Concerns have been raised over the release of hazardous contaminants when the Ladywell Road car wash site is developed into shops, flats and a gym.
A second planning application has been submitted for the site by developers Ladywell Group Plc which now wants to excavate the fuel tanks of the former filling station and create a basement which will be used by the proposed gym.
Originally the developers had planned to fill in the fuel tanks which are heavily contaminated.
The Ladywell Society says it is concerned about the release of contaminants into the environment when the tanks are removed.
It backs the findings of a Geo-Environmental Site Investigation which recommends “the risk posed by hazardous vapours in the soils underlying the site should be re-evaluated following removal of fuel infrastructure and associated soils”.
“We would request that this happens and that the resulting report be made available and evaluated before further work takes place.”
The society is also concerned that work on the site will severely restrict the pavement , making it unpassable for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and buggies.
It says an “alternative route would need to be agreed beforehand.”
There is also concern that the stability of adjoining buildings may be affected. “This appears not to have been addressed by the applicant,” the society adds.
The first planning application, approved by Lewisham in March 2019, shows four distinct shop fronts, each reflecting the traditional Edwardian style of the buildings on the Ladywell Road parade.
Above the shop fronts there is a full width first floor and a gabled second floor, which mimics the gabled buildings along Ladywell Road.
The buildings are brown brick with anodised aluminium framed windows. The roofing and window bays are of black zinc. Each unit has a second floor terrace with railings.
The planning application DC/20/118206, 93-99 Ladywell Road can be found at the Lewisham Council planning portal https://lewisham.gov.uk/