Property

Best Guide to the Erith Post Office Redevelopment and What It Means for Locals

Tuesday, 18 November 2025 5:03AM UTC

Shoppers and residents are watching as Bexley Council greenlights a controversial plan to demolish the 1933 Erith Post Office and build 33 flats, a decision that matters because it includes no affordable homes and is forecast to lose the council £113,000. Here’s a clear, local-focused look at what’s been approved, why people are upset, and what to expect next.

Essential Takeaways

New homes planned: 33 flats (1 one-bed, 24 two-beds, 8 three-beds) set for a part-three, part-six storey block with two ground-floor commercial units.
Heritage retained, partially: The locally listed 1933 brick façade will be kept, but key features like much of the curved wall will be removed, which irks locals.
No affordable housing: BexleyCo says the scheme is in deficit, so affordable units aren’t financially viable now.
Parking worries: The scheme provides minimal car parking, with councillors fearing future residents will still own cars.
Council loss flagged: The council expects to lose around £113,000 on the development, prompting criticism about use of public money.

Why the council pushed ahead despite the outcry

BexleyCo, the council’s own property arm, put the application forward and argued the site needed development and regeneration. Supporters said the new building will create an “attractive gateway” at the northern end of Erith town centre and promote walking and public transport by limiting car spaces, which they say frees space for more homes. That pitch won a majority at the planning committee even though several councillors voiced strong reservations.

Behind the decision is a balancing act: deliver new housing to help ease local housing pressure while handling a tricky site that planners say won’t stack up financially if affordable homes are added. The developer says viability reviews could trigger affordable housing contributions later if the scheme’s finances improve.

What is being lost and what’s being kept , the heritage argument

Erith’s 1933 Post Office is locally listed and loved for its brick façade and distinctive curved wall. The approved design keeps the brick frontage but removes significant parts of that curved wall, which many residents and councillors regard as the building’s defining feature. Critics say grafting a modern, taller block behind the old façade causes “substantial harm” to the Erith Riverside Conservation Area and gives the town an incoherent look.

That partial preservation approach is common in local developments: you keep the most photogenic bits but make way for denser housing behind. For some that’s sensible compromise, for others it feels like a loss of character , and that emotional reaction is driving ongoing frustration.

Why affordable housing isn’t included and what that means locally

BexleyCo says the scheme will run at a deficit of roughly £113,000, so adding affordable units would make the project financially unviable. That’s the council’s stated reason for not securing any affordable homes at this stage. Some councillors challenged the logic, arguing alternatives , like replacing the planned commercial units with more housing , might boost returns and allow for some affordable provision.

The practical effect is clear: 33 private flats will arrive without the social-tenure mix many argue the borough desperately needs. For people priced out of the market, that’s another missed opportunity to increase genuinely affordable supply close to transport and shops.

Parking, shops and the look of the high street , local worries

Councillors raised practical concerns about lack of parking and whether the two commercial units on the corner will ever be occupied. Opponents worry empty shopfronts could make the area feel less lively, while supporters say the units will help frame and animate the restored Post Office façade and encourage strolling shoppers.

There’s also a wider visual gripe: the block steps up to six storeys and sits taller than nearby buildings, which some say creates a clash with Erith’s existing streetscape. It’s a reminder that regeneration is not just about numbers but also about how developments make people feel when they walk past them.

What happens next and how residents can stay involved

The planning committee approved the scheme on November 13, so the next steps are detailed design, any legal agreements, and the start of works. The developer has left the door open to future viability reviews, which could secure affordable housing later if costs or market conditions change.

If you live in Erith and want to follow progress, keep an eye on Bexley Council planning pages and local ward councillors for updates. With just eight formal objections recorded during consultation, councillors urged neighbours to speak up if they want a louder say , more resident feedback can shape future tweaks.

Ready to see how this will change your high street? Check the council’s planning portal for the latest drawings and keep an eye on local notices to track when builders move in.

