Both sides of development row (From News Shopper)

Both sides of development row

2:23pm Tuesday 20th June 2006

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A public inquiry into a £100m retail and housing development at the former Bell Green Gas Works was opened at Lewisham Town Hall last week.

Reporter SAMANTHA PAYNE looks at the arguments for and against the proposals.

The new secretary of state for local government Ruth Kelly will be making a decision on plans for a giant retail and housing complex in Bell Green, Sydenham.

Castlemore Securities wants to forge ahead with the next two phases of its development at the British Gas-owned site, which already has a Sainsbury's Savacentre.

Lewisham Council approved the developer's plans last July but a public inquiry was called in response to a wave of opposition by around 150 residents.

Since the inquiry opened on June 13, the developer, the council and the Sydenham Society has been putting evidence before Christina Downes from the Planning Inspectorate.

The Inspectorate is the appeals body for disputed planning issues.

The inquiry is expected to last another three days before the inspector recommends whether plans should go ahead.

The recommendation will then be passed on to Ruth Kelly, who will make a final decision, due later this year.

In his submission, on June 13, Christopher Lockhart-Mummery QC for Castlemore Securities Limited, said the two phases were interlinked.

He said without the retail element, it would not provide the necessary subsidy to provide affordable housing planned in phase three.

Mr Lockhart-Mummery said: "Both sites have been more or less in their present state for over 12 years.

"The retail development is not merely the most favourable option but the only realistic option for achieving regeneration."

Lewisham Council's barrister Stephen Morgan said: "The old gas works is crying out for completion of its re-development.

"The council accepts the retail element is required to contribute towards the cost of addressing the contamination on the sites.

"The proposals would be beneficial in reducing outflow of trade from the borough. The applicant is also contributing £200,000 towards employment and training.

"With the proposals would come not just the construction jobs but a range of jobs in manufacturing and business related employment available to people.

"This would be in addition to the jobs arising from the retail floorspace.

"The council also considers the proposals would cause no material harm to existing centres, has not unacceptable transportation consequences and no unacceptable environmental impact."

But Sydenham Society chairman Pat Trembath said: "We are very concerned about the vitality and viability for Forest Hill, Catford, and Penge.

"A business of this size would generate huge traffic jams and gridlock to Bell Green.

"The developer and Lewisham Council have not explored the consequential sites. You don't have to put everything together on one site.

"We have said the industrial site could be turned into a business or science park generating hi-tech jobs."

She added: "Why can't we have a thriving industrial and business park like there is in Bromley?

"We believe with the technology available to clear any contamination on the brown field site, there could also be more housing rather than retail units."

Phases two and three of the business and housing plans:

• Phase two includes a proposal for a 24,477sq m mixed-use scheme including industrial and business units, non-food retail units and a garden centre, a restaurant, use of Livesey Memorial Hall as a social club, highway improvements, 40 bicycle and 598 car parking spaces as well as provision of two pole- mounted CCTV cameras.

• Phase three at the junction of Bell Green and Southend Lane would see the construction of 11,613sq m of residential development incorporating 36 one- bedroom flats and 120 two-bedroom flats in two separate buildings and two retail units as well as provision of 164 bicycle and 111 car parking spaces.

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