The first item discussed at Councillor Dourmoush’s Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting
yesterday was BexleyCo which has until now soaked up vast quantities
of taxpayers’ money but is at long last approaching the time when It may sell its first house.
Graham Ward the Managing Director of BexleyCo was available to answer questions.
The former Cabinet Member for Growth Linda Bailey said it was “lovely to see Old
Farm Park [built on], the pictures look very impressive.” She queried the
reference to awaiting Council funding in the report.
Mr. Ward said he hoped to have homes ready for occupation by Summer and early
Autumn but he rapidly switched to talking about West Street and Lesney Park
sites. They both have planning consent and after “due diligence” BexleyCo will
draw down the loan agreement. Apart from a Public Right of Way to be maintained
at West Street and some negotiations to be completed with the NHS at Lesney Park
there are no obstacles in the way of building. There are no financial issues to resolve.
Councillor Bailey said it would be “nice to see some money coming back into the
coffers of the Council”. The Chairman agreed, “that’s what it is all about”.
Councillor Ferreira (Labour, Erith) moved the focus to Sidcup Library and the
Walnut Tree Depot. Lesney Park was delayed a year, what about those two? “Can
anything be done to speed up the processes?” The delays affect the dividends
that come back to the Council.
Mr. Ward indicated that the lockdown had slowed the building industry. He
was confident if planning permission was obtained this year or early next then
“we can hit the dates, starting to develop out in 2023/24”. The Finance Director
said that everything was “timetabled in line with agreed timescales”. He
“doesn’t foresee any significant hold ups. Everything is in place”.
The development of Old Farm Park had cost £22 million and the expected sale
price of 58 houses is £26 million.
Councillor Francis (Labour Leader, Belvedere) said that 21 houses at Old Farm Park would be affordable but
was it correct that there will be none on the Sidcup Library site. It was. The same is true of Felixstowe Road in Abbey Wood
scheduled for completion in 2026 and forecast to raise £90 million. (See picture.)
All the planned developments may be inspected here. (PDF.)