RESIDENTS say they are furious at a Bexley Council decision to sell off a former pop-in parlour at the bottom of their gardens, without telling residents.

Cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Linda Bailey took the decision in November last year to recommend the sale of the former Blackfen pop-in-parlour to the Ethnic Minority Foundation, for use by the Bexley Gujarati Samaj.

But residents have only just found out.

The only other organisation invited to make a bid was the nearby Ashdown Funeral Services, which wanted to used the building for bereavement counselling, coffee mornings and to invite existing users and other community groups to use it for meetings and events.

Scott Gallego the chairman of Sycamore Residents Association said he was aware of the possibility Bexley would sell the building, but had always assumed residents would be told when a decision to sell was made.

Instead, he says residents only found out after a bid had been accepted.

He said this has prevented any other local groups from putting in an offer.

Mr Gallego wrote to the council’s chief executive Will Tuckley complaining residents should have been told when the council first took the decision to put the building up for sale.

And he questioned how the council could know it was getting the best price for the building, if only two organisations were asked to bid.

But Mr Tuckey told him: “I can understand that you feel that you have not been kept fully informed, but the council considers that, to make any wide ranging communication to local residents prior to the final terms of any sale being agreed, would have been premature.”

Mr Gallego says residents are worried what the building will be used for after the sale.

He said: “We already have parking problems in the area.

“Where are the parking places for the building going to come from?”

Mr Gallego wants the council to halt the sale until all the residents affected are notified and given the opportunity to make objections and make any other bids.

A Bexley Council spokeswman said: "Having undertaken an appropriate marketing process, the council is of the view that there is no reason to review its disposal process or revise the decision."

She added:"The decision taken to dispose of the property at Sycamore Road was advertised on the council’s website and in the weekly Bexley Bulletin on November 26 2010.

"During 2009/10 steps were taken to establish local interest in the property for community use.

"Comments received from members of the public showed support for retained community use, as opposed to a disposal for residential development."

She said: "The prospective owners have indicated that community use will continue.

"The council accepted the highest bid for the property."