Lewisham’s conservation officer has written a damning report strongly objecting to the proposed Church Grove development at the rear of 27 Ladywell Road.
The officer’s report notes that the proposed development of two storey houses does not fit the typical pattern of development in the conservation area and criticises the developer’s poor heritage statement..
It says the proposed development would “overwhelm” the charming Church Grove cul-desac with smartly painted houses and distinctive sash windows.
“The scale and form of the proposed new building completely fails to respond to the building typology and character of Church Grove; it would be a very wide, three storey brick building, with a very flank elevation on Church Grove, resulting in an overwhelming massing on Church Grove.
“This tall brick elevation would only be broken up by four small windows, creating a looming, bulky presence completely out of character with the rest of this street and its narrow two storey terraces,” it adds.
The report says the design quality of the proposal is poor and would not fit into the existing urban context.
“The proposal does not respect the historic urban pattern of development, nor does it respond sensitively to the historic environment of the conservation area.”
The report concludes the development is “overly bulky and insensitive, and would be unacceptable” as it would cause a degree of harm to the character and appearance of the Ladywell conservation area.
Church Grove residents alarmed and angry at proposed three storey development
Church Grove residents are up in arms over a proposed development of two three storey houses to the rear of 27 Ladywell Road.
The four bedroom semi-detached houses would be accessed via Church Grove but partially block a longstanding track at the back of the houses on Ladywell Road..
The development would be in the St Mary’s conservation area although building consultants Emmanuel and Associates, which submitted the planning application, say it isn’t in a conservation area.
Local residents say the three storey building would be “out of keeping” with the two storey Victorian cottages that run along both sides of the grove.
The cottages were built around the late 1850s when the railway came to Ladywell.
The proposed houses, named 1A and 1B Emerald House, would have mansard roofs and dormer windows. They would be built of concrete blockwork rendered in sand and cement with yellow brick corner edging.
“Despite the name … not exactly a design gem”, said one local. So far there have been 13 comment on the proposed development on Lewisham council’s planning portal. All 13 comments appear to have been objections. (The planning application can been found under reference number DC/24/135510 on the planning portal.)
The building consultants say the three storeys and mansard roof reflect the loft conversions along the grove.
But residents say a three storey development “seems bizarre” and there’s not a single loft conversion in the street because the pitch of the cottage roofs make the conversion technically impossible.
The Ladywell Society, which speaks on behalf of a wide range of residents and businesses in the area, says the building encroaches on an existing right of way and is an inappropriate development in the conservation area.
Residents complain that the building would “break the line” of the existing terrace and be an eyesore.
A development has been given permission on the opposite side of Church Grove behind No 29 Ladywell Road. But Lewisham planning has only allowed a single storey “bungalow style” development with a flat roof.
Other residents complain the planning application makes no reference in its biodiversity report to the now mature lime tree and other trees growing on the site of the proposed development.
“Clearly the proposed building would result in the trees being cut down. 1A and 1B Emerald House have little if any garden. And the plans seems to show it as all paved,” said a resident.