Developers plan to build more than 100 flats in Belvedere

BY  LACHLAN LEEMING – Local Democracy Reporter

Developers will push for more than 100 units to be built in a new project at Belvedere, in plans lodged with Bexley council.

It comes after the firm behind the move, Newhaven Construction, was granted permission to build two towers consisting of 69 flats at Norman Park in December.

However, they have now proposed to increase the size of the development to include 104 units by lodging a new outline planning application.

Consisting of 20 one bedroomed studio apartments, 58-two bedroomed and 26-three bedroomed apartments, the homes would be spread across seven, eight and nine storey towers.

Norman Park, which sits east of the junction of Yarnton Way and Picardy Manorway, is described as a “mixed-use” development, which at the moment comprises of 402 residential units as well as commercial premises such as retail shops, an office, hotel and gym.

It’s the latest plan for the site, which has previously been the subject of applications for a hotel and petrol station.

Initial plans have pin-pointed that 36 units of the 104 would be classified as affordable, thus fulfilling local council and wider planning policy that stipulates that 35 per cent of new homes built must be affordable.

Of these 36 homes, 70 per cent would be classified as affordable and 30 per cent classed as social rent, the most low-cost option of affordable housing.

Developers say that the proposal to build more units at the site would help meet housing needs in the borough.

“The proposed scheme will provide housing to meet an identified need within the borough and the wider housing market area,” a planning statement on the project said.

“It will also bring forward the development of an under-utilised site in a location appropriate for housing development. The introduction of built form in this location will also bring about townscape benefits to the site and wider area.”

Picture: The area earmarked for the proposed development