Bungalow demolition for new flats approved in Bexley

Plans have been submitted to revise a scheme to demolish a bunglalow on Penhill Road in Bexley and replace with a block of flats comprising eight 1-bed units which was approved in September.

These plans seek to expand the building slightly at the rear. It’s not a major change and one reason I’m covering this is the approval to demolish for a new block passed me by entirely.

There has been an ongoing process of family homes being converted into Homes of Multiple Occupation (or bedsits in old money) though more examples are emerging of demolishing homes on residential streets for new blocks.

Is this a good use of land? Would this be happening if new homes were built in sufficient numbers on brownfield land? I’ve often wrote about supermarkets and car parks being built across Bexley borough without any housing component.

Lidl is a prime example and again they are attempting a large single-storey retail shed and car park in Erith.

If mixed-use isn’t built on brownfield is this the inevitable result?

Click here to view plans.