The Bell Green saga takes dramatic turn

The plan to build a new retail and business complex next to the Sainsbury Savacentre is put on hold. Details of the scheme can be found <here>

• In June Lewisham planning committee first turn down and then defer approval
  
• In July Lewisham planning reconsider and approve proposal
  
• In September Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London approves the scheme
  
• In October the Secretary of State 'calls in' the scheme for a public enquiry
  

The tussle between the developers, backed by Lewisham planning department and local councillors and strongly opposed by the local civic society, many local residents and businesses will now enter a further stage of vigorous debate.

The arguements about the impact on business, traffic congestion and desireability of a huge retail park on the former Gasworks site will be replayed in a new forum. We don't have dates yet - as the decision came as a surprise to many after approval at both borough and city level.

The calling in of the scheme will be seen as a famous victory for the Sydenham Society chair Pat Trembath. Pat led opposition to the scheme mailing all residents in Forest Hill urging them to protest the decision - see letter below:

Dear Householder

Redevelopment of the Bell Green site

Lewisham Council recently approved the planning application for this redevelopment. The decision was taken despite the overwhelming opposition of local residents. Lewisham Council received some 143 replies to their consultation exercise; 132 were against the proposed retail park and only 11 were in favour (92% against, 8% for).

Your views were ignored by councillors. During the debate on the planning application not one councillor even mentioned the opinions of local residents.

The Sydenham Society believes Lewisham Council has made a bad decision: bad for local residents, bad for Sydenham and bad for Forest Hill and Catford.

The issue now moves to the Greater London Authority (GLA). We are writing to the GLA asking them to reject the planning application on planning grounds. These grounds are:

• The large increase in traffic volumes and in congestion which are in conflict with both Government and GLA policy.
  
• The very serious effect the proposed retail park would have on shops and businesses in Sydenham, Forest Hill and Catford.

We also want the GLA to invite Lewisham Council and British Gas to prepare a better plan. This would include:

• Housing for sale, shared ownership or rent. This would help to meet the present acute shortage of affordable housing.
• Units for small business and industry.
• A small retail element.

Other pages on the Bell Green saga:

• July strategic planning report (go-ahead) <here>
• June strategic planning report (deferral) <here>
• Planning application in more detail <here>