John Austin MP at the exhibition at the Leisure Centre with local Erith resident, Bernie Hammond. 

Local MP, John Austin, was at the Erith Leisure Centre on Saturday 5 April, to discuss the future development plans for Erith waterfront area and town centre with council officers and local residents.  Bexley Council  had organised a model display and pictures of possible development options.

John Austin said:  “There is now a real opportunity to regenerate the Town Centre and increase public access to the waterfront area and I am keen to hear the views of local people.  This development could bring prosperity to the area and substantially improve the local environment.  Obviously, however, local people do have some worries about the scale of such a development and the possible change it can bring to the area.  Some of the concerns expressed to me were about the scale of the proposed high-rise buildings, public transport issues, parking and access.  One of the possible designs will involve major changes in road layout and views were very mixed on this.

“There needs to be much more discussion about the balance between private and social housing and the balance between housing, retail and commercial development and leisure and recreation facilities.  Of course much will depend upon what may be commercially viable, but there is a real chance for local people to influence the decisions.   A widespread concern was how to avoid the disasters of previous developments which have been built on the basis of ‘buy to let’ which has led to appalling management problems and the Council needs to be clear about how it will avoid the problems faced by residents in areas such as Chandler’s Wharf.”