While the plans for the ‘Churchill Quarter’ development has, at least for now, elapsed this local park remains under serious threat from overwhelming development. Now the threat is from the sale by Bromley Council of the Churchill Theatre and associated Central Library, and its subsequent demolition and multi-storey buildings constructed in its place. If this does happen, along with a resurrected development on the other side, this park will end up surrounded on all sides by tall blocks, creating a ‘canyon like’ feeling. It would exacerbate an existing problem where high westerly winds can at times make walking here difficult.
Bromley Council have cited this decision based on the cost of repairing their years of poor building maintenance. They propose to move the Central Library to the nearby ex Top Shop building which will require the expensive removal asbestos. The fate of our only theatre remains at threat.
We continue to work with Bromley Civic Society, and other concerned parties, to oppose of any proposals that are detrimental to this park, and instead encourage a more sympathetic development of this area.
Friends of Bromley Town Parks & Gardens 
Hallo
It must be possible to develop Ethelbert road without taking the green space. Just build a fewer number of properties.
Also is it possible to put tree preservation orders on all the trees on the areas under threat?
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The answer to your first question is yes. Greatly reducing the height of the two buildings (16 storeys?) would also help reduce shading of the park. Unfortunately the council do not put TPOs on trees on their own land – as they are safe eh!! However we will be vigorously fighting for the retention of the Cedar tree next to ‘toilet block’, and all other significant trees on this site. Your and others ongoing support is critical to this – so please let your ward councillors know your opinions. Details on how to contact them is our recent leaflet, and also via Bromley council web site.
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I am opposed to the whole idea. Apart from the fact that we don’t need any more food outlets, families need houses! I object most strongly to the development. The people of Bromley should be mindful of the fact that our green spaces are slowly being destroyed and we shall become a replica of Croydon.Is that to be celebrated? No, I don’t think so.The Council welcomes the idea of flats because the revenue that it brings in rates is more than it would be if houses were built instead. Bromley Council should be ashamed of themselves!
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While I personally sympathise with your points on local housing policy, our Friends group campaign is specifically targeted against the use of our local parks for any type of development. Currently Bromley council’s selling off of parts of this park has been put on hold, however we are very concerned that this could still happen. We are also worried that the height of these proposed buildings will totally dominate this adjacent park, and cast a deep shadow over it! We will be working with other interested parties, to try and influence the plans for these buildings, to significantly minimise its impact. I suggest that you can help fight for our parks by becoming a member of our group, as well as making your local ward councillors aware of your views.
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The maisonette are import to families and persons where access to Bromley is limited by distance. They need to stay as part of Bromley town accomodation. We do not need blocks of flats when there are empty building – like the council buildings in Widmore Road, Council/school in Westmoreland/Mason Hill. The arrival of more shops is not needed as there are many empty properties on the High Street and on the new ( but still not finished) St Marks Square. If you want high rise flats move to Croydon.
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Thank you for your comments. Communities such as in Ethelbert Close is very important. I urge you to send in your objection to this planning application. You along with others can make a difference.
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This is a bomshell, I just thought I would enjoy reading about our lovely Bromley parks and this is what I find. I am horrified.
How can I add my voice to the protest against this insanity?
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We still await the planning application for this development
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…..perhaps this is because of a takeover/merger with a larger company. However recently Bromley council have issued a draft document (SPD) that very much supports very high level buildings in this area. Please follow this website for any later developments.
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My husband and I walked this morning through the Library Gardens and what a joy it was!
Please don’t ever let any tall buildings spoil it! It’s a treasure to be preserved for future generations!
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Yes we need to appreciate it while we can. With the possible threat to the Churchill Theatre/Central Library, not to mention a resubmission of a Churchill Quarter proposal, we cannot know how much longer it will remain as it is.
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