Pocket Living has submitted plans to construct a 5 storey-high building comprising 58 flats in the New Eltham CO-OP car park. Few can deny that there is a need for affordable housing in the Borough, but this development is simply a money-making scheme. Although aimed at key workers, the proposed development will take off them £14,500,000 (£250,000 x 58) - which is not good value for a bed-sit.

As you can see from the plans submitted (image above), this building will dominate the local skyline and is not in keeping with the Victorian houses surrounding it. For those local residents (especially in Blanmerle Road), they will be overlooked and lose light, impacting their privacy and standard of living. Pocket Living also wishes to cut down several well-established trees, home to local wildlife, including bats and woodpeckers. There are no plans for these flats to be powered using renewable energy: given the hot weather we have been having, one feels for the potential residents of these proposed flats - confined in the smallest spaces possible.

The building has no plans for residential parking, so those residents and any visitors will have to park in the surrounding roads. Already there is a big problem with parking in New Eltham, and this will be more difficult for all residents and visitors, especially as (going forward) there will be limited car parking in the Co-op. Indeed, this lack of parking is likely to impact local businesses. It will be impossible for people to stop off and use New Eltham’s shops and other amenities. It seems likely we will see shops and other businesses close forever.

To better access the proposed development, Pocket Living wishes to introduce new roads to the site. These will endanger pedestrians, especially the many school children as they come through New Eltham from the train station and bus stops.

We understand the need for affordable homes, but any development should also be sensitive to the character of New Eltham and the welfare of existing residents.

What can you do to stop the development?

First, sign our petition (below).

Second, send an objection to the Royal Borough of Greenwich by completing the online form, emailing planning-consultation@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or write to Jonathan Hartnett, Development Manager, Planning & Building Control, Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills, Royal Borough of Greenwich, The Woolwich Centre, 5th Floor, 35 Wellington Street, London, SE18 6HQ.

You will need to provide: 1) your name and address; 2) the planning application number: 22/2062/F; 3) the address of the application site: ‘land to the rear of 370–380 Footscray Road, Eltham, Greenwich, SE9 2AA’.