Lewisham plans to build council homes on existing estates

In 2019, the council looked into bringing forward a series of sites for infill development, where vacant or under-used parcels of land within existing urban areas are developed. 

According to a Building for Lewisham programme requirements report, going before mayor and cabinet on Wednesday evening (May 19), the earmarked sites include Valentine Court in Perry Vale, Dacres Estate, Perry Vale, Drakes Court in Forest Hill, Greystead Road Estate in Forest Hill, Hensford Gardens in Sydenham, Markwell Close, Prospect Close, and Peter’s Path in Sydenham, and Walsham Road in Telegraph Hill. 

All the proposed schemes, which are not yet set in stone, are still subject to planning permission and further feedback from locals. 

Following initial consultations with residents on the estates, mayor and cabinet are recommended to consider the responses and “agree to continue with the proposals to build to new homes” on each site.  

Valentine Court Estate  

The plans affect the amenity land to the south of blocks 61 to 72 and 73 to 84 Valentine Court, the existing playground area, the area adjoining the end of block 1 to 20, the parking area to the north of block 21 to 32, and the area around the laundry building.  

Residents would lose access to some of the land permanently and some temporarily during construction, while the caretaker facility and laundry building would be demolished.  

“The proposal is for four main areas on the estate to be used as sites for new affordable council housing for those in housing need.  

“The plans may involve the early demolition of the caretaker facility and laundry building in advance of the main construction works.  

“Once demolished, these areas will be left secure until the main construction works for the new homes begin.  

“If approved, demolition of the garages and surrounding hardstanding is expected to commence in Summer 2021. The main construction works will then commence in early 2022,” according to the report.  

Dacres Estate 

The proposals affect green space, parking space, and garages.  

“The proposal is for four main areas on the estate to be used as sites for new affordable council housing for those in local housing need.  

“This includes the garages to the rear of Rosemount Point which we are proposing to demolish. 

“It also includes several areas of hardstanding, some areas of parking and areas of grassed amenity between the four existing residential towers. 

“If approved, demolition of the garages and surrounding hardstanding is expected to commence in Summer 2021. The main construction works will then commence in early 2022,” according to the report.  

Drakes Court Estate  

The proposal is for potentially three areas on the estate to be used as sites for council housing.  

“This includes a site next to Ewelme Road between Drakes Court and Woodelm Court, a site on Devonshire Road as a continuation of the line of houses; and a site adjacent to the ball court.  

“It includes a storeroom, several areas of grassed amenity space and some areas of hardstanding. 

“The plan below shows the locations we are considering for new buildings which will result in permanent loss of land within the estate to provide new high-quality housing as shown by the red line on the plan. 

“For the homes to be built the temporary loss of a larger area is required during construction. This includes temporary loss of further areas of hardstanding, and grassed amenity.  

“These areas will be made good and returned to use when construction is complete,” according to the report.  

Greystead Road Estate  

The proposal is for two areas on the estate to be used for council housing.  

“This includes the drying area and garages which we are proposing to demolish.  

“It also includes several areas of hardstanding and areas of grassed amenity,” according to the report.  

Hensford Gardens  

The proposal is for the garages on the site to be demolished and the area and surrounding land to be used instead to build new homes.  

“The proposed redevelopment will optimise the site for new council housing for those in local housing need and provide improved landscaping areas for Hensford Garden residents,” the report states.  

Markwell Close, Prospect Close, Peter’s Path 

The proposal is for the garages on the Peter’s Path estate, and drying areas and pram sheds on the Markwell Close estate to be demolished “as well as removal of the amenity land for general use to allow this land to be used instead to build new homes”.  

“The proposed redevelopment will optimise the site for new affordable housing for those in local housing need and improved landscaping on the estates,” according to the report.   

Garages by Walsham House  

The garages would be demolished if the development goes ahead to make way for new homes.  

“It will also mean that the pram sheds and disused drying area to the rear of the garages will also no longer be able to be used.  

“The blue gate from Walsham House communal garden to the garage area and footpath to the roadway will also permanently have to be relocated to provide similar access but via an alternative route,” according to the report.  

If approved, demolition of the garages is expected to start in autumn/winter 2021.  

Consultation 

The council’s secure tenants were consulted on the plans – 482 households in total.  

The consultation ran from March 19 to April 12, 2021, while only seven per cent of those consulted responded. 

Residents on the Dacres Estate raised concerns about loss of privacy, loss of green space and communal garden, loss of wildlife, loss of trees and natural light, and increased crime. 

The council said privacy concerns will be “controlled by planning policy and requirements”, loss of green space would be “kept to a minimum”, loss of trees will be “limited where possible”, and said though no CCTV can be guarantees, better lighting and walkways could combat crime. 

Residents from Greystead Road Estate raised concerns about loss of wildlife, the impact of building works on people’s mental and physical health, the size of the new development, and argued that the estate should be renovated not added to. A local group opposing the plans is against the loss of green space.  

The council said that Lewisham Homes will offer support to residents who need it and that it is aiming to increase biodiversity and ecological value “by supporting the existing range of species and habitats as well as introducing a range of new species”. 

It also said that the green space after development will be designed to introduce “more play opportunities and encourage more interaction by residents”. 

Residents from Markwell Close Estate, Peter’s Path Estate and Prospect Close raised concerns about the noise from construction work, loss of privacy, overcrowding and crime, loss of trees, green space, and clothes drying areas.  

The council said the design proposals for the estate “will focus on limiting the ground space the new housing will occupy”, that loss of green space will be “kept to an absolute minimum”, and that only essential trees will be felled.  

One resident from Valentine Court Estate raised concerns about “chronic overbuilding, which will substantially diminish the quality of life for existing tenants”, loss of lawn space and partly tenant-funded play area.  

The council said the plan is “ensure the current play area remains accessible until a new or even temporary one is available”.  

One resident from Drakes Court raised concerns about loss of privacy.  

No responses were received in relation to Hensford Gardens Estate or Walsham Road.