Bluebell Close

Lewisham Council, working with Kalmars, is marketing the garage site at Bluebell Close. As part of the disposal process it has come to light that there are a number of access easements affecting the land.

Prospective purchasers should be aware that the Council is open to two potential approaches:

• Bidders may negotiate directly with the beneficiaries of the easements to secure a release; or
• The Council may seek to appropriate the land, which would have the effect of overriding the easements once planning permission has been achieved.

Contracts subject to planning will therefore need to accommodate this additional process.

If bids reflect the impact of the easements, the Council may alternatively consider securing planning permission itself and appropriating the land prior to disposal.

Further details and the sales particulars are available from Kalmars.

The site is located close to London borough of Lewisham’s boundary with Southwark. The site is bordered by mature tree canopies to the North, East and West. To the South of the site, existing two storey residential terraces are located.
Local Planning Authority comments indicate that any new development would need to address the appropriate guidance within the Small Sites Design Guide SPD for this Infill site typology.

• There are no TPO on the garages, and the site is not within a conservation area.
• There is a TPO on eight individual trees on adjacent property 14 Sydenham Hill to the northwest of the site.
• The garages are adjacent to the Hillcrest Estate (High Level Drive) Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) – ancient woodland - on the sloping escarpment to the east.
• There is a public footpath between the garages and no.14 leading to the ancient woodland.
• Ancient woodland is defined as irreplaceable habitat ref para 193, NPPF and great care is required to prevent loss or deterioration of ancient woodland.
• Careful considered is required in terms of the potential impacts of development to tree root protection areas, the long-term viability of trees in proximity to new development and disturbance of habitats and green infrastructure connectivity.

The development land will be sold by way of informal tender. The London Borough of Lewisham are seeking offers subject to planning permission. The purchase price will be exclusive of any VAT. Both parties will pay their own legal costs. The intent, subject to contract, is to sell the site on a Freehold basis conditional on planning.