Plans for council homes on an estate in Kidbrooke that have been criticised by Labour councillors have been recommended for approval at a planning meeting next week.
Greenwich Council plans to build three three-bedroom houses on garages and parking spaces at Woodville Close, a small estate next to the Sun-in-the Sands roundabout, as part of its Greenwich Builds programme.
Neighbours are unhappy about the plans, saying that they use the parking spaces and that their small cul-de-sac would not be able to cope with the new housing. A 41-name petition against the plans has been submitted to the town hall. But an application for planning permission was filed in February and it is due to be decided on Tuesday.
Local councillors John Fahy and Odette McGahey, who represent Kidbrooke Park ward, backed the residents. Fahy said in February: “It is our perception that [council] officers have decided to pursue the development and were determined to ignore residents’ views at all costs.
“We believe that this site, under any circumstances, is not suitable either for the current residents or any future residents.”
The Woodville Close development is one of a number of “infill” sites being used by the council as it seeks to squeeze in 1,750 new homes as part of its Greenwich Builds programme on estates that it already owns.
Most of the first phase of 750 homes have been approved, and Woodville is part of the next phase of 1,000 homes.
Many, like Woodville, are using land formerly used for garages, with the Avery Hill Estate in Eltham gaining new homes this way.
More controversially, some are losing green space, such as the Brook Estate in Kidbrooke; while plans to build on greens at Richmount Gardens in Blackheath – a small street tucked in behind the private Cator Estate – have also caused anger.
Two other council developments will be considered at the same planning meeting, with plans for three homes on old garages at Commonwealth Way in Abbey Wood, and two homes on vacant land behind council blocks at Sewell Road.
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