Perry Street farm, located at the western end of Mayplace Avenue, features a cluster of redundant WWII agricultural outbuildings, a farmhouse, and a telecommunications mast.
The site is housed on green belt land and the plans includes transforming the nine agricultural structures into homes with two carports, in addition to making necessary upgrades to on-site hard surfacing and highway improvements.
During the consultation period, 14 letters of objection were received from ten households and a residents’ association.
Among the concerns raised were fears of potential negative impacts on property values, heightened pressure on water and internet services, strain on local infrastructure, alterations to established views, the loss of children’s play space, potential highway safety issues, and disturbances to local tranquillity due to construction activity.
Despite these objections, the application secured approval from the Bexley Council following a planning meeting on April 11.
The approval came after the application addressed several concerns, pledging to uphold the unique rural character of the site.
The Trustees Of Russell Stoneham Estate, the applicants, assured councillors that there would be no significant impact on the Green Belt’s openness, and that the visual appeal of both the site and its surrounding area would be maintained.
It was emphasized that this approval would not serve as a precedent for further housing development within this portion of the Green Belt, as each development proposal would be evaluated on an individual basis.
Regarding the loss of children’s play space, it was clarified that the area in question was not officially designated as such.
The applicant maintained that the plan aims to provide suitable living conditions for future residents, with any impact on local infrastructure to be carefully considered to ensure the preservation of living standards and amenities.
