Opposition to Churchill Quarter development

Opposition to the Churchill Quarter development is growing. Buildings will tower over the High Street and Library Gardens, casting a shadow over the latter and altering its peaceful character. We are pleased to be working with Bromley Civic Society, and others in campaigning against this proposed development.

See the before and after photos below to gain an impression of its impact – and how you can make your opinion known.

Following our leafletting campaign in September, it is clear that there is a groundswell of opposition to this development.  Many people have written to us expressing their horror at this proposal. 

Comments include:
 
●      “That LBB are considering such a proposal is appalling and horrifying in the face of the past 4 years of HUGE opposition from the public, Historic England, residents’ groups, associations, councillors, etc.This vast, ugly and overwhelming development will brutalise the character of our beautiful and historic Town Centre.”

●      “Has infrastructure been considered?

1…Oversubscribed doctors’ surgeries,
2…Oversubscribed schools.
3…Car parking
4…What effect of these vast buildings is it estimated to have on our Victorian sewerage and water systems?
5…Untold detrimental effect on wildlife.”

●      “I will be able to see this from our house in Shortlands and it is worrying that it is being proposed again.”

●      “This proposal directly flies in the face of the policy against ‘tall buildings’ which is supposed to inform planning in the town centre and be adhered to. The need is for lower rise development.”

●      “I would strongly oppose any tower blocks being built as they are unsightly, why not construct buildings no taller than existing ones? Bromley High Street has retained its charm & the park offers peace & tranquillity without having any intrusive tower blocks overlooking it.” 

●      “Whilst [I] am in favour of modernisation and development done appropriately, I am afraid to say that the proposals fall far short of this.  The significant reduction to the green spaces and creation of excessively tall buildings is something I cannot support.  If this goes ahead it will only mean a worse quality of life for Bromley residents and a degradation of the existing area.”

●      “The plans destroy the current entrance to Library Gardens.”

●      “… entirely out of keeping with the historical character of this market town and its surroundings.”

●      “All the features that single Bromley out as the fine and lovely market town that it is … would be permanently spoiled by the construction of monolithic tower blocks. The impact on and damage to the environment, the wildlife and the Conservation Area would be irreparable.”

●      “There are neither the amenities nor the infrastructure to support a high-density population that would result from these tower blocks.”

●      “How much would this development really contribute to affordable housing and meeting the housing need?”

●      “The whole design of the development would take away the character of Bromley and Bromley would not be Bromley anymore.”

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What can you do?

In advance of the opportunity to make formal objections to the planning application, you can voice your opposition by lodging your comments with Countryside Properties at: 

https://churchillquarterbromley.co.uk/contact-us/

or by email at: 

info@churchillquarterbromley.co.uk

or by telephone: 020 3929 0523

You can also raise your objections with your Ward Councillors so they understand the strength of feeling coming from the community. 

Find their email addresses here: https://bit.ly/WardCllrs

and to Bromley Council’s Leader, Cllr. Colin Smith: Colin.Smith@bromley.gov.uk

Cllr. Colin Smith
c/o Members Room
Bromley Civic Centre
Stockwell Close
Bromley
BR1 3UH

to the Assistant Director (Planning):    Tim.Horsman@bromley.gov.uk

If you do not live in Bromley, write to the Council Leader, Colin Smith, as above.

We would also appreciate it if you would kindly copy any comments you make to:  cqcampaign@bromleycivicsociety.org.uk

DO PLEASE JOIN US IN OBJECTING TO THIS DEVELOPMENT AND FIGHTING TO PRESERVE OUR UNIQUE HISTORIC TOWN

You can find out more about Library Gardens, its formation and our ongoing campaign to protect it HERE.

Churchill Quarter: Public Consultation

Please attend later this week & have your say on this high density multi-storey building development in #Bromley town centre, right next to Library Gardens. Let us know your comments on these plans.

We remain opposed to this development, in its current form with up to 14 storeys (i.e. higher than Bromley Central Library), because of its impact on the adjacent public green spaces. To see more  please go to our Library Gardens campaign page.

Plant Concern

A member of the public has expressed to the Bromley Times concerns about the planting of Ricinus communis planting (see above), which they considered is poisonous. in Library Gardens.

Idverde, in partnership with the Council, have used this plant as a bedding plant for many years as indeed many organisations do across the country, including the RHS as we understand it.  Councillor Smith’s quote below, to the Bromley Times, outlines more about how this plant is used in a Bromley context.

Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for Environment said, “This plant has been used in Bromley for many years and is used extensively as a decorative plant in many areas across the country, with the plant removed at the end of the season when the particular display is finished which is entirely normal and safe practice.   If left in situ, in common with many other bedding plants, they could grow to a substantial size, which would make it unsuitable as a bedding plant but it could also be at that stage that the plant may produce seed and this is when there may be associated risk, long after the plant has been removed as a bedding plant.”

Public Consultation.

Please note details of public consultation event, over next few days, on proposed building development and its impacts on Library Gardens (aka Church House Gardens). Your chance to have your say!

Bromley council to sell off part of park.

 

We have very recently discovered Bromley council’s intention to sell off, on a 250 year lease, parts of Library Gardens (aka Church House Gardens) to Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd. as part of their intention to build multi-storied buildings on adjacent Site G, Phase 1.This intention to sell was issued 20th June, before public consultations on Site G, Phase 1 has even started! We feel that any such proposal, if still relevant, should only be issued after the full public consultation process has taken place, if this process is to be really meaningful, and not just a ‘tick box’ exercise.

We request your urgent support. Please submit your objections to the council’s Notice of Intention to Dispose of Open Space, in writing to the following address –

David Mark Brown Director of Corporate Services, Civic Centre, Stockewell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH. 

 

The deadline for such objections is 12th July. 

We consider objections should be made on the following grounds.

• Notice of Intention to sell is premature and would prejudice the outcome of the upcoming public consultation.
• Loss of Public Open Space.
• Loss of Open Green Space.
• Loss of Urban Open Space.
• Enables development likely to be harmful to the appearance of the Conservation Area.
• Threat of loss of mature Cedar tree (next to closed toilet block) shown in proposed development area.

More information on our campaign for this park can be found on our Library Gardens campaign page,