The 4 Redberry Grove Planning Application

For the past 8 months local residents have been battling against what we felt was possibly one of the most inappropriate developments in Forest Hill/Sydenham ? the building of what is effectively a black glass box in the Sydenham Park Conservation Area.

On 22nd January 2009, a planning committee made up of just 3 councillors approved the application.

The Conservation Area
The development in Sydenham Park Conservation Area, primarily involved two streets ? Redberry Grove and Albion Villas Road. Both of these streets are near Dartmouth Road in Forest Hill, a short walk from Forest Hill Library. Both roads are single track lanes and have a variety of Victorian buildings on them. Albion Villas Road leads to the Albion Millennium Green ( a dog walkers paradise!) and Redberry Grove is unusual in that it is unmade ie. just soil and stones.

Sydenham Park Conservation Area is described in the UDP as: Development took place in stages during the latter half of the 19th century, with a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced housing. Construction is mainly of London stock yellow brick, stuccoed dressings, plaster decorations and slate roofs. The area has a peaceful Gothic revival character and retains a degree of original integrity.

On the map below, the development site will be in the garden of 4 Redberry Grove, just below the word "Villas". 3&4 and 5&6 Albion Villas Road will face the rear of this development. The large block of flats you can see at the beginning of Albion Villas Road is actually on Dartmouth Road.