It has been a matter of much debate around Coulsdon for the past few months, and next week the people will have the answer to the question, what will become of the Lion Green?

In December last year a planning application was submitted to build 157 homes on the Lion Green Road Car Park site.

Blocks of five, six and seven stories would make up the homes, 50 per cent of which would be affordable.

Since then 274 people have commented on the plans, with an overwhelming number (254) opposing the idea.

Objections included Public transport issues and a general overdevelopment in the area.

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One of the main objections from residents was the loss of heritage associated with the site, namely the Surrey Iron Railway.

This issue was brought up by Historic England which "indicated that the new development impacts the Scheduled Ancient Monument as a result of the increased height and overbearing nature of the new buildings reducing visibility from Lion Green Road and would dominate the

embankment.

"Nevertheless Historic England supports the proposals, subject to securing heritage benefits to counter the harm caused to the setting of the Scheduled Monument by the new buildings, by increasing access to and understanding of the Surrey Iron Railway embankment."

The case officer felt the same way as has recommended the development be approved.

"In relation to heritage assets, there will be no loss of significance or substantial harm and the identified the public benefits of the scheme would outweigh the scale of harm caused," the officer wrote as a "key reason" for the recommendation.

"The proposal will provide residential use, re-provision of public car parking facilities to retain the vitality and viability of the District Centre and will provide further community use (potentially a NHS health centre) on a donor site and is acceptable in terms of use, given the Lion Green Road allocation."

As well as the homes, nearly 116 public and 45 resident car park spaces will be built, to go along with 220 cycle parking spots.

A final decision will be made on the proposal at a planning committee meeting on March 22.