About Us
We are a group of Sidcup residents working for a better Sidcup for all residents. The Group was established in 2002 and is strictly independent and apolitical.
Sidcup remains a decent place to live. It has good communication links to London and is within easy reach of what is left of the Green Belt and Kent countryside beyond. Life expectancy is high and Crime levels are low, certainly by London Borough standards. The price for these benefits is eternal vigilance.
Applications for speculative development are increasing, traffic congestion is a worry, some of Sidcup’s historic buildings are under pressure and our hospital faces serious downgrading, possibly leading to future closure.
We support the police in their efforts to bring improvements and in particular the establishment of dispersal zones, priority policing areas and the crack-down on retailers selling alcohol to minors. We have concerns about plans to close Sidcup Police Station and do not believe that Community Support Officers, whilst performing a valuable role offer the same protection as police officers. We are concerned that during priorities elsewhere, police are diverted Sidcup. Also, whilst police are stationed outside McDonalds to protect the public from school children, they cannot be tackling crime elsewhere.
On planning matters, we are aware of the needs for increased housing due to migration and rising birth rates resulting in an expanding population. We believe that developments must be proportionate, sympathetic to their surroundings and meet the planning / UDP criteria, Mayor’s London Housing Design Guide and the “Design for Living” guidelines. We wish to see the protection of existing viable properties many of which encapsulate the very character of Sidcup.
The mixed retail character of the High Street has been under threat since the Council promised that the town-centre supermarket would “revitalise” the High Street and now allows it to flout several planning conditions. Pub owners have pressed for later closing times, Coffee shops opened without planning permission and Take-aways with their associated filth have multiplied. Adequate free parking is required close to the High Street.
On licensing, we recognise the need for traders to prosper and for people to eat, drink and party. In a mixed residential environment, the needs of residents must also be considered along with their right, enshrined in European Human Rights legislation to peaceful enjoyment of their homes. This can be achieved by adhering to sensible and considerate hours of operation and adequate controls on behaviour. We do not accept that greedy individuals or business should be allowed to overturn planning guidelines the drafting of which was financed by taxpayers.
We feel that Sidcup’s remaining open spaces, allotments and adjacent Green Belt must be protected for the health and enjoyment of all. We encourage the greater adoption of re-cycling and energy efficiency.
In recent years we have seen plans to convert the ABC cinema into a Night Club for 1,400 patrons, applications from a High Street pub to stage hen and stag nights featuring female and male strippers, plans to open a pole dancing club, a grotesque development in Station road, plans to sell Manor House, the downgrading of the town’s hospital and the continuing loss of High Street retailers.
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