Plans unveiled

8:40am Wednesday 31st October 2001

PLANS to secure the future of one of Bexley's most historic houses and gardens could involve building homes or even a hotel on part of the site.

After extensive public consultation, a draft planning brief for the Hall Place estate in Bourne Road, Bexley, has just been unveiled.

The Grade II listed house set in historic gardens, needs £2m worth of repairs and maintenance, as well as investment for its future.

Bexley Heritage Trust, which now manages Hall Place, is also trying to develop it as a high quality regional attraction.

Among the ideas being looked at is building a hotel on land between the house and the river, next to the nurseries.

The same site is also being looked at for possible house building.

The present allotment site involves moving the changing facilities and the land behind Halcot Avenue, known as HalcotFields, to other alternative sites for house building.

Other ideas include moving the sports changing facilities and car parking for the sports pitches, moving the caf into the stable block.

Extra car parking and a replacement allotment area are also being considered.

The planning brief, which will now be available for public comments, lists the advantages and disadvantages of the options. It also looks at the improvements needed to make the estate more attractive and ideas for the use of the house.

Copies of the planning brief are available in libraries, council offices, at Hall Place and on the website at www.hallplaceand gardens.com

Comments have to be received by November 12 and will be considered at Bexley's cabinet meeting on November 27. The agreed draft will be published in January.

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