Lower Sidcup is a Mess?

I am writing with reference to your article on the front page of the December Sidcup & Bexley Chronicle.  I was disgusted with the published views of the developers, Cathedral Group.  I was recently approached by a canvasser for the developers whilst waiting for my train at Sidcup Station.  He asked a series of questions and I told him that the proposed building looks hideous, was gaudy, too high for the area and not in keeping with the surroundings.  I also told him that the existing red brick building which is four storeys high was in keeping with the area and that the existing shops were adequate.  120 flats were far too many and there was no parking facility available for the flat owners.  Where will they park?  Station Road Sidcup is already suffering a congestion problem and it is bad enough with the number of buses using the car park to turn round during the rush hour.  This development is a non starter and that was the view of several commuters on the station platform.  Do we really need such a monstrosity? 

Raymond D’Silva, Sidcup

Eyesore

I received the December issue of the Bexley Chronicle and was horrified by the picture on the front cover of the write up, ‘Lower Sidcup is a mess?’. I can’t believe this eyesore of a building is being proposed for our town. This is not inkeeping with our area and would be a  terrible mistake . The area is no worse than others but this type  of building would be a total misfit and can only create an unharmonious ambience in our town.

I suppose the developers dont actually live here?  It is as bad as Upton School and the extention at Townley Road - they just do not fit in with the overall look of the area and are a complete eyesore.

Margaret M Cowell, Sidcup

Foots Cray Meadows

I am writing in reply to your footnote to my letter about Foots Cray Meadows in the last edition of The Chronicle. By Round House I assume you mean the Pavilion. This was built about 1912 by Lord Waring. When the Meadows became public property the Pavilion was occupied for many years by the headmaster of what is now Cleeve Park School (formerly Parkwood). When his widow died it remained empty for some time and then was sold to a private owner. There was no question of erecting information boards about it. It had been part of the Foots Cray Estate as were the stables which have now been sold in a similar way as the Pavilion. The placing of interpretation boards and clearance of some trees is about Foots Cray Place itself which as I indicated in my last letter is of considerable historic importance. Tree management by foresters involves the lopping and felling of trees as a matter of course. Woodlands have to be managed. Foots Cray Meadows is no exception.

John Mercer - Bexley Civic Society Chairman

Bexleyheath Neighbourhood Watch Relocate

Due to the workforce modernisation carried out at Bexleyheath Police Station, more office space has been needed with the result that the Bexleyheath Neighbourhood Watch Association has had to move office to Belvedere Police Station.

As we have been active in the Borough since 1998, residents have always been able to contact us by post or by using our answerphone system at Bexleyheath Police Station. Therefore, we would like to inform residents that our new contact details are as follows:

Address: Belvedere Police Station, 2 Nuxley Road, Belvedere, Kent, DA17 5JF. Telephone: 02082845537

E-mail: office@bexleywatch.org.uk

Website: www.bexleywatch.org.uk

Ray Hudson - Chairman of Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association

Station development

The Cathedral Group who wish to develop the area beside Sidcup station.

What a load of bilge they advance in support of their application to redevelop the area.

It is certainly not without fault but it is nowhere as bad as they make it out to be!  You name me an area with no faults?

Their development will look a complete eyesore and entirely unsuited for the area. It is far too high and obviously will bring its own problems to the area.

Their proposals have absolutely nothing to do with improving the area but are aimed solely at vastly increasing their profits.  Their application must be rejected.

Douglas Walters, Sidcup

Distant Relatives

I am trying to find and possibly contact some distant relations and wondered if you could put an advertisement in your paper. They were living in this area in the late 1950’s.

My Grandfather was Arthur James Ashenden and was living with a nephew G.A. Ashenden in Welling, 43 High Street when he died at Brook Hospital Greenwich in 1959.

My Grandparents were also married in the St Paulinus Church in Crayford on 4th July 1921. They were living in London after their marraige but I believe they must have had some relatives still in this area and did visit sometimes.

If anybody could help me, please get in touch by phone or letter.

Mrs C Tillett, 11Fir Tree Close, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 7EX

Tel. 01983 404674