Corner Vesta Road & the Brockley to New Cross Gate Railway and ‘Scout Hut’ is found on the list of Reject sites at the website of Lewisham Consultation Portal.
As the 'Designated Site of Importance to Nature Conservation (SINC) and of Metropolitan Importance', the reasons for being rejected to be used as residential area are:
This site performs a valuable open space function in the area. It also contains some of the finest railside wildlife habitats in London. As a greenfield site, residential development would be contrary to PPS3.
An extensive railway cutting between New Cross Gate and Forest Hill stations, in a strongly urban area of south London. The most representative site in London for habitats developing on active railsides, it also demonstrates well their important role in allowing natural vegetation to develop in the heart of the inner city. The site is unusual however, in containing three nature reserves that allow access to a large section of the cutting. Two of these are managed by the Council; a third is managed by the London Wildlife Trust.
The woodland is dominated by sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior), with some birch (Betula spp.). Several locally uncommon ground flora plants include bitter-vetch (Lathyrus linifolius), ramsons (Allium ursinum) and goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea). Open grassy habitats indicate a wide range of underlying soil conditions. More neutral grassland supports the London rarities common restharrow (Ononis repens) and common centaury (Centaurium erythraea). Extensive dry reed (Phragmites australis) beds are probably a relic of the Croydon Canal, which once floowed the route now occupied by the railway.
The breeding avifauna includes tawny owl, lesser spotted woodpecker and bullfinch. A surprisingly diverse invertebrate fauna includes several nationally scarce species, amongst which is the white-letter hairstreak butterfly.
Site Type: Metropolitan
Access: Can be viewed from adjacent paths or roads only
Borough: Lewisham ; Southwark
Ownership: Network Rail
Habitats: Acid grassland ; Pond/lake ; Reed bed ; Scrub ; Secondary woodland ; Semi-improved neutral grassland ; Tall herbs
Sites of Metropolitan Importance ('Met Sites'):
There are about 140 Met sites, including the best examples of wildlife habitats in London. They often contain many rare plants and animals. They are selected as the most important sites for biodiversity by the Mayor of London and his officers at the Greater London Authority. They include the Thames, the canals, the London section of Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Hyde Park and Camley Street Natural Park in Kings Cross.
Information from: http://wildweb.london.gov.uk/wildweb/PublicSiteView.do?siteid=7252
