Residents protest against sale of popular open space in Belvedere

There is a 200m patch of green land at the junction of Wellington Road and Napier Road which is used by locals for picnics, gatherings and play dates for their children.

Residents were informed that their beloved open space would be sold in a letter from Bexley Council on July 25.

Protesters claim their parking, privacy and quality of life will be greatly affected if the sale of the green land goes ahead.

Protesters say children will also be affected by the sale

Rima Mutimer, 70, of Heron Hill, uses the open space to garden, walk her dogs and play with her eight-year-old granddaughter, Grace.

She told News Shopper: “I take my dogs there for walks at night and if the patch was gone, then I’d have to walk them up these steep roads which wouldn’t be good for me.

“I’d also fear for my life if I had to walk my dogs to places that I’m not too sure of because I’m getting older and I can’t defend myself. It would be much safer to keep that green patch.”

The retired school teacher added: “If whoever buys the land builds flats, then the development will be looking down on our homes.

“There would be more cars and the parking here is quite tricky already, and this would make it worse.”

The letter addressing residents about the sale

It is not just Belvedere residents who are being affected by the sale, Bexley Council is attempting to flog off open spaces in Erith and Crayford.

Mike and Claire O’Connor, of Wellington Road, who are organising the residents’ campaign, said: “The sale of this land would be a devastating loss for this friendly, close-knit neighbourhood.

“It has been passed down the generations for residents to enjoy, with picnics, local children playing and meetings of neighbours for over 100 years.

“The strength of feeling against this plan is very strong and we are all urging the council to reconsider its plan and ensure it is not sold.”

The council is set to listen to the objections made by Belvedere residents in a meeting on October 5.

Councillor Peter Craske said all money made from the open space sales will be reinvested in parks and playgrounds across Bexley.

He added: “We are trying to avoid further cuts to the budget for playgrounds and parks and to do that we are selling 10 small pieces of land.

“Every penny made from the sales will be reinvested in the parks and playgrounds.

“People should submit their views to the council and we’ll be making a decision later on in the year.”