Benedict House Preparatory School, on Victoria Road in the Christ Church Conservation Area, has applied to Bexley Council to vary its planning permission for a new sports hall and multi-use games area (MUGA).
Documents show the school wants to remove an existing condition and replace it with new rules on opening hours, maximum hours of use and capacity.
If approved, the MUGA could be hired for up to six hours a day. The school has proposed the following times:
• Weekdays (term time, April–July): 6pm–8pm
• Weekends (all year) and school holidays: Monday–Saturday 9am–8pm, Sundays 10am–4pm
Council papers reveal 45 comments have already been submitted, with 44 objections.
Residents have raised concerns about late-night noise, extra traffic and parking problems in the conservation area.
In response, the school has provided a new noise assessment, which it says shows levels will remain acceptable with existing acoustic fencing.
A Parking Management Plan has also been lodged, with no on-site parking available for community use. Instead, users will be directed to public car parks, and the school says it may refuse bookings from those who ignore the rules.
10 sheltered cycle spaces would be made available beside the MUGA.
The school argues the changes would support Bexley’s Local Plan by offering new facilities for the community.
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Draft lettings agreements have also been submitted showing how bookings would be managed.
The application, reference 25/00993/FUL, is open for comment until September 4 and can be viewed on Bexley Council’s website.
