This meeting of the Development Control Committee in Bromley Council considered two planning applications, and approved both with conditions. One application was for the phased mixed-use redevelopment of 1 Westmoreland Road, and the other was for the demolition and redevelopment of Belle Grove, 100 Mickleham Road.

Planning Application: Belle Grove, 100 Mickleham Road, Orpington

Permission was granted for the demolition of the existing building at Belle Grove, and the construction of a five-storey building with 68 affordable housing units. The development will include associated car and cycle parking, and landscaping.

The development will consist of 13 supported living units and 55 social rent units. The site has been vacant since April 2024, and is within the Cray Valley Renewal Area.

The council's planning officer, Agnieszka Nowak-John, recommended that permission be granted subject to planning conditions and a legal agreement.

Key points made in the report and supporting the recommendation were:

• The development would provide a substantial contribution to the borough's housing supply.
• The proposal would make a significant contribution towards addressing the borough's affordable housing needs.
• The proposed design is considered to have an acceptable townscape impact.
• There would be no undue harm to the amenities of the neighbouring occupiers.
• The application demonstrates that the traffic and parking demand generated by the development would not have a significant impact on local highways infrastructure or road safety.
• Adequate sustainability measures would be incorporated achieving the required carbon reduction without causing harmful environmental impacts.

The report noted that the proposal fails to achieve a mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain, but that an off-site mitigation/compensation is proposed to appropriately manage the biodiversity impacts arising from the proposal.

Planning Application: 1 Westmoreland Road, Bromley

Permission was granted for the phased mixed-use redevelopment of 1 Westmoreland Road, Bromley. The proposal includes the demolition of all existing buildings and structures, site preparation and enabling works, construction of a basement, and construction of buildings to provide dwellings (Class C3) and commercial floorspace (Class E). The development will also include associated car and cycle parking, servicing space, landscaping, public realm, means of access and highway alterations, installation of plant and utilities and all other associated infrastructure and ancillary works incidental to the development.

The development will consist of 138 dwellings, commercial office space, and a cafe.

The council's planning officer, Agnieszka Nowak-John, recommended that permission be granted subject to direction by the Mayor of London, a legal agreement, and planning conditions.

Key points made in the report and supporting the recommendation were:

• The proposed development would deliver 138 dwellings on a highly accessible, underutilised previously developed land located within an Opportunity Area and Metropolitan Town Centre.
• The proposal would make a substantial contribution to the housing supply in the Borough and would help to address the Council's acute housing delivery shortages.
• The provision of 11 Discount Market Rent dwellings at London Living Rent levels is an acknowledged benefit of the scheme attracting substantial weight.
• Adequate sustainability measures would be incorporated achieving the required carbon reduction without causing harmful environmental impacts.
• Environmental matters such as air quality, contamination, noise and lighting would be acceptable subject to appropriate conditions.
• It is considered that the proposed development can be expected to have a minimal effect upon traffic conditions on the surrounding highway network in terms of network capacity, on-street parking and safety.

The report noted that the proposal fails to achieve a mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain in watercourse units, but that an off-site mitigation/compensation is proposed to appropriately manage the biodiversity impacts arising from the proposal.

The report also noted that the proposals would result in a significant, unjustified loss of office floorspace within the designated Business Improvement Area, and that the application fails the sequential test in relation to flood risk.

Objections to 1 Westmoreland Road Development

The committee received 112 objections to the 1 Westmoreland Road development, with concerns raised about:

• The height, bulk and scale of the development, with claims that it is too tall and out of character with the surrounding area.
• The impact on heritage assets, including the Grade II Listed former St Mark's School and St Mark's Church.
• The impact on local infrastructure, including GP surgeries, hospitals, schools and nurseries.
• Traffic and congestion, with concerns about parking stress and highway safety.
• Environmental impacts, including the loss of trees and increased risk of flooding.

Support for 1 Westmoreland Road Development

The committee received 86 letters of support for the 1 Westmoreland Road development, with claims that it would:

• Make use of derelict land and improve an aesthetically unpleasing building.
• Provide much needed regeneration and redevelopment to Bromley South.
• Deliver much needed housing, including affordable housing and housing for older people.
• Improve the public realm and provide green areas.
• Support the local economy.

Conditions for Approval of 1 Westmoreland Road Development

The approval of the 1 Westmoreland Road development was subject to a number of conditions, including:

• A legal agreement to secure affordable housing, carbon offsetting, and contributions towards transport and public realm improvements.
• A construction environmental management plan to minimise disruption during construction.
• A landscape and ecological management plan to ensure the protection and enhancement of biodiversity.
• A fire safety strategy to ensure the safety of future residents.

Councillor Alisa Igoe

Councillor Alisa Igoe requested that her vote in objection to the 24 - 34 Farwig Lane application be recorded.

Swift bricks

Councillor Kate Lymer declared that she was a volunteer 'Swift spotter' for RSPB Bromley. As part of the approval for the 24 - 34 Farwig Lane application, the committee agreed to update the condition to specify that at least ten Swift bricks¹ be installed.