Response to Planning Application DC/25/138711, 2a Gaynesford Road

I am writing on behalf of the Forest Hill Society to object to this planning application.

The Forest Hill Society is the local amenity society for the area covered by SE23 and have around 400 members. The society is keen to ensure that the area develops in a positive way that supports the economic, environmental and social well-being of the people that live and work in it. Generally we try to be positive about changes to the area and proposals for improvements, however in some cases it is necessary for us to raise concerns about proposals as part of the planning process.

Previous applications had been rejected on the following grounds:

1. Incongruous form of backland development, harmful to the character and appearance of the area.

2. Location and design would result in a bulky and visually intrusive form of development which would result in an increased sense of enclosure for the neighbouring occupiers at 49 and 51 Church Rise.

3. The proposed development would fail to provide a secure and private external amenity space, which would be detrimental to the amenity of future occupiers.

We believe that the above reasons continue to apply to the new application and we would add an additional reason for rejecting this application.

4. The proposed development would fail to provide internal space consistent with guidance in the London Plan, which would be detrimental to the amenity of future occupiers.

We would particularly draw your attention to the London Mayor’s Housing Design Standards 2023:

C2.5 - The following combined floor areas for living/kitchen/dining space should be met or exceeded:

Designed level of occupancy	Minimum combined floor area of living, dining and kitchen spaces
One person	21 sqm
One bed, two persons	23 sqm
One bed, three persons	25 sqm
Two bed, four persons	27 sqm

In this application the livingroom/ dining / kitchen is 21.5sqm, which does not meet the expectations for a two bedroom development or any accommodation for two or more people.

For the reasons stated above we hope you will consider rejecting this application.

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Note: The Forest Hill Society Planning & Development Committee will, from time to time, respond to relevant Planning Applications to support or object to local developments and will, where possible, put these in the public arena for discussion and transparency through this blog. If you have any comments or feedback on these letters, please get in touch with us at: email@foresthillsociety.com