19 September (Part 2) - Hill View sold. Residents sold down the river
The
sale of the council offices at Hill View to Bellway Homes was a vital component
of funding the flash new council offices in Watling Street. There was never any doubt that Bellway would
get planning permission.
Councillor James Hunt put on a show of backing the residents’ objections. He said the over close
proximity of new and old property was a “serious issue” and flooding was a big problem. Former
councillor Mike Slaughter was concerned about a number of things; drainage, the fact that supposed
two story houses had rooms in the roof and that the council was turning a blind eye
to numerous breaches of its own planning rules.
Councillor Brian Bishop was similarly critical and former councillors Allon and
O’Neill (Labour) were far from enthusiastic yet come the vote and there was not
a single dissenter. Never mind the blatant disregard for rules such as the minimum
separation distance which should be 22 metres being under 16, Teresa Neill’s plan
for funding Watling Street were paramount. If this was not a planning fiddle
I’m not sure what is. Local residents had every right to feel aggrieved.
In one case this translated into a Judicial Review at the High Court but from what I could gather
lawyers on both sides came to the conclusion that success would only delay
proceedings. Bexley council would merely move the goalposts slightly and give permission again.
So six months after the dubious planning permission was given the site has
finally been sold and we have yet another example of Bexley council bending the
rules for its own ends and to hell with ‘Listening to you’.
Click image to see all of the letter.
A request to set up a Neighbourhood Planning Area to benefit local residents has been ignored by Bexley council. I wonder why.