Greenwich Kidbrooke Village: New homes to be built

Greenwich Council held a planning committee meeting, made up of Greenwich Councillors, on Tuesday, May 21 and the plan was proposed by applicants Berkeley Homes.

The approved development plans, based at buildings A and B in Kidbrooke Village, will see 526 residential units replacing a scheme with existent planning permission for 382 units.

The new scheme plans to increase the height of the buildings to add 144 more units, with an increased play space provision, additional lifts, and stairs to comply with fire safety, and a reduced under croft layout by reducing car parking and increasing cycle parking.

The development is divided into two complexes: the A Blocks (two blocks to the north) and the B Blocks (three blocks to the south).

The proposed affordable housing includes 41 units to buy, 29 for affordable rent and 12 for shared ownership.

86 trees are planned to be removed as part of the development, with 260 new trees set to be planted.

Speaking at the committee, Andy Sloane, planning officer at the Royal Borough of Greenwich, identified that there has been 85 objections to the plans.

These objections were made by local residents and officers.

Objections include infrastructure support for a growing population; walking and cycling safety; loss of trees and green space; negative environmental impacts; development plan departure; impacts on townscape and heritage; overdevelopment; traffic and parking issues; loss of privacy and light; and limited employment benefits.

Speaking at the planning committee, Councillor Pat Greenwell said: “What stands out to me is the loss of 86 trees.

“You say that there is going to be a robust landscaping plan and we’ve seen the pictures, but trees take years and years to mature.

“The cost of putting 260 new trees in is going to cost an absolute fortune; can some of them be saved and what happens if the trees die?"

In response, Andy Sloane, planning officer, said that he is “aware” that there is not a mixed variety of trees at the location, and if any of the trees die within five years of planting, they are required to replace those trees under the planning conditions that are put on the scheme.

He added: “Generally they've stated in the application that the trees are going to be six to eight years, there's going to be an approach of ‘right tree, right place’.

“So, whether we're relying on large mature trees being planted, they will plant mature trees.”

In response to the concerns surrounding the trees, Paul Prichard, lead speaker for applicants Berkeley Homes, said the company is “confident” that as the proposed trees mature, they will eventually exceed the current crown cover of the existing trees.

At the meeting, Councillor David Gardner addressed concerns that the nearby Kidbrooke Park Road is a “very busy road”, and asked what enhancements there will be to make it a “living street”.

Planning Officer Andy Sloane said that TfL has commented directly on this and mentioned the use of an “Orca” – a cycle lane separator – which would be installed in front of the development on both sides of the road.

The News Shopper reached out to TfL, who said it doesn’t have “anything further to add” at this stage.

Resident Michael Saville, who had three objections to the proposed plans, said: “In September, there will be one primary school for the entire area.

“So, if this is supposed to be family friendly, where are the children going to school?

“Parents won't be able to drive them as there won't be anywhere for cars to park.”

Speaking on behalf of neighbouring school Thomas Tallis, teachers James Baker and Reece Byron said that at “no point” did Berkeley contact the school regarding the play spaces.

James said: “One of the things we're really concerned about is emissions – there is a lot of concern that any large scale of mature trees will only add to emissions and the dangers emissions pose on the health of children.

“We believe it’s unacceptable that no provision is clearly made to accommodate the loss of habitat, while the proposed replacement trees are established.

“The news of the plans to remove green spaces have resulted in confusion, and outrage among staff, students, and parents alike, as it appears to contradict the values of spouse by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.”

“Taking away the greenspace from children would be highly inappropriate”, Reece Byron, student speaker at Thomas Tallis added.

In response, Councillor Maisie Richard Cottell asked the Thomas Tallis speakers if the land should be “kept as it is” and undeveloped.

“Our opinion is that it should be kept as a social commons – there’s a lot of talk about play spaces, but it’s not geared at the kids that we teach at that age group”, James Baker added.

Paul Prichard, speaker on behalf of Berkely Homes, said he is “surprised” as the school is “very much” within the catchment of the consultation that they reportedly covered.

He said: “We have distributed 9,000 letters within the Kidbrooke Village area, including to the school and the council advertised the consultation.

“We hope to continue to be good neighbours with the school.”

Dave Sullivan Labour’s councillor for Kidbrooke Village and Sutcliffe said the plans would be “a lot more contentious than it's actually turned out”.

He added: “Most communications have had been around the trees, and I'm satisfied that the officers and Berkeley Homes have done everything they've positive to resolve that issue.”

At the end of the planning committee meeting, Councillors David Gardner, Pat Greenwell, Maisie Richards Cottell, Olu Babatola and Chair Councillor Gavin Dillon came to a unanimous decision and approved the development plans to build an additional 144 homes at the site in Kidbrooke Village.