All that glitters in Sidcup is not necessarily gold

A £20million office and homes development in Station Road is nearing gold-coloured completion, to the chagrin of some members of the public.

Named, The Fold, it consists of 98 flats, offices and a restaurant clad in gold-coloured copper.

Sidcup ward councillor June Slaughter said: “The worst thing about it is the style of it, the simply dreadful gold cladding.

“In reality it is even worse than it appeared on paper.

“It is absolutely hideous. It is totally at odds with its surroundings.”

Bexley Council’s planning control committee twice turned down the plans, described by Councillor Val Clark at the time as looking like a pile of biscuit tins, but they were allowed in April 2009 after a two-day appeal.

When making his decision, the planning inspector John Head said described the development as “high quality”, “innovative” and “contemporary”.

Cllr Slaughter said she opposed the building from the start, initially because it was too large and didn’t provide enough parking.

Bexley Civic Society’s planning committee chairman, John Mercer said: “I don’t like it, I think it looks too much like a hen coup. It is far too big.

“But I don’t see what we could do about it.

“The plans have been approved by the inspector.”

Developer United House’s sales and marketing director, Antony Crovella said there had been a “brilliant reaction” with more than 560 people registering their interest to buy.

Mr Crovella said: “They love the external design and the stylish interiors of the apartments. There is great anticipation about The Fold and we are confident that these homes will sell very quickly.”

United House said copper cladding has been used for centuries and has proved popular elsewhere. It is designed to fade to a “darker, burnished hue, while remaining a distinctive finish”.