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Some Bromley residents have labelled plans to build 2,200 homes on green belt land in the middle of the borough “evil” and an “awful culture destroying project”.
One objector said the proposal for land between Bromley and Hayes made them feel “physically sick” but supporters welcome the provision of over 1,000 affordable homes for the borough’s residents.
Berkeley Homes first revealed its plans to build the large residential development on land surrounding Norman Park and Bromley Football Club, much of which is currently taken up by horse paddocks, last year, sparking a strong public backlash.
The developer lodged a planning application for its controversial Ravensbourne Place project with Bromley Council at the beginning of June. The full planning application has been visible to Bromley residents for a little over a month now and nearly 2,000 of them have had their say already, the vast majority lodging objections.
The large housing development has prompted strong reactions from Bromley residents. One objector who has lived in Hayes for over 35 years said they felt “completely overwhelmed and physically sick” when they first heard about the proposal.
A CGI of the planned homesBerkeley HomesAnother described the scheme as an “awful culture destroying project” while others have said it would make local people’s lives “even more of a misery”. One objector simply wrote: “Do not do this. You know it’s wrong.”
One Bromley resident who lives adjacent to the development site said Ravensbourne Place would be “a horrendous and evil destruction of our Bromley Borough prime green belt land” and announced their intention to “take Berkeley to court and sue for a colossal sum of money” if the homes get approved.
Those opposed to the Ravensbourne Place project typically focus on two central issues. They do want to see Bromley’s green belt built on and they fear an additional 2,200 homes and the influx of new residents will put a great strain on existing infrastructure.
One objector, passionate about local flora and fauna, said: “The Hayes Farm site is an oasis for both resident and migratory wildlife. Red kites, buzzards, badgers, foxes, owls and large flocks of migratory geese are regular visitors to the site.
“Wildlife photographers often visit the area to photograph the impressive butterfly and moth population. The mix of grassland, woodland, scrub, water, provides a varied ecological environment that is highly valued by the local community.
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“It is scandalous that such an historic and environmentally important area of designated green belt land is being considered for redevelopment when there are still many brownfield development sites with development potential sitting unused within the borough of Bromley.”
The Ravensbourne Place masterplanBerkeley HomesOther residents also do want the green belt built on because of the benefits it brings to people and the environment. One said: “There is a serious lack of green spaces for leisure and relaxation for residents and the concreting over of green belt land will contribute to the impact of climate change.
“We are on our third heatwave this summer and climate scientists state this is the new normal. Green belt land should never be built on especially for profit at the expense of the health and wellbeing of local people.”
One objector was concerned Hayes would not cope with all the new homes because it was not “a city”. They said: “It does not have the resources, infrastructure or range of services needed to support such a large number of new residents, or a gargantuan new build such as the one proposed.
“My biggest concern is that such a huge project on this scale would create an unachievable strain on such services as water, sewage, electricity supply and council services.
“Even if the infrastructure and services massively expanded to meet the requirements of such a proposed project, the distress, disruption and stress caused to current residents’ daily lives would be incalculable.”
Traffic congestion is another concern. An objector wrote: “Hayes has always been a semi-rural village with limited capacity to develop. Both the Hayes Lane and Bromley Common sides are very busy roads at all times, but considerably worse during rush hour.
The current site in BromleyLDRS“Hayes Lane is exactly that: just a lane, which struggles to cope with the volume of traffic it sees on a daily basis as it is. And when Bromley FC is playing it is virtually impossible to drive down there! So how is it expected to cope with this inevitable surge of additional car users in the area?”
Although public reaction to the plans has been overwhelmingly negative, Ravensbourne Place does have its advocates. Around 80 residents have written in to express their support for the housing project.
Supporters believe housing is desperately needed in Bromley, and favour the scheme’s focus on family homes and low-rise apartment blocks over high-rise towers. Half of the 2,200 homes will be affordable, another aspect of the project those wishing to get on the property ladder have welcomed.
One supporter wrote: “Me and my family have lived in Bromley for over six years. Currently still renting, but looking forward to this development. We love the borough and would love to buy a property in Bromley. This opportunity could help us to stay local and afford a mortgage.”
Another said: “Housing supply in Bromley is desperately needed. People in their 20s to 40s are struggling to stay in the borough due to a lack of affordable homes.
“It is essential that the scheme retains the promise of 50 per cent affordable homes—including affordable rent, social rent, share ownership—as well as private sale. The scheme looks to be well thought through and has my support.”