By Charles Batchelor and Michael Haste
An online meeting with representatives of the company proposing to redevelop Leegate served only to increase local frustration with the planning process. The meeting with London Square on October 2nd, arranged by Lewisham’s planners, failed to satisfactorily answer concerns raised by the Lee Manor Society, Lee Forum, the Blackheath Society and other local residents.
Proposals to increase the number of dwellings, raise the height of most of the blocks and provide only minimal parking – described by the developers as ‘minor’ – are in the view of the Society, anything but minor. Yet the council appears willing to consider allowing London Square, using what is known as the ‘Section 73’ process, to classify these as ‘minor material amendments’ to planning approval given in 2024 to Galliard Homes, the previous owner of the site.
Forty individual residents and local conservation groups including the Lee Manor Society that had lodged objections or comments to Section 73 were invited to submit questions in advance. On the night the questions were put to the developer’s representatives by one of the Lee Green councillors, Eva Kestner. Her method to group questions – the Society had five – together in single blocks, allowed London Square to avoid responding to individual issues.
Lee Manor Society’s representatives at the meeting felt London Square glossed over a number of significant issues in trying to get to grips with everything that was put to them, Those listening into the responses were unable to challenge the developer.
Aspects of the proposed development which were aired during the meeting included:
- The lack of parking for deliveries or anyone working in the flats (for example plumbers, electricians, decorators.) It’s now well known that there will be no parking for residents, except Blue Badge holders.
- London Square insisted there would be two “commercial” spaces for deliveries and tradespeople but it seems these will be in the existing lay-by on Eltham Road.
- London Square pointed out that for most of the day (except between 10 AM and noon) there is free parking in the neighbouring streets. This approach may not be popular with residents.
- London Square confirmed that in order to squeeze in more homes they had reduced the planned size of the one-bedroom flats. Some of those attending said the proposal indicated the flats would be little more than “rabbit hutches”. Several residents at the meeting repeated their belief that London Square was simply trying to maximise its profits – which the developer denied.
- The plan for an 17-storey tower block facing the Lee Green Crossroads was challenged as being at odds with Lewisham’s adopted Local Plan which recommends (normally) a maximum of 12 storeys in the area. Lewisham was represented at the meeting by Geoff Whitington, principal planning officer in the council’s development management team but his role was solely to listen to the questions and comments, and he did not respond to this or any other points. The Lee Manor Society had met Mr Whitington in August to express our concerns about the proposed ‘minor’ changes.
Lewisham planners have promised to issue minutes of the meeting within the next week.
This article has been updated.