More on this

https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/south-london-post-office-demolished-32888964 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/ - Bexley Council plans to demolish the 1930s Erith Post Office and construct a 33-flat development, comprising one one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom units. The project will retain the 1933 brick façade and include two commercial units on the ground floor. However, no affordable housing will be included due to financial viability concerns, with the council estimating a £113,000 loss on the project. Councillor Chris Ball expressed opposition, citing the absence of affordable housing and the project's financial implications. Residents have also raised objections regarding the loss of the Post Office and inadequate parking provisions.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/ - Bexley Council plans to demolish the 1930s Erith Post Office and construct a 33-flat development, comprising one one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom units. The project will retain the 1933 brick façade and include two commercial units on the ground floor. However, no affordable housing will be included due to financial viability concerns, with the council estimating a £113,000 loss on the project. Councillor Chris Ball expressed opposition, citing the absence of affordable housing and the project's financial implications. Residents have also raised objections regarding the loss of the Post Office and inadequate parking provisions.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/ - Bexley Council plans to demolish the 1930s Erith Post Office and construct a 33-flat development, comprising one one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom units. The project will retain the 1933 brick façade and include two commercial units on the ground floor. However, no affordable housing will be included due to financial viability concerns, with the council estimating a £113,000 loss on the project. Councillor Chris Ball expressed opposition, citing the absence of affordable housing and the project's financial implications. Residents have also raised objections regarding the loss of the Post Office and inadequate parking provisions.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/ - Bexley Council plans to demolish the 1930s Erith Post Office and construct a 33-flat development, comprising one one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom units. The project will retain the 1933 brick façade and include two commercial units on the ground floor. However, no affordable housing will be included due to financial viability concerns, with the council estimating a £113,000 loss on the project. Councillor Chris Ball expressed opposition, citing the absence of affordable housing and the project's financial implications. Residents have also raised objections regarding the loss of the Post Office and inadequate parking provisions.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/ - Bexley Council plans to demolish the 1930s Erith Post Office and construct a 33-flat development, comprising one one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom units. The project will retain the 1933 brick façade and include two commercial units on the ground floor. However, no affordable housing will be included due to financial viability concerns, with the council estimating a £113,000 loss on the project. Councillor Chris Ball expressed opposition, citing the absence of affordable housing and the project's financial implications. Residents have also raised objections regarding the loss of the Post Office and inadequate parking provisions.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/ - Bexley Council plans to demolish the 1930s Erith Post Office and construct a 33-flat development, comprising one one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom units. The project will retain the 1933 brick façade and include two commercial units on the ground floor. However, no affordable housing will be included due to financial viability concerns, with the council estimating a £113,000 loss on the project. Councillor Chris Ball expressed opposition, citing the absence of affordable housing and the project's financial implications. Residents have also raised objections regarding the loss of the Post Office and inadequate parking provisions.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is based on a press release from BexleyCo, the council's own property arm, detailing the approval of a development plan for the Erith Post Office site. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 20 December 2024, when BexleyCo revealed plans for the development. ([fromthemurkydepths.co.uk](https://www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2024/12/20/revealed-erith-post-office-development-from-bexley-developer/?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data, such as the council's approval on 13 November 2025, which justifies a higher freshness score. However, the core content appears to be recycled from earlier reports. The narrative has been republished across various outlets, including KentOnline and Yahoo News UK, indicating widespread dissemination. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that the content may have been repurposed across multiple platforms. The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from BexleyCo and local councillors. The earliest known usage of these quotes is in the KentOnline article published on 7 November 2025. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/?utm_source=openai)) Identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potential reuse. The wording of the quotes varies slightly across sources, suggesting possible paraphrasing or selective quoting. No online matches were found for some of the quotes, raising the possibility of original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from BexleyCo, the council's own property arm, which is a reputable organisation. However, the report has been republished across various outlets, including KentOnline and Yahoo News UK, indicating widespread dissemination. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that the content may have been repurposed across multiple platforms. The reliance on a single source for the core information raises questions about the diversity of perspectives and potential biases.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents a detailed account of the council's decision to approve the demolition of the Erith Post Office and the construction of 33 flats. The development plan includes 33 flats (1 one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, 8 three-bedroom) in a part-three, part-six storey block with two ground-floor commercial units. The locally listed 1933 brick façade will be retained, but key features like much of the curved wall will be removed. The scheme provides minimal car parking, with councillors fearing future residents will still own cars. The council expects to lose around £113,000 on the development. These details align with information from the KentOnline article published on 7 November 2025. ([kentonline.co.uk](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/news/council-wants-to-replace-1930s-post-office-with-flats-but-332274/?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data, such as the council's approval on 13 November 2025, justifies a higher plausibility score. However, the reliance on a single source for the core information raises questions about the diversity of perspectives and potential biases.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents a detailed account of the council's decision to approve the demolition of the Erith Post Office and the construction of 33 flats. While the inclusion of updated data justifies a higher freshness and plausibility score, the reliance on a single source for the core information raises questions about the diversity of perspectives and potential biases. The potential reuse of quotes and the repurposing of content across multiple platforms suggest that the narrative may not be entirely original. Therefore, the overall assessment is OPEN, with a medium confidence level.