Councillor Kurtis Christoforides
Councillor Cameron Smith
London Borough of Bexley
Civic Offices
2 Watling Street
Bexleyheath
DA6 7AT
[email protected]
[email protected]
Dear Resident
Application for planning permission: 25/00833/FULM
We are writing to you about a planning application that may interest you and other residents.
Net Zero Thirty Two Limited has applied to build an energy storage facility with up to 200 lithium-ion battery units on green fields adjacent to North Cray Road, between Parsonage Lane and Honeydale Farm. The application site is within Bexley’s green belt and is high-quality agricultural land.
Previously, this application would have been considered inappropriate development on the green belt unless the developer could prove that ‘very special circumstances’ exist to justify it. However, the Labour government has recently changed the National Planning Policy Framework, weakening green belt protections.
Using these new rules, the developer is attempting to argue that this farmland is ‘grey belt land, and therefore, building a battery storage facility on the green belt is not inappropriate. While we understand this is the first developer locally to rely on these new rules, we expect others to challenge green belt protections as well.
As your local councillors, Bexley residents, and members of Bexley’s planning committee, we value Bexley’s green belt land very much, not least because it helps preserve the character and setting of Bexley Village and North Cray. We also have questions about the developer’s choice of site, the fire safety of lithium-ion batteries, the impact on biodiversity, and the absence of community benefits in the current application, all of which we raised with them during their initial consultation but have not been adequately addressed.
We are writing to you, as a resident who may be affected by this application, to encourage you to comment on the application. All documents relating to the applications can be found online at the following website and using the following reference numbers: www.bexley.gov.uk/services/planning-and-building-control and select the option to ‘View and comment on planning applications’ and then ‘Search planning applications’
Search using the application reference, which is: 25/00833/FULM
The easiest way to comment is to email [email protected], including your full name and address, and to copy that email to one or both of us at the email addresses at the top of this letter. To ensure that comments are taken into account, the deadline for making representations is Thursday, 22nd May 2025.
Only comments about material planning considerations can be considered. What constitutes a ‘material consideration’ in planning law is not straightforward, but basic information can be found via an online search.
Independent legal advice can be sought in the event of uncertainty, and if you contact us, we will endeavour to answer any questions you have.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Kurtis Christoforides
Councillor Cameron Smith
London Borough of Bexley
