What residents have been saying about the application
A local WhatsApp group has rapidly attracted over 200 members to date. These are the most widely mentioned and cited objections:
Out of keeping with the Village Character
- The proposed buildings are too tall and modern for London’s oldest conservation area.
- Residents say they clash with the character of Collins Street and the historic village centre, and describe the designs as “generic” and “out of place”
Loss of Vital Parking
The new plans allow only 18 spaces for the whole development — that’s for 45 new homes, the farmers’ market, and all station and village visitors. This means:
- No parking for school drop-offs
- No “dash and grab” spots for shops
- No room for market trader vans
- Increased traffic and illegal parking on narrow streets like Southvale Rd and Baizdon Rd
Residents repeatedly cited the Kidbrooke development as a real-world example where similar “car-free” assumptions caused chaos and frustration.
Overlooking Homes and School Playgrounds
- Block B and Block C directly overlook existing homes and John Ball School’s outdoor areas, especially affecting Year 1 and 2 pupils.
- Parents and neighbours are concerned about safeguarding, loss of privacy, and sunlight.
A Threat to the Farmers’ Market
The market space is being shrunk and shoehorned into a new plaza with no clear access or loading zones for traders. Residents fear:
- No reliable parking for 22+ trader vans - "use the local streets"
- No place to restock or unload
- That the market will quietly disappear
Even though the LFMA head has expressed support, several long-standing traders are worried — and there are no legal guarantees that the market can continue long term.
Years of Construction Disruption
The developers estimate over 2 years of construction, with Baizdon Road planned as the access route. This would:
- Severely impact traffic and safety near the school
- Create noise, dust, and disruption for local residents and businesses
- Cause major delays in and out of the village
Financial Viability and Broken Promises?
The developer’s own documents say the project is “not financially viable” with the promised affordable housing and green spaces. Residents fear:
- Features like play areas and rooftop gardens may be scrapped later
- Affordable housing will be reduced or removed
- Acorn may pressure Lewisham Council to relax conditions after approval
No Plan for Public Services
- Extra capacity for doctors, dentists, or schools
- Emergency services access
- Where the 600 pupils of John Ball would assemble in a fire now that the current space is gone
“Family” Homes That Don’t Work for Families
The 3-storey terraced homes have no gardens, only flat roof terraces, and no parking. Many residents believe:
- They won’t meet real family needs
- They are more likely to be bought as investment properties and rented out
- They reduce the long-term social value of the development