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New Life for Slade Green
The London Borough of Bexley has launched a major consultation exercise on a draft Planning Brief to guide the redevelopment of an important site in Slade Green.
The eight hectare site includes the Howbury Centre Council Offices, the public library, other buildings in community use, and the adjoining former school playing fields. It is owned by the Council, which plans to relocate its Howbury offices to Bexleyheath as part of the Bexley First business transformation programme.
Cllr John Waters, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: “Freeing up the Howbury site provides an exciting opportunity to stimulate regeneration in the area, including new homes and new jobs. I hope that everyone with an interest in the area will take advantage of the consultation period to give their views.”
The Planning Brief aims to secure sustainable redevelopment that will help lead the regeneration of Slade Green, meet the needs of the local community, contribute positively to the character of the area and set the benchmark for design quality. Possible future uses include commercial and residential. Any commercial activity would need to be sensitive to residential neighbours and the adjoining school.
Residential development would provide a mix of homes for smaller households and families, wheelchair accessible homes and homes suitable for older people. Other uses could include surgeries, education uses, places of worship and community facilities. A small amount of new shopping could help create a heart for Slade Green, but should not affect existing shops nearby. New development would have to include open space and children’s play facilities.
The draft Planning Brief is available on the Council’s website at www.bexley.gov.uk/service/consultations/howbury/index.html and at Slade Green and Erith Libraries. The deadline for comments is Friday, 22 February 2008. The Council hopes to adopt a final version of the Planning Brief next April.
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