The London Borough of Bexley Planning Committee convened on 13 November 2025, and approved applications for town planning at the Old Post Office in Erith, 8 Warren Road in Bexleyheath, and 61 Maxwell Road in Welling. Councillors deferred a decision on a yard adjacent to 11 Blackhorse Road in Sidcup, and approved an application for 37 Crescent Road in Sidcup and 38 Albany Close in Bexley.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussions:

• The Old Post Office, 89 Erith High Street (25/01304/FULM) The committee approved a full planning application for the erection of a part three, part six-storey building, following partial demolition of the existing building to provide 33 dwelling houses and commercial units. Ms. Holford, the council's planning officer, presented the application, highlighting that the site lies within the Erith Riverside Conservation Area[^1] and is allocated for development. She noted that while the proposal would cause less than substantial harm to the conservation area and the locally listed post office, this harm was outweighed by the public benefits of providing housing and commercial units in a sustainable location. Councillor Ball, a ward councillor, expressed concerns about the uninspiring design, the potential for empty commercial units, and inadequate parking. Ms Petruni, speaking on behalf of the applicant Bexler Co Ltd, emphasised the high-quality design and the benefits to the town centre's regeneration. Councillor Davie raised concerns about the harm to the conservation area and the location of bin stores. Councillor Faustin asked about daylight levels and affordable housing. Councillor Taylor argued that the council's property arm should be held to the same rules as private developers and that the development would harm the conservation area, negatively impact green space, and fail to meet affordable housing policies. Councillor Smith supported the application, emphasising the need for housing and the contributions to community infrastructure. Councillor Slaughter raised concerns about the lack of a published conservation area management plan and the impact on parking. Councillor Sandhu supported the retail units and asked about parking provisions. Councillor Ward-Wilson supported the development. Following the debate, the committee approved the application. [^1]: A conservation area is an area designated for preservation due to its special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.

• Yard Adjacent To 11 Blackhorse Road, Sidcup (25/02049/FUL) The committee voted to defer this application for the erection of a two-storey end-of-terrace dwelling house with associated parking, cycle and refuse stores following the demolition of the existing garages. Mr Williams, a planning officer, presented the application, noting that previous schemes had been refused due to design and parking concerns. The current proposal included a pitch roof and a parking space. Mr Burgess, speaking against the application, cited overdevelopment, inadequate parking, and the potential for use as an HMO[^2]. Mr Patel, speaking for the applicant Blackgrass House Ltd, argued that the revised plans addressed previous concerns and would add to available parking. Mr Guest also for the applicant, highlighted the house building crisis in London. Councillor Slaughter raised concerns about parking and the impact on existing planning permissions for the adjacent Trident House. Councillor Smith questioned whether the PTAL rating kind of made the parking space redundant. Councillor Taylor asked about the car access. Following discussion, the committee voted to defer the application so that officers could explore the conflict between the extant permission and this proposal. [^2]: HMO stands for House in Multiple Occupation. It is a property rented out by at least 3 people who are not from 1 'household' (for example a family) but share facilities like the kitchen and bathroom.

• 8 Warren Road, Bexleyheath (24/02925/FUL) The committee approved the erection of a two-storey detached dwelling house with associated parking and refuse storage following demolition of rear boundary wall. Mr Smith, a planning officer, presented the application. Councillor Slaughter asked about the height of the existing and proposed buildings and the effects of light. Councillor Sandy had questions about the boundary. Councillor Davie supported the application. Councillor Ferguson asked about images of the development. Councillor Ward Wilson expressed concerns about the size of the development. The committee approved the application.

• 37 Crescent Road, Sidcup (25/00429/FUL) The committee approved the erection of a detached two-storey dwelling following demolition of existing house and new boundary wall. Mr Smith presented the application. Mrs Stratford, a neighbour, raised concerns about the size of the proposed property and its impact on light. Mr Prange, another neighbour, objected to the extension to the rear and the proximity to the boundary. Mr Harts spoke in support of the application. Councillor Slaughter asked about the height of the buildings and the effects of light. Councillor Sandy asked about the distances between the boundary wall and the new building. Councillor Davie asked about the superimposition of the old and new floorplans. Councillor Ferguson asked about images of the development. Councillor Ward Wilson expressed concerns about the size of the development. The committee approved the application.

• 38 Albany Close, Bexley (25/00666/FUL) The committee approved the redevelopment of the site to provide two detached residential units with associated parking refuse and cycle stores following the demolition of the existing bungalow. Mr Williams presented the application. Mr Burgess objected to the application on the grounds of over development, inadequate parking and the potential for the dwellings to be used as HMOs. Councillor Smith asked about the intention to use the properties as HMOs. Councillor Davie said that he couldn't see any planning reasons for turning the application down. Councillor Taylor asked about the car access. Councillor Slaughter said that she didn't like the look of the design. Councillor Sandhu asked about parking provision. Councillor Ward Wilson asked about the commercial units. The committee approved the application.

• 17 Barnehurst Avenue, Erith (25/00390/FUL) The committee approved the change of use from residential dwelling to HMO for a maximum of four people. Mr Williams presented the application. Councillor Davie said that there was no way to turn down the application. Councillor Slaughter asked about the significance of a registered provider in the area and whether one bathroom was sufficient for four occupiers. Councillor Smith said that the committee did have a choice and that an appeal had recently been dismissed for a rejection of an HMO. The committee approved the application.

• 61 Maxwell Road, Welling (25/01454/FUL) The committee approved the retrospective application for a single storey detached outbuilding. Mr Smith presented the application. Councillor Smith asked whether the representation that the site would turn into an HMO could be ruled out. Councillor Slaughter said that it was a very smart shed and moved the recommendation. The committee approved the application.

• Sidcup Conservative Club, Oxford Road, Sidcup (25/01519/FUL) This application was withdrawn from the agenda.