Mysterious development on Dacres Road

[updated 19/7/26 and 19/5/25 with additional information at the end]

Like many locals who have contacted the Forest Hill Society about this, we’ve been watching developments on the small plot of land on the corner of Perry Vale and Dacres Road and wondering what is happening. 

First, most of the vegetation was removed and the old low fence replaced with high wooden panels.  Then concrete was poured over most of the site to create hard standing.  Most recently barbed wire and fancy metal gates have been added. 

Enquiries at the Perry Vale Ward Assembly meeting earlier in the year drew a blank.  There’s no sign of a planning application on Lewisham’s website, although we did find a Tree Protection Order from 2013.  It lists 4 of the trees being granted protection, and it does seem that those 4 trees are still standing.

We’ve written to Planning Enforcement at Lewisham to express our concerns about the placement of the gates.  Their location indicates that vehicles are intended to access the site by crossing the pavement from the corner of the junction, just where the dropped kerb and tactile paving for pedestrians is located.  Obviously this is totally inappropriate.

We have asked Lewisham:

·       If they are aware of the activity on the site and what plans the owner has for it;

·       If planning permission has been sought for change of use;

·       If an application has been made for a pavement crossover for vehicle access.

We’ll let you know what we hear. If you have any insights into this development, or its impact on the local area, please let us know in the comments

Update - 19/5/25

Having written to, and chased, the Lewisham Planning Enforcement team, we have recently been told that as a result of our enquiry, but also many others from concerned residents, they are investigating this development. When we have more information on what action is taken, if any, we will update this further.

Update - 19/7/26

The Society has been communicating with Lewisham Council, and to local councillors, about this site since this last update, and we are pleased to say that there has been some progress.

An enforcement notice was served to the land owner by Lewisham on 15th June, and as this was not appealed, it came into force on 15th July with a compliance period of 3 months.

According to the notice, the Lewisham Enforcement team will be visiting the site on or around 15th Oct to check that:

•⁠ ⁠Buildings on site have been removed

•⁠ ⁠Fence around the site has been removed or reduced below 1m height

•⁠ ⁠⁠Hardstanding removed

•⁠ ⁠⁠Any paving within 2m of a tree removed by hand

•⁠ ⁠⁠Make good all damage resulting from the above, and remove all materials/waste/debris

While the site has not yet been cleared or made safe, the feedback from the community, and the support of our local councillors, means that action is being taken. We will continue to monitor this, but do let us know if you see any progress.