|
PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW  You can search the articles on this blog page by selecting a month or a category, on the righthand side, if you scroll down. This page is for you to let us know your thoughts on anything else which is not a blog article (where you can comment directly), about: - articles on the website - what you think of the website (please keep it clean!) - what else you would like to see on the website - improvements - please suggest things which would make navigation of the site easier
0 Comments
Cllr Mike Botting reports following the meeting Last night I attended a meeting at Halstead Village hall hosted by the Halstead Parish Council to discuss the latest application for the proposed development of the former Broke Hill Golf course into a housing estate of 660 dwellings, a retirement village and care home of 150 units, a primary school and other local amenities. It does not however include at this time access to doctors, dentists or hospitals.
To date I have only met one person in Chelsfield Ward and none in Halstead who are in favour of this proposal, if you stand at the entrance to Broke hill and look left, at the top of the road you will see the beginning of our Ward, Chelsfield. As discussed last night the majority of people leaving this proposed estate will exit left to travel into Chelsfield, Green Street Green and Orpington to access medical services, shops, cafes, fuel, hairdressers, pharmacies etc. Not to mention if anyone is in need of hospital services, emergency or planned the PRUH is obviously the closest to this proposed development. Last night we were informed that even the supply of water by the local water company is in question. Transport to and from the estate is also a difficulty, as already mentioned the majority of vehicular traffic will exit left into our ward causing potentially massive overcrowding on our already busy roads. During the development large construction vehicles' will also be using our roads. Knockholt Station which is actually in Chelsfield ward is currently incapable of dealing with a large increase in footfall and interestingly only provides access to passengers who are physically impaired travelling into London. If wheelchair users return to the station, there is no exit for them other than a footbridge, and they will have to travel to Sevenoaks and travel back again to Knockholt to exit the station. This is the nearest station to the proposed 150-unit Retirement and care home therefore preventing many residents travelling into London and returning back to the station or indeed travelling into Sevenoaks and beyond. There are currently no plans to develop the station to increase footfall and access. There are many other issues which in my opinion make this development totally inappropriate, the obvious major one is the development of a green belt site which we all know that once built on is gone forever. For further information please go to the Halstead Parish Council website at. https://halsteadparishcouncil.gov.uk and scroll down on their front page to 'We need you to fight for the green belt' where information on the proposals are shown. Should you wish to comment on this planning application please go to the Sevenoaks district Council website where over 1200 documents are shown for information or directly to [email protected]. The reference for this application is 25/02129/OUT This email for your information and action as you feel appropriate. We were informed last night that the closing date for comments was 14th May 2026, however I know that Bromley Council have been given a submission cut off for next week so the sooner you comment the better. A request was made last night that should you make a comment that you refer to where you actually live and the implications for you personally as well as any general comments. I know that when I gave evidence at the last public enquiry into the previous application in Sevenoaks a few years ago the planning inspector was very open to hear all matters however small so potentially no comment is wasted. I finish with a comment by Sir Norman Foster, perhaps one of our greatest architects who said; "I am a passionate advocate for the Green Belt. I think it is one of our greatest inventions. And it has become a political football. It should't be eroded, if anything it should be growing". A reminder that our 37th Green Street Green Village 'Community Litter Pick & Gardening' session is on Saturday 4th October 2025, meeting as usual at the benches by the Village Sign near the mini-roundabout at 10:00 am.
Please join in if you are able, and help keep our village clean and tidy. It is recommended that you bring your own gloves, dress for the weather, and wear suitable footwear. As well as picking up litter and detritus along and around the High Street, the shrub beds near the Village Sign always need tidying if anyone would like to join me tending the beds. Also a reminder that Veolia - Bromley Council's street cleaning contractor - who provides litter pickers and purple sacks for our litter picks, has asked that we all register as 'Street Friends' for insurance purposes if not done so already. There's more information and a simple form to fill in on the Bromley Council website, here. As a registered 'Street Friend' you may request your own litter picker and supply of purple sacks by calling 0203 567 4095. Richard Gibbons Friends of Green Street Green Linktree Community action for a greener, cleaner, healthier and safer Green Street Green  Artist's impression of street scene with Warrior House proposal for 2-storey residence  copyright: GoogleEarth The No.2 High Street application is still awaiting decision, although the target date was the end of July. See full details here.
