The Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Bellegrove Housing Development, focusing on the award of the construction contract. The committee agreed to support the recommendations outlined in the Bellegrove Housing Development - Award of Works Contract Part 1 Public Report, which included approving the award of the main construction contract and delegating authority to the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration to handle grant funding and legal documentation. A portion of the meeting was closed to the public to discuss financial details related to the contract.

Bellegrove Housing Development

The committee reviewed the Bellegrove Housing Development - Award of Works Contract Part 1 Public Report concerning the proposed Bellegrove Housing Development in St Paul's Cray. The development, which recently secured planning permission, aims to deliver 68 social housing units, with 13 designated for supported living accommodation.

A key recommendation of the report was to delegate authority to the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration to approve the submission and acceptance of grant funding for the site, as well as to execute any necessary legal documentation. The report also sought approval for the award of the main construction contract.

During the discussion, a member of the committee enquired about the timing of the contract award and its relation to funding opportunities. The Head of Regeneration, whose name is not provided in the supplied documents, clarified that awarding the contract promptly would allow the Bellegrove project to be included in the Greater London Authority's (GLA) current funding round for social housing schemes.

Another member raised the question of potentially increasing the proportion of supported living accommodation units within the development. In response, the Head of Regeneration explained that the number of units had been determined in consultation with colleagues in Adult Social Care. It was noted that supported living units are generally larger, and there was a need to balance these with general needs social housing units to maximise the efficient use of space on the site.

The committee then moved to support the recommendations outlined in the report.

The public was excluded from a portion of the meeting to allow the committee to discuss the Bellegrove Housing Development - Award of Works Contract Part 2 Exempt Report, which contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons. Following this closed session, the committee indicated their support for the recommendations outlined in the Part 2 report.

The Bellegrove Housing Development is part of the council's wider strategy, Bromley Homes for Bromley People, to increase the supply of affordable housing and reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation. The council aims to address severe housing pressures and reduce costs associated with temporary accommodation by building new, quality homes on council-owned sites.

The development will consist of two blocks, one five-story and one four-story, interconnected along Mickleham Road . The ground floor will feature 13 supported living accommodation dwellings managed by Adult Social Care, while the remaining 55 dwellings will be for general needs housing. The development will include a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units, along with a studio staff accommodation for the supported living units.

The project also includes new external works with hard and soft landscaping, public realm improvements such as a playground, external lighting, and pathways. 10% of units will be M4(3) compliant¹ across both blocks.

The council expects the Bellegrove Housing scheme to be completed in Q2 2028, with the main works contract signed and sealed in November 2025, demolition of the existing building between January and March 2026, and main construction works commencing in March/April 2026.

Ward councillors Wiffen and Price said:

We are really pleased that the Council is at the point of approval of contractors and look forward to this well needed social housing in the borough coming to life. Hopefully this process acts as good learning to significantly increase in borough social housing supply. We want to thank the team involved for their hard work and diligence in getting us to this stage. We look forward to working with the awarded contractor on their social value offer to our community as they develop our social housing and a visual asset.