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Sira development gets go ahead
A listed grade 2 mansion in Chislehurst will be sympathetically restored and converted into 7 apartments following approval at last Tuesday’s Development Control Committee. The revised development proposal will also see the coach house and lodge restored and used as dwellings. The development, creating 39 residential units in total, will involve contributions towards affordable housing, health care and education.
“This revised proposal will see less residential units on the site with plans in place to manage the surrounding woodland. The mansion will also be restored and returned to residential use. This is what Ernest Newton, the designer originally envisaged back in the 1880’s when this ‘arts and crafts’ mansion was constructed” said Councillor Gordon Jenkins, Chairman of Development Control Committee at his first meeting as Chairman.
The site has had long term use for a scientific research-based commercial operation with all buildings used for that purpose. The restoration of the buildings also includes the restoration of the adjacent formal gardens around the mansion and parkland generally.
The planning consent will be accompanied by a legal agreement to provide funding for
- Affordable housing - £1,485,000
- Education - £94,450
- Health care - £66,000
A payment in lieu for affordable housing was made because the nature and type of housing on the site was not considered suitable for the Council’s priority housing needs. The site is not well related to public transport and will carry significant service charges to accommodate the landscaping maintenance and would therefore not be likely to be suitable for affordable housing.
ENDS