Lewisham Council’s engagement with the community on a planning development has been criticised.

It comes after Sydenham residents raised concerns over a Lewisham Homes proposal to build 22 homes and flats for social rent on the Hillcrest Estate.

Residents of the estate and surrounding area were walked through the plans at a meeting with councillors, Lewisham Homes representatives and London Assembly member for Lewisham, Len Duvall.

Plans include replacing the Hillcrest Clubroom with a 17-flat, six-storey building, four two-storey houses in High Level Drive, and one four-bedroom house in Bluebell Close.

Residents questioned whether the development could not take place in another area due to concerns which included the loss of trees and green space, and extra pressure on amenities including parking.

Resident Annette Elliott-Dunn said she had seen stag beetles in green space up for development, with tree canopy also acting as a path for bats.

But Lewisham Council cabinet member for housing Cllr Paul Bell said every site in the borough “had been looked at.”

He emphasised the pressure of the housing crisis with 1,930 residents in temporary accommodation in the borough – 530 of which are in nightly paid accommodation.

“London has too many people. We have far too many people on the housing wait list,” he said.

Residents were also concerned with how the plans had been communicated.

Mr Duvall said the council could have done more to engage with residents and listen to concerns about the development.

“There is a perception from residents that the council haven’t been playing with a straight bat,” he said.

“[The council] should be walking an extra mile to lead to a better trust.”

Addressing Cllr Bell, he said: “People around here don’t believe you, they don’t believe the council and they don’t believe the planners.

“It is about the provision of information and how we can get to the bottom of those answers,” he said.

Any tree that is lost will be replaced at a 2:1 ratio, according to council documents.