It is not only the garish and obtrusive new billboards, but the new, excessively wide concrete steps and the seven foot railings and security gates. All these are brutal, hideous, and unsuited to a beautiful old Victorian church.

For over a hundred years St John’s Church was a central part of our community and the south-western aspect of its Hall was attractive and welcoming to all. Following the above changes, that aspect now resembles a security-conscious light-industrial unit, inappropriate for a church, and especially in a conservation area.

What is more, the Council has confirmed that the above changes have all been made without planning permission, and that the church is now applying for permission retrospectively. The Forest Hill Conservation Area is protected by the Council’s planning regulations under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, Article 4(2), Restricting Permitted Development. Local people are very angry, feeling that these changes breach both the letter and spirit of the Council’s regulations.

We need to ensure that Lewisham Council are made aware of local feeling on these issues. If you are concerned, therefore, please email, phone or write to the Council. In the past they have responded well to local concerns and it is therefore well worth the effort.

The Planning Enforcement Officer dealing with this is Jodi Solomons, who is very approachable. It is also vital to keep our three local Councillors in the loop. They are Alex Feakes, Philip Peake (both Lib Dem) and Anne Affiku (Labour). Alex and Philip have been our Councillors for a long time and have done a great deal for the area. Anne is new to us, having been elected in May.

Jodi Solomons : 020 8314 7400 planning@lewisham.gov.uk
Alex Feakes : 020 8291 3985 cllr_alex.feakes@lewisham.gov.uk
Anne Affiku : 020 8314 6897 cllr_anne.affiku@lewisham.gov.uk
Philip Peake : 020 8699 2430 cllr_philip.philip@lewisham.gov.uk