Objectors to the proposed backland development in Chestnut Avenue, Coney Hall

Residents of Coney Hall objecting to the backland development proposals for 2-6 Chestnut Avenue gathered this morning to show their concerns.

They were joined by John Stone, Chairman of West Wickham South Residents’ Association and Cllr. Neil Reddin as local councillor. Neil promised that they would keep residents informed of progress. The application is expected to be determined in early July.

(Credit to Christine Riches for organising the gathering.)

Your local councillors have received many enquiries and objections to the plans from local residents, particularly in the light of the change in the law, announced by the new government a few days ago, which removes the automatic designation of back gardens as ‘brownfield’ sites. It is now harder (though certainly not impossible) for developers to get planning permission for so-called “backland development”,

Cllrs. Graham Arthur and Neil Reddin are opposing the plans. (Cllr. Anne Manning, as a member of two of the plans committees that might hear the application, must remain publicly neutral at this stage.)

David Soul, Cllr. Neil Reddin and Bob Stewart at Letchworth Drive

David is a personal friend of Bob and met people in Coney Hall, Old Hayes and Letchworth Drive along with Conservative Council candidates and councillors Graham Arthur, Anne Manning and Neil Reddin.

The facility, which is designed for five-a-side football as well as basketball, cricket and other ball sports, will add to the facilities for young people in the ward and is being taken forward at the suggestion of the Friends of Coney Hall Recreation Ground. A planning application has been made.

However the licensing hearing had to be deferred (for a second time) after the applicant failed to appear.

Update (9/2/10): The applicant has withdrawn the application and apparently has opened a premises in Dulwich.

The problem has taken longer to resolve due, in part, to unsuccessful attempts to persuade Thames Water to take responsibility for any repairs, rather than the private owners of the sewer/drain, plus convoluted legal problems.  Formal notices were served on the owners but, in default, the Council has stepped in to actually carry out the works on their behalf.

We have made representations to the Council and currently both the planning application and licence hearing have been deferred.

UPDATE (12/10): The planning application, now amended to be solely for a restaurant-type usage, is coming before the Plans sub-committee this Thursday (15th).