A group of residents in East Dulwich is objecting to a proposed new development, due to claims it will ‘destroy’ a nature conservation site.
The nine-home development by Featherstone Homes would be located behind the East Dulwich Railway station, over a woodland – on land currently owned by Network Rail.
As well as the woodland – which is a Site of Grade II Borough Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) – the new builds would occupy part of Talbot Road and part of St Francis Street.
The plans are currently under public consultation and at the time of writing, the planning application had received over 100 comments – with only couple appearing to support it.
SINCs are home to wildlife, and any development that negatively impacts a SINC would only be allowed if the developer could prove enough mitigating measures.
For example, if they were delivering off-site compensation of better biodiversity value.
Nicolas Bosovsky, a father of two who lives on St Francis Street, said the plans would mean a great loss of habitat currently home to many species and as a SINC it should be protected.
The 46-year-old said: “The plans they submitted will result in the removal of fifteen mature trees.
“These trees provide shelter and habitats for nesting and roosting birds, invertebrates and small mammals.”
Nicolas added that the developer was claiming they were ‘answering to the housing crisis.’ “These nine properties are going to be super expensive – how are they addressing the need for affordable housing by building them?”
We spoke to friends Alexandra and Mae, both 10, who said they were also against the plans.
Mae commented: “I think it’s wrong – this is a protected wildlife space. Birds live here.”
She explained that because trees reduce the pollution in the air, “if they cut down the trees, it will make air quality worse.”
Alexandra added: “It’s quite selfish – they’re passing down the pollution to our generation.”
And it is not just residents who are objecting to the plans, with the London Wildlife Trust also submitting a letter of disapproval.
In the letter, Mathew Frith, Director of Policy & Research at The London Wildlife Trust, said the plans ‘effectively sever’ the SINC, commenting: “If this is permitted it sets a precedent that all other SINCs in Southwark become vulnerable.”
A neighbour, Alison who lives just behind the woodland, said: “It would be a massive loss for us. We have the beautiful trees behind us – we watch all the animals and birds.”
Furthermore, the campaigners claimed the project would threaten the ‘unique visual character’ of the railway.
In the planning statement, Shorten on behalf of Featherstone Homes argues that it won an appeal on a development on a site ‘immediately adjacent and almost identical in character’ to this one.
Featherstone Mews is a seven-home development which was completed around 2021. In that case, the inspector found that there was ‘no public access to the site’ and there appeared to be ‘no prospect of this happening.’ They concluded that the site had ‘very little benefit as undeveloped land’ so that development went ahead.
Regarding these plans, Nicolas commented: “The developer is saying the public is not using it – but the woodland is enjoyed by commuters and neighbours alike. Its destruction would remove the beautiful view that has become synonymous with the East Dulwich Railway station’s unique character.”
In terms of public access to the woods, campaigners want to change that – by calling on Southwark Council to buy the land from Network Rail so it can be used by neighbours and nearby schools.
Cllr James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Clean Air & Streets, told us: “I am grateful to residents for bringing their concerns to me and would highly encourage them to make formal comments via the planning portal if they haven’t done so already.
“These will all be reported to the council’s planning committee as the statutory decision-maker. While we are unable to comment on live planning applications, we can confirm that we have no plans to buy the site given existing pressures on our budget after twelve years of austerity, among other factors.”
We approached Featherstone for comment but they did not respond at the time of going to press.
The public consultation ends today (Wednesday 20 December.) The decision will go to the planning committee in the new year.
Anyone wanting to comment on the planning document can access the application here. The reference number is 23/AP/2780.