of these points in turn.
1. The character of the site's setting. The specific application site (appx 0.3ha) is only part
of a much larger area of what is currently agricultural land. Contrary to what is claimed in the
application document, the existing building can be seen from a public place, ie from Chalk
Wood (please see attached photos). Chalk Wood is a place enjoyed by the people of Bexley
and from further afield for the popular leisure pursuits of walking and riding, as is highlighted
on Bexley's own website (Leisure/Parks & Open Spaces). Although in some sense the
existing low-level building can be regarded as a blot on the landscape, it is of a type that one
expects to see on agricultural land. Its conversion to create two houses would be far worse: a
suburban development, and not what anyone would wish to see when looking across the open,
green landscape from Chalk Wood. See aso 2 below.
2. Its status The application site is in Green Belt & Heritage Land forming an important part
of the Cray Valley Heritage Land. The environmental importance of such land was
confirmed as recently as October 2015 by the planning inspector when considering a similar
application for a replacement of work units by houses at the neighbouring Orchard View Farm
(Appeal ref APP/D5120/W/15/3033665, Bexley's ref: 15/00015/FUL).
His arguments in support of his opinion that such a development was an inappropriate one in
Green Belt land is set out in his paras. 4-9, and in his paras 10-11 when he recognised the