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Class war has broken out in one of south London’s most genteel suburbs which faces a merger with “edgy” Woolwich in a boundary shake-up.

Residents of Lesnes Abbey ward — famed for its Norman ruins and nature reserve — in Tory-run Bexley fear the change will hit house prices.

They in turn have been accused of snobbery over their campaign against the proposed changes from the Boundary Commission. It plans to move the ward from the Erith and Thamesmead parliamentary constituency to a newly formed seat called Woolwich as part of moves to slash the number of London MPs from 73 to 68 by 2020.

But dozens of residents in Bexley — where singer Kate Bush and food writer Delia Smith grew up — have criticised the proposals, saying they have nothing in common with the riverside town best known for its huge Royal Arsenal. One of them, Maree Parra, said: “We have paid higher prices to live in Bexley as we have no desire to live in Woolwich and do not visit Woolwich for any reason.”

Mary Clark said: “Woolwich has gone downhill big time. I do not want to be classed as being in Woolwich, and the value of my house will go down.”

Nicola Hunter wrote to the commission to say she moved to Bexley borough because “their ideas and priorities are far superior and in line with my views [and] aspirations”.

But Woolwich resident Nick Bradshaw, 60, a freelance musician and music teacher, said: “Having lived in this area for 20 years, there’s a clear divide between the sort of people inhabiting Plumstead and Woolwich and those in Welling or Bexleyheath.

“I was always aware of the different demographics and Bexley is less cosmopolitan. They seem more reactionary and conservative. I go to Bexley and can’t wait to get away from there. I think it’s them being snobby and they have not been sensible about it. These comments don’t surprise me because I know what kind of people these are.”

The ward is part of the Erith and Thamesmead constituency represented by Labour’s Teresa Pearce. Under the proposed changes, it would remain in Bexley borough but become part of the new Woolwich constituency.

Greenwich Labour councillor David Gardner said Bexley residents have “misjudged” Woolwich, which is a “cosmopolitan and vibrant” place. He added: “This will have no impact on house prices whatsoever.”

Boundary Commission spokesman Sam Hartley said: “Comments made during both consultations will help us develop a well-rounded picture of how local communities live and work together across the country. This local knowledge will be essential when we revise our proposals. Any changes will be based on your comments, so it’s important to have your say.”

Bexley