Contentious plans to concrete over a much-loved park in Sidcup are to be heard again by Bexley Councillors.
A revised scheme for Old Farm Park will be debated later this week, years after the council agreed to use the open green space for housing.
Outline planning permission has already been controversially granted for 30 houses and 30 flats, to the dismay of neighbours and park-goers.
Now, detailed plans, including scaling back the number of homes by two, are being put to councillors for final sign off on Thursday, May 30.
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'This will be your legacy': Sidcup residents urge Bexley council to save Old Farm ParkIn a new report, officers said: “The proposed submission details result in a form of development which is both acceptable in layout scale and form without detriment to neighbours or amenity and result in an increase in overall benefits for housing provision and leisure opportunities.”
“This application, as originally submitted, sought approval to revise the description of the development, namely the reduction of the number of units from 60 to 58 comprising 28 houses and 30 flats and discharge a range of conditions attached to the original outline planning permission.”
According to the fresh plans, 36 per cent of the new homes will be “affordable” housing, just above the council’s target on new developments, but split between affordable rent and shared ownership.
A dozen neighbours have again objected to the plans following a large residents campaign dubbed “Save Old Farm Park”.
Residents say new houses will lead to overcrowding and over-development, with one neighbour commenting: “It is outrageous that the London Borough of Bexley is granting itself planning permission to build on a park.”
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Khan accused of breaking promise of dedicated PCs in London wardsBexley Civic Society have objected to the proposals, saying that the proposed larger houses would be closer to the boundary, having an impact on neighbours
Old Farm Park has long been in the headlines, with early plans for the green space dating back to 2015.
A petition of more than 2,000 signatures was handed into the council urging them to refrain from building on the park four years ago.
The revised detailed planning application will be debated at the Civic Centre later this week.
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