Decision on 568 Crayford home development expected tonight
A proposal to construct 568 new homes in Crayford is before Bexley Council’s Planning Committee tonight.
Plans were first covered on this site back in July 2022, with the plot located close to Crayford station and Sainsburys. Purelake and Skillcrown are behind the plan on land that formerly home to Electrobase.
The site has previously seen approval for 359 homes and planning officers are recommending approval.
£313,000 of funding from developers was previously agreed for healthcare. The NHS states due to high inflation they require £524,889. This has not been agreed.
Concerns have been raised about services including from local MP David Evenett. Yet it’s his very party in power at Westminster that could – and should – help fund adequate provision to assist with new development beyond local mitigation funds.
The Conservative government closed Sidcup A&E, for example, as well as recently forced cuts on rail services.
The ball started rolling on the A&E closure under the previous Labour administration and was carried on by the Tories, so it’s a bit rich to complain about inadequate funding for services after 13 years in power. As we’ve seen in many areas, housing or no housing, if funds are insufficient per head of population then services suffer.
Objecting to new homes doesn’t lessen the need for housing, it simply ensures ever more existing homes become overcrowded and family homes become flatshares and Homes of Multiple Occupation – or bedsits.
Housing tenure will see 43% affordable housing. That includes 108 homes at London Affordable Rent (closest to council rent levels these days) plus 132 Shared Ownership units. While not perfect, 108 homes at low social rent levels will help with the housing crises and those in temporary homes.
The town centre location near a station sees 0.4 parking spaces per unit. That means many will be reliant on rail, which isn’t the best given government continue to push cuts via Southeastern which is a wholly owned entity of the Department for Transport.
Southeastern have not offered feedback into the planning process according to the report before the committee.
A riverside walk is planned though TfL seek clarification on width and usage. They state:
“The plans suggest a width of 3.7m will be provided along the riverside walk. Chapter 4 of the London Cycle Design Standards (LCDS) calculates the appropriate pedestrian and cycle pavement widths based on forecasted usage.
The current proposed width meets the guidance for mid-high use path, but if the forecasted pedestrian and cyclist circulation is high/very high, a width of 4.5m is recommended. This matter should be clarified.”
TfL seek “a contribution of £45,000 (BCIS indexed) is secured within the S106 agreement towards improving bus stops within the vicinity of the site.”
The Environment Agency have concerns over flood risk and have suggested resolutions that should be undertaken before development is finished.
A substantial portion of the 188-page report is taken up with this issue.
Plans should be decided tonight (Thursday 13 April 2023).
