Consultation on proposed planning changes

London Borough of Bexley is consulting businesses and landowners in its industrial locations across the borough and other interested parties, on the introduction of a ‘non-immediate Article 4 Direction.

In response to growing concerns about an increasing number of offices and other commercial buildings in industrial sites being converted to residential dwellings under permitted development rights, the Council has taken a decision to introduce a non-immediate Article 4 Direction that will bring this type of development into planning control. This does not mean that this type of development is unacceptable; it just means that a planning application will be required so that the Council can consider all relevant implications and impose appropriate conditions as needed.

The Article 4 Direction is proposed to come into force on 1 December 2024, subject to the consideration of consultation comments received, the views of the Secretary of State and subsequent confirmation by the Council. Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE said:" We know it is essential to build more homes to meet growing local need and the conversion of unused commercial buildings can play a part in that. However, these new homes must be of high quality and in the right locations. We also need to make sure that our industrial areas are protected so they can provide good employment opportunities for local people. This Direction will provide us with the additional controls we need to ensure the right balance is struck between these competing needs.”

Consultation on the Article 4 Direction is open to the public for comment for three months between 1 December 2023 and 29 February 2024.

You can email your views to SP&Gteam@bexley.gov.uk with the subject: Article 4 Direction or write to: Strategic Planning, London Borough of Bexley at the address shown below. Any correspondence concerning the Article 4 Direction consultation must be received by 5pm on 29 February 2024.

The consultation is available online. Alternatively, paper copies of the documents, including the Direction, can be viewed during normal office hours at the Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA6 7AT.

Anew banking hub opened recently in London Borough of Bexley, based at 97-99 Welling High Steet. The new Hub offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions.

The hub came about following a community request from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness O’Neill OBE to LINK, the UK’s cash access and cash machine network, for the return of banks to the high street.

Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE said: “I’m delighted by the opening of the Welling Bank Hub. This will make a big difference to so many local people. I’d asked for this facility because many residents were very disappointed that all the banks had pulled out of the high street. They told me this was hampering their lives - at best an inconvenience, but for some a source of real distress as they lacked the necessary digital know-how or access.”

It also offers a Community Banker service where customers can talk to their own banking provider about more complicated issues, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.