Residents are 'furious' at plans to concrete over grassland for new homes in a 'rammed' estate in Erith.

Neighbours in Bronte Close have spoken out over plans for 12 new homes on two small parks in Wilde Road 

Bexley Council has opened a consultation on the new proposals, but the decision to develop on the land was made last year.

A spokesman for Bronte Close, which leads on from Wilde Road, said neighbours are concerned by additional traffic as it is a small cul-de-saq.

She said: "We all love living on this street and most wouldn't dream of house swapping in this borough.

"There will be too many cars coming down into the road and blocking it. It wouldn't be safe.

"The grassland is used by everybody. All our children have grown up playing on that grass, and dog walkers use it too.

"We are rammed into this estate - Byron Drive is impassable during school days without getting blocked in.

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Wilde Road green/Streetview 

"There is no room for ambulances especially at school times. Bronte Close has one entrance.

"We have disabled and very ill elderly residents living in the flats and street. One man has had 12 heart attacks - many elderly have lung conditions or are in wheelchairs and need regular transport."

Subject to planning approval, the scheme will provide a total of 12 homes across two separate two-storey, rising to three-storey, buildings with parking on site.

Six units will be created on each site, including two 3-bedroom and a mixture of 1 and 2-bed properties.

The neighbours spokeswoman said: "We are angry we have lost the land. It's not that they are building new houses, but where they are building them. There must be better options that aren't being looked at.

"Professional people will be the ones buying these properties. That'll mean at least a car a household.

"We have lots of night workers - the plans make everything look so big but in reality the space is tiny. Bronte Close is used by parents dropping and picking up school children. These proposals are an accident waiting to happen."

The council decided to develop on the land following a consultation last year.

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The development would have six homes on either side of Bronte Close

A council spokesman said: "The decision was taken to dispose of the land at Wilde Road at a public cabinet meeting in April 2016 following a formal consultation.

"The decision to dispose of the site was made in order to generate revenue savings that will be set against the grounds maintenance budget to protect provision."

"The current consultation gives local people the chance to have their say about the possible plans for the site. Folllowing the consultation any proposals will still also be subject to full planning approval which would include further consultation."

Councillor Daniel Francis, leader of Bexley Labour, has also spoken out about the plans. 

He said: “Bexley’s Labour councillors have opposed the sale of the eight parks and open spaces across Crayford, Erith, Northumberland Heath and Sidcup agreed by this administration.

"With regard to Wilde Road, we argued a public inquiry was necessary as we could not gain answers to our enquiries regarding the loss of open spaces, agreed as part of the original planning application for this estate.

"These concerns remain unanswered and I shall be asking for clarification as to how the council plan to deal with the loss of space gifted to residents as part of the original planning permission.”

The consultation can be found here.