Work has begun to convert a derelict hospital in Bexley into more than 100 new homes, a year on from its knife-edge planning approval decision.
Bexley Council’s Planning Committee granted planning permission to redevelop the former Bexley Maternity Hospital building on Erith Road by Bursted Woods on July 31, 2025.
The 121-home development was put forward by the council’s own residential developer BexleyCo, but it was criticised by Labour councillors for not having more social housing. Of the 121 new homes, only 18 units will be affordable, a fact committee member Cllr Larry Ferguson called “very concerning”.
Conservative members defended BexleyCo’s proposal, saying the only way to make more affordable units viable within the site would be to build high-rise tower blocks.
The scheme’s number of family-sized units was also praised. The 121 homes will be split between 21 one-bedroom apartments, 60 two-bedroom apartments, 32 three-bedroom apartments and eight three-bedroom houses.
The committee was split when votes were cast, and committee chair Cllr Kurtis Christoforides used his deciding vote to approve the contentious proposal, which received 90 objections from Bexley residents.
Construction on the 121 new homes began last week, with the first ones set to be completed in November 2027.
What the hospital building will look like once it is converted into housing. Credit: BexleyCo. Free for use by all LDRS partners
The units will be contained within the locally listed hospital building, as well as three new six-storey tower blocks and eight two-storey terraced houses.
Bexley Council leader David Leaf and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth & Infrastructure Cllr Cameron Smith joined members from the BexleyCo team and building contractor Penenden Heath Developments at the groundbreaking ceremony last week.
Bexley Council leader David Leaf said: “We have ambitious plans to support good quality housing growth in the right places in Bexley, and this site will be regenerated with new family homes.
“This is an example of how we’re delivering on our commitment to build more homes for local people and achieving the right kind of growth that preserves the character of our borough”
BexleyCo chairman Jeremy Stibbe said: “This development will provide quality new homes for local people, while carefully preserving the historic character of the former maternity hospital as it’s converted to apartments. It represents another key step in our commitment to delivering to our business plan and much-needed homes”.
During last year’s planning meeting, councillors acknowledged that the “lion’s share” of the 90 objections from residents were to do with parking.
Residents living nearby felt that the 96 parking spaces provided for the 121 dwellings would not be sufficient, causing motorists to park in adjacent residential streets.
Highways officers confirmed that the council would be monitoring the parking situation during the development’s construction and past completion and it would be able to impose restrictions if issues arose.
