Chris Best

On site at 259 - 265 Sydenham Road

Permission granted for new build

Amicus Horizon are now on site building 17 new affordable homes.

This follows concerns from local residents and the Sydenham Society who wanted:

1. Retention of the front facade in a red brick to keep Victorian street scape
2. Retention of a pitched roof to remain in keeping with the surrounding area
3. The flat roof looks higher than the ridge line because of the light colour of the brick work
4. Concern with the number of children that could be living in the scheme - for the 17 flats the allocation to families would mean 29 children - although there is a park opposite the noise levels may increase considerably for adjoining neighbours
5. The rear communal courtyard garden is North facing and with the 17 cycle spaces at the rear plus space to dry washing may mean this is not an attractive space for residents
6. Adjoining neighbours expressed their concern with loss of privacy and although a green screen was proposed they were very worried about the amenity loss of light as well as their peace and quiet enjoyment of their home.

At the Planning Committee meeting on the 15 December the report was incomplete and whilst a decision to approve was granted there was a further meeting on Thursday 2 February.

Residents presented a further petition objecting to the scheme and complaining about the lack of a pre planning application meeting where the option to retain the building could have been discussed in more detail.

As the local Councillor I attended both Planning Committee meetings and spoke against the planning application under Standing Orders as I would like to see the facade retained. However the Planning Committee members granted approval as the new building would be more sustainable than the existing Victorian building.