How strange.

With the appeal date only just set I have today received a letter from the Planning Inspector telling me that the Developer has withdrawn their appeal.

No reasons have been given. Perhaps the Developer had decided that they were likely to lose the appeal. Apparently, in planning law, losing an appeal is a very bad thing, as it can prejudice future planning applications.

Certainly, a declaration by the Inspector that either the site had a high environmental value or that it should be preserved as open space would have been fatal to any high density development.

Of course this won't be the end of the story. I suspect that the Developer will either sell the site to another Developer or submit an amended planning application.

Past experience also suggests that there can be informal discussions between a developer and the Council before any planning application is submitted.

So, if you believe that this site should be kept as green open space, please make your voice heard by phoning the Lewisham Planners (020 8314 7400) and by contacting our Local Councillors.