The street trees give no protection from overlooking for no.1 Manitoba Gardens and there is virtually no outside amenity space, as can be seen on the left. This aerial view shows the footprint of Warrior House. The houses at the bottom are 1-3 Manitoba Gardens. The Association has submitted objections which can be viewed here.  GOOD NEWS INCOMING!!! So it's been a while since we were about to share some positive news! We have managed to potentially secure some new land. The final details are in process and we need to do a lot of fencing etc but it's looking like we have been given an opportunity we can't refuse! Now the hard work and fundraising really starts! The rent is a lot more than what we have been paying (we have been super lucky currently) so we now need to find extra money per month! We are going to need to pay for a few months in advance as well as paying for all of our fencing. Thankfully we have some posts we can take with us but it wont be enough so will definitely be needing more! If you have been holding out to help then now is the time! We need your support now more than ever... We are also reaching out for and fencing/construction companies that want to make a difference and chose us for a charity day! If your company warrants a charity day and ylu and your team are hands on with fencing we want to hear from you ASAP! We have been plodding along with vet bills and essential care, last week was super expensive with Arabella's vet bills and removal costs so we are litterally holding on in there... now we need every penny spare! Can you spare a pound or two? With our 15k supporters if everyone donated £1 each we could pay our new rent for the upcoming months ! If everyone donated £2 we could pay towards are rent and our fence posts.... Come on everyone! Let's do this! 25 April 2025 See the appeal below: If anyone can help or knows of a suitable location for this worthwhile charity, please get in touch: Tel: 07741 116406 Email: [email protected] Websire: SafeHavenAnimalRescue.co.uk   This time of the year there are a lot of fox cubs about. Normally they are cared for by the vixen, but from time to time they are abandoned. Foal Farm at Biggin Hill do not take cubs but steer people in the direction of the Fox Project. Their warden will usually arrive within the hour to take charge of the situation with an excellent outcome.
Highly recommended! Visit the website: The Fox Project Address: The Lodge, Kings Toll Road Tunbridge Wells TN2 4BE Admin enquiries: 01892 824111 Emergency Number: 01892 731565 (only to be used when a sick or injured animal is found  One of the Trustees, Margot Rohan, and the Village Society Planning Secretary, Tamara Galloway, visited Brightwater Memorial Park on 31 January and were shown around by the owners, Jackie and Bill Heasman. They have plans to use the land surrounding the mausoleum (building for the interment of human remains - either bodies or cremated ashes) for the creation of memorial gardens and the interment of ashes.
Their proposal is to have five memorial gardens (e.g. a rose garden, a mediterranean garden (with olive trees), a children's garden) where cremated ashes can be either buried or above ground in urns, with identifying plaques. This will offer another alternative to families looking for a different way to commemorate their deceased loved ones. Brightwater is quite unique in the UK, offering above ground burial, although demand for mausolea has risen substantially in the last decade. Bill Heasman is keen for local residents to understand their vision and encourages anyone who would like to be shown around Brightwater to get in contact to arrange a visit: Tel: 01689 850880 or email: [email protected]  In 1955, I attended Vine Road Nursery School in GSG near the Royal Oak pub. The building was known as 'The Old School House' which was built in 1851. It still has this on the gate. In 2025 the building was used by iCare, Stroke Rehabilitation Day Centre until 2023 but is now empty for letting to a new tenant. 1956-1961 I attended Vine Road Infants School in Vine Road, GSG. I went back there in 2011 to the school (50 years since leaving!). The headmaster showed me around. My old classrooms were still there although the school had expanded quite a bit. I took copies of photos I had of my 1961 Class with teacher Mrs Gerelli, also a photo of our school football team. (Our football team was unbeaten against other schools). The headmaster produced a book that somebody had written, about the history of the school. Lo and behold the photo of our Class was in the book! I now have a copy of the book 'The Story of Green Street Green School 1851-1991 by Patricia Holmes.
I used to attend cubs at Vine Road school and achieved over 20 badges and was a Sixer. I lived in Daleside and, at that time, there wasn't a road between Vine Road and Windsor Drive but just a very narrow alley between high hedges. Either side were small orchards. (Waring Drive etc didn't exist in those days) There was just one gas lamp in the middle of the alley and many a time it wasn't working. It was very scary in the dark, so I used to run like hell up/down the alley. Eventually the gas lamp was replaced by an electric lamp. After school we used to go scrumping in these orchards. We also used to go to the sweet shop in the High Street (Tullet's rings a bell but maybe I’m wrong?). I used to get Walls Ice cream put into a soda drink and absolutely loved them. I would buy 4 for a penny Shrimps, Black Jacks, Fruit Salad, Foam bananas. Also Sherbet dips, Love Hearts, Liquorice, Rhubarb & Custard sweets, American Hard gums, Parma Violets, Fizzers etc. Vine Road School - Class of 1961-62  I delivered meat on a very heavy robust bike for the butcher in GSG - I can't remember the name offhand. I had to cycle up Cudham Lane to one customer. By the time I got there, I was absolutely knackered! I always got a 6d tip though. After primary school I went to Charterhouse Secondary Modern which is now a very large housing estate. Simon Fisher Vine Road School teachers  If anyone knows the missing names, please let us know.  We are excited to announce a new Set Ready Film & TV Training course on the 17th-18th of September 2024 which will be open to South London residents including Southwark, