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to commercial could create a tidal wave of similar applications for local land to be re-classified as
brownfield and, as such, sold to developers.

We are also concerned to see from the Application that the stables are to be partly converted to
offices. In the event of the business failing and ceasing to be a school, but with office status having
been achieved, this would open the door to their conversion to housing under recent Permitted
Development legislation. And what might happen to the site as a whole if the business failed and it
ceased to be a school? See later comments.

Building Works

The amount and extent of likely building works is greatly understated. Surely there is a need to
provide a kitchen, a refectory, a First Aid station and a shower block with an adequate number of
WCs to fully meet at least the needs of the starter position of 55 pupils and 32 staff. To be applied
for later as an additional building? Further material changes to the existing buildings would be
needed in order to comply with building regulations.

Nothing is said about further development work to provide for the usual double perimeter fencing
found in schools (one particularly necessary in this case with vulnerable children as the site has
access on all sides to open land); any additional oil container (there is no gas supply); waste bins;
conversion of the outdoor space for a playground, equipment and for outdoor sports; the provision of
an indoor games room; the proposed small farm; the widening of the access driveway to permit two-
way traffic and large vehicles such as mini-buses and service/delivery vehicles. Nothing is said
about the location of the proposed Sewage Package Treatment Plant, nor anything about
accommodation for a Caretaker.

No Local Need or Benefit to the Community

There is no local need for such a business or any specific benefit to Bexley and there is certainly no
benefit to the local community – the supporting documentation suggesting that most of the children
will be from outside Bexley Borough.

Moreover, there is no altruistic or philanthropic motive behind this application; it is purely an
opportunistic ‘for-profit’ business venture by people outside the local area with no interest in the
local community or any concern for the devastation it would cause to local people and other users of
these lanes. This is a business that will be charging £23,000 per annum in fees – it is the starting
position for a major venture looking to secure high profits.

This is not a case of a resident of Parsonage Lane trying to make commercial use of their land –
which, in itself, would be unacceptable. This is an application from an individual from outside North
Cray who alone, or with others, has purchased a large residential property and adjoining land purely
for the purposes of building a major commercial venture with absolutely no regard for the
devastation this would cause to local residents who are fiercely protective of this peaceful residential
area within the Green Belt – which is unique within Bexley. It would also have a profound effect on
other regular users of these lanes - horse-riders, ramblers, cyclists, the many dog walkers and visitors
to Joydens Wood - and would have a harmful effect on this area’s wildlife.

Everyone is aware that a private ‘high fee-paying’ school is a major, high activity business, normally
working seven days (and evenings) a week throughout the calendar year – including facilities hired
out for evening classes, other activities and holiday courses. The applicant’s starting position that
this is to be a small, low impact, development should be taken with a ‘pinch of salt’. The
deliberately misleading and overly simplified Application documents try to hide the true impact of
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