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Churchyard part of deal to build 161 homes
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| The yard at St Paulinus church |
AN ANCIENT churchyard which became a wildlife haven after it closed six years ago is to get a new lease of life.
But the price Crayford people will pay for the extension to the St Paulinus churchyard, in Perry Street, will be 161 new flats on nearby fields.
Developer City and Docklands Perry Street Ltd has "gifted" the land for the extension to the churchyard.
This was after receiving planning permission to build three blocks of flats on open land further along Perry Street.
The housing development was supported by Crayford councillors at the planning control sub-committee, but opposed by the residents whose homes are next to the development site, and the town forum.
No-one was available from the company to say whether the church would have got the new graveyard site if the plans for the homes had been refused.
City and Docklands Perry Street intends to build three blocks of flats on a three-acre field next to Victoria Scott Court, a sheltered housing scheme in Perry Street.
The development will consist of 81 one-
bedroom, 62 two-bedroom, eight three-
bedroom, two four-bedroom and eight studio flats, 47 of which will be affordable homes.
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| Cllr Melvin Seymour |
Emma Sampson, speaking on behalf of the residents of the neighbouring Ashurst Close, said one of the blocks would be just a few feet away from her home.
She claimed the development was too
big, would change the open character of the area and bring even more traffic onto Perry Street.
Ms Sampson also claimed not all the residents had been told about the plans and many felt they had not had an opportunity to express their views.
Ian Lindon from the Crayford Forum said its members were unhappy the blocks would be three storeys high and Perry Street has no
direct bus route.
The agent for the developer, Barry Stanford, said the new homes would "round off the
development in Perry Street and create a strong boundary with the rest of the surrounding fields which are Metropolitan Open Space".
Crayford councillor Melvin Seymour said the town needed more quality accommodation and the development would benefit the wider community.
He said the council was trying to obtain bus routes along Perry Street.
Cllr Seymour added: "This development,
attached to the graveyard plans, will benefit Crayford for a number of years to come."
Fellow Crayford councillor Howard Marriner also backed the development but said a lights-controlled pedestrian crossing in Perry Street was "imperative".
Councillor John Fuller agreed with residents' concerns about the traffic in Perry Street, claiming it was often at a standstill when football matches were being played at nearby Crayford Arrows.
He said he would like to see more two-storey houses to blend in with existing homes.
Councillor John Eastaugh said he was
surprised to see flats being built in that location, but the plans were approved by eight votes to four.
As part of its proposals, the developer also bought a 2.2-acre field next to St Paulinus, which is currently used to graze horses.
City and Docklands Perry Street now plans to hand this over to the church, so it can reopen the churchyard for burials.
The church was built in 1100, and the closure of the churchyard in 2002 because it was full was a blow to the town.
Since then, it has been turned into a wildlife-friendly living churchyard project.
Crayford councillor Geraldene Lucia-Hennes was named by Cllr Seymour as the driving force behind the deal to get the churchyard
reopened.
9:44am Wednesday 2nd April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Tracey, Crayford on 11:12am Wed 2 Apr 08
I live in Ashurst close and I agree with the comment that the properties should be no more than two stories high to fit in with the surrounding properties that are already there.
Also where is the entrance to this new estate going to be??? The traffic along perry street is already hazardous, especially on a weekend when the football fields are being used.
I live in Ashurst close and I agree with the comment that the properties should be no more than two stories high to fit in with the surrounding properties that are already there.
Also where is the entrance to this new estate going to be??? The traffic along perry street is already hazardous, especially on a weekend when the football fields are being used.
Posted by: Tigs on 12:54pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Doesn't anyone think it's wrong to not only build on graves but to destroy somewhere that had become a wildlife haven?
Doesn't anyone care about the vanishing green areas in this country. All the lovely animals and birds that we'll lose? More foxes will become urban as their natural food sources go. Then that will scare or purely annoy suburbanites when they go rummaging in human bins for food.
They have to feed themselves and their young somehow as they are very resourceful.
Ironic that the piece says "New Lease of Life". Yes, human. Death for animal.
Doesn't anyone think it's wrong to not only build on graves but to destroy somewhere that had become a wildlife haven?
Doesn't anyone care about the vanishing green areas in this country. All the lovely animals and birds that we'll lose? More foxes will become urban as their natural food sources go. Then that will scare or purely annoy suburbanites when they go rummaging in human bins for food.
They have to feed themselves and their young somehow as they are very resourceful.
Ironic that the piece says "New Lease of Life". Yes, human. Death for animal.
