Community news
Finland Road development
We the undersigned
are opposed to the development and structural alterations currently
being made to 2 Finland Road, Brockley, SE4. The opinion of local
residents has not been sought by the developer - who is not a local
resident - and we are specifically concerned about this development for
the following reasons -
1)We believe that this development
fails to respect the architectural integrity of this area (which borders
on the Telegraph Hill Conservation Area) in that the change to the pitch
of the side roof of this building which backs on the adjoining
properties on Finland Road has no precedence in the properties at either
end of the adjoining terraces, and, as this is visible from the road,
represents an architectural eyesore.
2)This change from pitch roof to brick
wall has an extremely detrimental effect on our south facing gardens by
significantly reducing the amount of available natural light. From an
environmental perspective this is a disaster as our ability to continue
to effectively use our gardens to grow fruit and vegetables, compost
garden and household waste and dry our washing is significantly reduced
- these are all activities theoretically being promoted by both
Lewisham, The British Government and the EU in contributing to
reducing global warming, yet this development will prevent us from being
able to reduce our carbon footprints in this manner. Our gardens also
provide crucial safe play space for children and secure leisure
facilities for the elderly and infirm. The loss of available light will
restrict this usage.
3) The plan to provide off-street
parking to the side of 2 Finland Road will create serious security
issues for the residents of 114, 112, 110, 108 & 106 St Asaph Road,
where rear access from the street to the gardens of these properties
will exist where no such access existed before. One of these properties
and it's garden is used for the provision of child-minding facilities,
and this creates child protection issues for the owner. Other residents
of this community are vulnerable by dint of age and disability and we
believe that this creates an unacceptable level of risk, particularly
given the recent rise in violent crime in the New Cross/Peckham/Brockley
area.
4)The increase in the density of
housing in this planned development is a matter of serious concern given
that the only property in the vicinity to undergo a similar conversion
(albeit at a far lower density), for private rental, is not effectively
managed by it's landlords, causing serious problems for residents and
the local shopkeeper due to it's continued use as a rubbish dumping
ground increasing local problems with vermin, and due to inefficient
management, serious anti-social behaviour by past tenants. It is unclear
whether this development is for private sale/buy to let/rental, but with
this experience in mind we are concerned that the change in use from
single family home to multiple occupancy will cause similar problems
without any adequate safeguards in place for our community.
5)The current front and rear garden of
2 Finland Road and the hedgerow to the front of the property is a
significant nesting site for many birds which are endangered species in
London - robins, wrens and sparrows. It also provides a vital wildlife
corridor for small mammals and birds and other flora and fauna, as well
as acting as a vital green screen to our gardens. The loss of this
garden to off-road parking will impact adversely on local wildlife - and
on the air quality of the locality.
6) A dropped kerb and the provision of
off-street parking to 2 Finland Road will set a precedent for this
street which we believe to be unacceptable - the current footpath needs
to be maintained at it's existing width on a permanent basis to provide
access for all peoples, but in particular buggy and wheelchair users,
given that a Special School is situated on Finland Road, and, as the
wider Brockley community is committed to improving disabled access to
Brockley Station, which would be adversely affected by off-road parking
at this address.
7) We understand that the main sewage
access point for all the properties on this block of St Asaph Road is
situated in the front garden of 2 Finland Road a believe that 24/7
access to this would be restricted were a car-park to be placed over it.
8) We are particularly concerned about
the laissez-faire attitude of the developer, who has failed to consult
with local residents prior to work commencing, has placed scaffolding
overhanging our gardens at a dangerous level, and who's response to
local residents who have expressed concern via the appropriate channels
(i.e. Lewisham Planning Dept.) has been verbally abusive and intimidatory.
Such an attitude fails to give us confidence that he is motivated by a
desire to actively and positively contribute to the quality of life of
our community overall.
Signed:
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