Row over plans to turn David Bowie's childhood home into tourist attraction as neighbours fear being 'invaded by thousands of fans'

Plans to turn David Bowie's childhood home into a tourist attraction could bring an 'invasion' of thousands of fans to a quiet residential street, fearful neighbours have claimed.Heritage of London Trust (HOLT) announced in January it had acquired the unassuming home at 4 Plaistow Grove in Bromley, south-east London, with a view to opening it to the public.The Ziggy Stardust singer lived in the property from the age of eight until 20 - and it was here that Bowie wrote his first chart hit, Space Oddity.Coinciding with the Moon landings in 1969, the song about doomed astronaut Major Tom reached number five and propelled Bowie to international stardom. Now HOLT has submitted a planning application to Bromley Council to restore the two-storey terraced house back to what it would have looked like during the 1960s, as well as replace the garage with a 10ft tall visitor centre featuring a screening room and shop. The applicants expect more than 20,000 visitors a year to the small suburban house.HOLT intends for Bowie House to be open six days a week in the summer, from 10am to 6pm, and five days in the winter, closing at 5pm. There are also plans for the venue to be used for up to 10 evening events a year that could host 45 visitors.But scores of objections have been submitted to the council, with residents concerned that parking, late night events and noise issues will bring increased disturbance to their street. Plans to turn David Bowie's childhood home into a tourist attraction could bring an 'invasion' of thousands of fans to a quiet residential street, fearful neighbours have claimed Heritage of London Trust acquired 4 Plaistow Grove in Bromley, south-east London, with a view to opening it to the public earlier this year Bowie as a child at the home in Bromley, which is now at the centre of a planning rowJulie Davies, chair of Plaistow Grove Residents Association, told The Standard that the plans amounted to an 'invasion' of their otherwise peaceful suburban street.She said: 'The safeguarding of this Grove is threatened completely by the number of people who are strangers to this place who are going to come and invade it.'Resident Ruth Dickie, who lives directly next door at 6 Plaistow Grove, said plans to build the 10ft tall visitor centre along the length of her fence, combined with the thought of thousands of people coming to the street had left her feeling 'sick'.She and her husband lived here together until he passed away from dementia and Parkinson's two years ago - and her home has cherished memories. 'I had no intention of ever wanting to leave it,' she said. 'Now, I’m not sure anymore.' Meanwhile Katie Turner, who lives opposite the Bowie house, called the plans 'far too extensive and extravagant for the site.'Other issues cited by residents include the use of a rear alley as the proposed entrance for the new memorial house.The alley is currently used by residents to access their back gardens, as well as a storage area for bins used by The Crown pub, located just around the corner on Plaistow Lane.Defending the proposals, HOLT said the visitor centre would not be any taller than other nearby garden structures, while visitors would spend only a 'limited amount of time' within the garden. A blue plaque at the site of the house denotes that Bowie lived there from the age of eight to 20Visitors would also be directed to park at nearby car parks rather than the road, or travel to the venue by public transport. Daytime and evening visits would also be kept to restricted numbers. Since the plans were submitted two months ago, there have been 58 objections against the proposals and seven letters of support.One resident in favour said the plans will 'enhance Bromley’s cultural status as a creative borough, bring welcome commerce to the local area and artistic prestige.'Another said there was 'overwhelming benefit' that the project could bring to the area, while a third said it presented the chance to 'safeguard' Bowie's legacy. But those against said the impact on residents would be 'immensely negative given the increased footfall, noise and general disruption.'Another, describing themself as 'a lifelong fan' of Bowie, called the proposal 'ghoulish' and 'macabre' given that the music icon once confessed to not having a 'particularly happy childhood' growing up in Bromley. Bowie had five UK number one singles and 11 UK number one albums, with an influential career that embraced glam rock, soul, electronic music and disco. He died in 2016 aged 69. Bromley Council is due to make a decision on the scheme next month.