Planning Application: 43 Dartmouth Road

43 DARTMOUTH ROAD, LONDON, SE23 3HN, application DC/22/127781: Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) for the change of use of the existing ground floor and basement from retail (Use Class E) to a single dwelling (Use Class C3) at 43 Dartmouth Road SE23.

We are writing to object to the above application by virtue of the unsuitable accommodation proposed and the detrimental impact on the Forest Hill Conservation Area.

The proposals do not satisfy the requirements within “Technical housing standards – nationally described space standard” (Department for Communities and Local Government, March 2015) or the London Plan (March 2021). The above space standards do not cater for a 1 bedroom/2 person accommodation over two floors, so this would be subject to the 1 bedroom/2 person requirement. The proposed 45 sqm unit would therefore not satisfy the requirement within both of the above documents of 58 sqm.

The Forest Hill Conservation Area is characterised by its commercial and retail centre around the railway station and surrounding suburban residential streets and green spaces. The commercial core, including the retail units along Dartmouth Road contribute to this area’s character. The loss of a retail unit in this area and the resulting inactivity of its frontage would erode this commercial character and ultimately, the character of the wider Conservation Area.

We therefore request the application is refused.

Forest Hill Station Forecourt

A new trial access to Forest Hill station started on 30th July which is designed to demonstrate that we can make the station more pedestrian friendly.

The car park remains open except the side closest to WH Smith. Drop-off and parking at the station is still possible through the existing vehicle entrance, but this also functions as the exit from the car park. The initial trial was not designed to be the final solution and as such was never expected to be perfect.

We have received lots of predominantly positive comments about the scheme with pedestrians feeling safer getting to the station, particularly with young children. We understand that it has made it harder for some cars manoeuvring around the car park after dropping off passengers and for the next phase we are looking at ways that this can be improved. Based on feedback they key issue is widening the entrance and exit and providing an easier way to turn around and drop off. In regards to that we will propose removing the 4 car parking spaces in front of the Lazy Chef cafe in order to widen the entrance/exit. We are also working with the council to remove the dilapidated toilet that has been closed for a number of years.

Any final plans will need agreement of TfL, Network Rail, Lewisham Council and other parties. This trial has demonstrated that there are ways to improve this important location in our town centre and make it safer for all users of the station. We now feel that we have collected sufficient feedback and therefore we propose to end the trial early - within the next couple of weeks. We are targeting mid September, pending availability and discussions with station staff, TfL and councillors.

Finally we are continuing to campaign for a nicer station as a whole. In the longer term we would love to have a better station building (with a public toilet), improved crossing on the south circular, and also lifts for disabled access and a pedestrian crossing on the Perry Vale side.

Thanks to everybody who has provided feedback to us already - both positive and negative comments. Please do continue to send feedback and suggestions to email@foresthillsociety.com