Bexley Council’s Erith Post Office development faces criticism over absence of affordable housing

Plans to demolish the 1930s Erith Post Office and replace it with a no-affordable-housing residential scheme have sparked community concerns and political opposition amid financial viability challenges.

Bexley Council is moving forward with plans to demolish the 1930s Erith Post Office and replace it with a 33-flat residential development that will include no affordable housing units. The council-owned housing developer, BexleyCo, has proposed a part three, part six-storey building featuring one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments. Despite the council’s usual policy target of securing 50% affordable housing in new developments, it has been determined that this project will not provide any affordable units due to financial viability concerns.

The existing locally listed brick façade of the 1933 Post Office is set to be retained and integrated into the new building, which will also include two commercial units on the ground floor. Additionally, residents of the new flats would have access to a communal courtyard and a roof terrace offering views over the Thames. The building is located at the corner of Erith High Street and Bexley Road, adjacent to Erith station.

A financial viability assessment submitted in June initially predicted that the council would face a substantial £1.5 million loss once all units were sold. An updated review in August softened this figure considerably, but it still indicated that the development would lose £113,000. This shortfall has been cited by the council as the justification for not including any affordable housing in the project.

Erith Councillor Chris Ball has voiced strong opposition to the omission of affordable housing, describing it as a “clear breach of policy” and a “deeply concerning message.” Speaking publicly, he emphasised the urgent need for affordable homes in both London and Bexley, arguing that financial viability cannot be an acceptable reason to overlook this need. The local community has expressed wider concerns about the development, including objections relating to the loss of the Post Office, the height of the new building, and inadequate parking provision. The Bexley Civic Society also opposed the plan, highlighting the impact on Erith’s Riverside Conservation area and criticising the failure to retain distinctive features such as a curved brick wall that contributes to the building’s character.

Planners from Bexley Council have noted that the proposed commercial units could potentially accommodate a Post Office, but they stressed that whether a Post Office returns to the site would be at the discretion of the Post Office company itself.

This development follows other recent initiatives by BexleyCo, including a larger 70-flat scheme near Erith station on Walnut Tree Road, which similarly failed to include affordable housing due to viability issues. Meanwhile, other development projects in Bexley, like the Erith Quarry and Park East regeneration schemes, have incorporated a significant proportion of affordable homes with council nomination rights, indicating a mixed approach in the borough’s housing strategy.

While the council aims to increase housing supply, the lack of affordable units in this specific project is stirring debate over balancing financial constraints with local housing policy goals and community needs.

📌 Reference Map:

• ^[1] (MyLondon) – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• ^[2] (KentOnline) – Paragraph 1, 3
• ^[3] (From The Murky Depths) – Paragraph 2, 3
• ^[4] (From The Murky Depths) – Paragraph 7
• ^[5] (Bexley Home Choice) – Paragraph 8
• ^[6] (Bexley Home Choice) – Paragraph 8
• ^[7] (Bexley Home Choice) – Paragraph 8

Source: Noah Wire Services

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Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the earliest known publication date being 7 November 2025. However, similar content appeared on 20 December 2024, indicating prior coverage. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The earlier version from 2024 mentions a £1.5 million loss, while the 2025 update reports a £113,000 loss, highlighting a significant discrepancy. The 2025 report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged for potential duplication or outdated information.