The Development Control Committee of Bromley Council met on Tuesday 27 May 2025 to discuss the review of the Bromley Local Plan. The committee noted the draft Bromley Local Plan Review Direction of Travel (Regulation 18) Consultation document and recommended that the Council's Executive approve it for public consultation. A key decision made was that Bromley Council will set its own annual target for housing application approvals, based on previous years' decisions, to ensure a deliverable and appropriate number of new homes.

Bromley Local Plan Review Direction of Travel Consultation

The committee considered the draft Bromley Local Plan Review Direction of Travel (Regulation 18) Consultation document, which outlines the progress of the Local Plan review, the evidence base for the new plan, and the Council's preferred policy direction across various topics. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy, Ben Johnson, provided an overview of the planned engagement process, which will involve the Council newsletter, stakeholder mailing lists, libraries, and direct communication with subscribers to the Planning Policy database. While in-person workshop sessions were suggested, it was confirmed that information would be available in libraries but in-person sessions were unlikely.

During the discussion of Section 1: Introduction, members suggested including a process map and a glossary of terms to aid public understanding. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy noted that a Strategic Project Tracker was already in place and could be expanded. The potential for Neighbourhood Development Plans was also discussed, with the Council offering advice to any interested community groups.

In relation to Section 2: Vision, Objectives and Spatial Strategy, members emphasised the importance of accessibility and inclusiveness in development. Concerns were raised about the protection of community facilities, with the Head of Planning Policy and Strategy clarifying that strong criteria would be put in place to protect community assets, though flexibility for site release would exist if appropriately evidenced. The role of local energy networks and low-carbon generation was clarified to primarily refer to infrastructure for larger schemes, but also encompassing smaller-scale renewable technologies. The definition of high quality design was acknowledged as challenging, but it was stated that the new Local Plan would include design principles and policies to define this in a Bromley context. The potential for Green Belt development and the identification of grey belt sites were discussed, with the Head of Planning Policy and Strategy explaining that brownfield land was a broad term and that potential grey belt sites could be identified through the ongoing Green Belt review. The inclusion of insurance flood maps in the evidence base and the pressure of new development on wastewater infrastructure were also addressed.

Housing

The committee discussed the summary of the Council's preferred policy direction for housing. Councillor Simon Fawthrop proposed, and Councillor Michael Tickner seconded, a motion that the Council's Executive be requested to agree that Bromley Council sets its own annual target for housing application approvals, based on previous years' decisions, and stating the number of new homes that was appropriate and deliverable. This motion was CARRIED. Members also suggested rewording Point 5 of the preferred policy direction to Set out robust criteria… for the conversion of existing residential units and the development of backland sites and garden land. Concerns were raised about the conversion of bungalows, which are beneficial for older people and those with accessibility needs, and the potential loss of housing units through amalgamation of properties. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy explained the difficulty in specifically protecting bungalows but noted that preserving the low-rise character of areas where bungalows contributed significantly to the character could be a route. The importance of engaging with housing associations and addressing the need for traveller accommodation were also highlighted. The development of specific policies on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) was discussed, with suggestions to include waste management and consider densification.

Design and Heritage

Members stressed the importance of providing green infrastructure and amenity space, including child play space, as part of new developments. The Head of Planning Policy noted that while on-site play space was sought, financial contributions were sometimes provided instead due to design and viability issues. The consideration of externally lit shopfronts in Conservation Areas was discussed, with reference made to the adopted Urban Design Guide. The need for high-quality design standards for both individual developments and localities was emphasised. Concerns were raised about the comprehensiveness of new-style Conservation Area Appraisals (CAAs) compared to existing Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), with clarification that CAAs are supporting guidance documents.

Employment

The committee discussed the removal of the London Biggin Hill Airport SOLDC designation, with the Head of Planning Policy and Strategy explaining that this was due to the latest London Plan no longer specifying this designation. The airport would continue to be recognised as a strategic employment location. The protection of employment floorspace in light of trends towards home and flexible working was discussed, with the intention to seek provision of office space with flexible configurations. The needs of emerging sectors, such as shared space for makers, were also mentioned. Improvements to Bromley South station and its public realm were highlighted as crucial for the local economy.

Retail and Leisure

A policy encouraging a more concentrated retail offer within town centres to reduce vacant units was suggested. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy confirmed the intention to identify primary shopping areas and adopt a more flexible approach in town centres outside these areas, also encouraging meanwhile uses in vacant retail units. The accommodation of delivery drivers and toilet facilities in town centres was raised. The shift towards the experience economy and the use of Class E for commercial, business, and service uses were discussed. The protection of local shopping parades and the potential for addressing events and commercial use of public spaces were also considered. The policy on over-concentration of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and hot food takeaways was clarified to focus only on areas where overconcentration was harmful to local amenity.

Sustainability and Waste

No specific comments were made on this section.

Green Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity

Concerns were raised about developers arguing for Green Belt development based on very special circumstances, with members seeking more robust wording in the Local Plan to discourage this. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy advised that this was governed by national policy but that applications would be subject to detailed examination. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) were requested to be referenced alongside Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). The possibility of registering parts of the borough as Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas was also queried.

Social and Strategic Infrastructure

The inclusion of this chapter was welcomed, reflecting concerns about the pressure of new developments on existing services and the need for new services or capacity to be developed alongside them. The funding of necessary infrastructure improvements, primarily through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) or direct developer contributions, was discussed. The retention of sports, recreation, and playing fields was affirmed, with existing policy covering deliberate neglect of sites. The need to ensure future burial space was also addressed.

Transport

The issue of pavement quality, particularly for those with accessibility needs, was highlighted, with the potential for addressing this through public realm policies.

RESOLVED:

The Committee recommended that the Council's Executive:

• Approve the Bromley Local Plan Review Direction of Travel (Regulation 18) draft document to proceed to public consultation, subject to Members' comments.
• Agree that Bromley Council sets its own annual target for housing application approvals, based on previous years' decisions, and stating the number of new homes that was appropriate and deliverable.