Posted by: Monica, Bexleyheath on 1:02pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Sadly life is all about making money/profits.
Money money money - what a sad, sad world its becoming.
Sadly life is all about making money/profits.
Money money money - what a sad, sad world its becoming.
Posted by: Trodat on 1:12pm Wed 2 Apr 08
They aren't building on graves if you read it properly.
They aren't building on graves if you read it properly.
Posted by: The real Me, Here on 1:45pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Yeah Tigs you dingbat!
Melvin Seymour = Jim Robinson from Neighbours.
Yeah Tigs you dingbat!
Melvin Seymour = Jim Robinson from Neighbours.
Posted by: ann, barnehurst on 2:19pm Wed 2 Apr 08
[bold]bold[/bold] [italic]italic[/italic] stop building houses we need new schools in crayford . people already fighting over limted school places . more homes bring more children . build more schools & hospitals.
stop building houses we need new schools in crayford . people already fighting over limted school places . more homes bring more children . build more schools & hospitals.
Posted by: SUE, Crayford on 2:38pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Why is it that our conservative party want to build, build, build. They are planning to build a school on one of Crayford's green areas and now build more flats.
WE do not have the transportation to suit the younger people of the Borough to their schools. Children have no way of getting to Trinity from Crayford. So why not address that rather than build more houses to out more burden on our lacking transportation system. Saturdays and Sundays are dangerous along Perry St due to the parking of the Crayford Arrows FC. Come on Councillor Seymour, give Crayford what they need now. Buses to our local feeder schools and a safe environment, not more houses, congested roads. Can i suggest you live in inner London if you want to be surrounded by buildings.
Why is it that our conservative party want to build, build, build. They are planning to build a school on one of Crayford's green areas and now build more flats.
WE do not have the transportation to suit the younger people of the Borough to their schools. Children have no way of getting to Trinity from Crayford. So why not address that rather than build more houses to out more burden on our lacking transportation system. Saturdays and Sundays are dangerous along Perry St due to the parking of the Crayford Arrows FC. Come on Councillor Seymour, give Crayford what they need now. Buses to our local feeder schools and a safe environment, not more houses, congested roads. Can i suggest you live in inner London if you want to be surrounded by buildings.
Posted by: mark, Dartfrod on 6:15am Thu 3 Apr 08
All these new homes, but Where are the decent jobs that support these new developments?
All these new homes, but Where are the decent jobs that support these new developments?
Posted by: The real Me, Here on 10:10am Thu 3 Apr 08
[quote][bold]mark[/bold] wrote:
All these new homes, but Where are the decent jobs that support these new developments?[/quote] Grave Digger?
mark wrote:
All these new homes, but Where are the decent jobs that support these new developments?
Grave Digger?
Posted by: dave wright, kent on 8:14pm Thu 3 Apr 08
More cars, more mess, more people. To many people to many scum families
More cars, more mess, more people. To many people to many scum families
Posted by: dolly, barnhurst on 6:28pm Sat 5 Apr 08
its good news about church geting new lease off life , but is the 2.2 acre feild beng given to church just top half or complete feild that horses are grazing on , im unsure size off 2.2 acres ,
its good news about church geting new lease off life , but is the 2.2 acre feild beng given to church just top half or complete feild that horses are grazing on , im unsure size off 2.2 acres ,
Posted by: Cllr. Simon Windle, Bexleyheath on 10:23am Sun 20 Apr 08
In response to Ann of Barnehurst, currently there is plenty of spare places in local primary schools. I agree that the local area needs a new secondary school which is why the Council, with the support of the Crayford Ward Councillors, Geraldene Lucia-Hennis, Howard Marriner and Melvin Seymour, have been promoting a new Academy, sponsored by Haberdashers' Askes and Temple Grove Trust, in Iron Mill Lane. That is currently at Feasibility Stage and it is intended that that the first intake of Year 7 pupils will start in September 2010.
Cllr. Simon Windle
Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services
In response to Ann of Barnehurst, currently there is plenty of spare places in local primary schools. I agree that the local area needs a new secondary school which is why the Council, with the support of the Crayford Ward Councillors, Geraldene Lucia-Hennis, Howard Marriner and Melvin Seymour, have been promoting a new Academy, sponsored by Haberdashers' Askes and Temple Grove Trust, in Iron Mill Lane. That is currently at Feasibility Stage and it is intended that that the first intake of Year 7 pupils will start in September 2010.
Cllr. Simon Windle
Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services
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