I walked back home from the horniman last weekend and was saddened to see several very attractive and large Victorian houses in a very decrepit state of repair. They were hidden by hoarding and the only residents seem to be of the feathered variety. Does anyone know what happened to these fine houses?

It is a long story. In a nutshell a developer bought 15 - 17A Tyson Road and some of the land behind the Christian Fellowship Centre. They eventually got planning permission to build approx. 70 flats following a public inquiry.

They have three years from February 2011 to begin the development failing which I expect they will apply to have it renewed.

See here for the most recent planning application:

http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/LEWIS-XSL...mkey=61365

The last that I heard was that the developer was trying to sell the site.

Destroying lovely Victorian houses to make way for a modern monstrosity just doesn't make sense to me. It should never have been approved.

I agree BCM. Sadly the old Dylon Factory in Lower Syenham awaits the same fate, despite being locally listed.

http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7980

Seems like developers can do pretty much anything these days!

As Woody says, a long story. But there is no automatic protection for houses outside conservation area and owners are entitled to knock them down if they want. Lewisham did not regard these houses as worthy of preserving so now they must sit there as an eyesore.

The planning applications were fought by Woody and many other local residents but despite a valiant fight we lost when the planning inspector ruled that a development could go ahead (although the other that was considered at the same time was too massive). It was a close fight and considering we were up against the top planning barrister in the country, who I see has more recently been appointed a high court judge and received a knighthood. Woody and I both acted as amateur lawyers in this week long inquiry, cross-examining witnesses as well as giving evidence. But we were up against a vastly more experienced and well funded team, particularly considering their barrister.

Progress report received from Loromah Estates.

What they don't tell you is that they have already killed one of the trees that was subject to a tree preservation order and that the Planning Inspector said must be retained. A large Norway Spruce on the western boundary of the site.

It appears that when the Developer's contractors excavated the site of the electricity sub-station they took away all the roots on one side of the tree and not surprisingly the tree fell over.

It probabably didn't help that the developer's plans were incorrect and so they ended up excavating closer to the tree than they had claimed would be necessary at the planning appeal.

The Council have told me "accidents do happen" and seem pretty relaxed about the whole business.

Expect more spin over the coming months.

I find that the misuse of 'there' instead of 'their' in the newletter does nothing to inspire confidence either. (Maybe this should be on the use of english thread!)

"We accidentally bulldozed this Victorian house, accidents do happen"