Rotherhithe residents and campaigners say plans to build a four-bedroom house in a side garden is a “gross intrusion” onto Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and sets “a dangerous precedent”.
They argue that the application for 2 Somerford Way, next to Russia Dock Woodland, spells trouble for areas of nature conservation that are entitled to special protections as MOL.
Campaigners also claim the application contravenes both the mayor’s London Plan and the council’s own Southwark Plan 2022.
But a council officer has recommended the plans are approved at a planning committee meeting today, (Monday, December 5).
In an unusual move, Southwark’s own Parks & Leisure team has vocally opposed the plans, writing: “It is very disappointing that the officer’s report is recommending approval of this application. We believe that the council should remain committed to its obligation to protect land that is designated MOL.
“Permitting development on MOL after its disposal undermines the integrity of the council’s decision-making on the sale of land and this precedent could have unintended consequences for other open space in the borough.”
The property in question was recently purchased by the applicant, who wants to build a new house on the property’s side garden which the council report says is designated as MOL.
Between 1983 and 1996, a previous homeowner bought the land where the house is being built from the council and the London Docklands Development Corporation.
Controversial Aylesham Centre plans send shockwaves through Peckham
Despite the purchase, the council report says the MOL boundary was never re-drafted to take into account the sale of the land.
But the council officer has recommended it be approved because “selling the land to a householder indicates an intention that the open space use would cease”.
Objectors are unconvinced. One person wrote: “ It is a gross intrusion onto Metropolitan Land” and “if approved, it sets a dangerous precedent for further developments by private developers”.
There is also anger that a “magnificent” willow could be felled if the application is approved after an arboricultural report said: “The tree is dead and unsuitable and unsafe for retention.”
But Southwark Parks & Leisure insist the Willow is “an important part of the street scene” and its loss “would be of detriment to the residents of Somerford way”.
The applicant was approached but did not wish to comment.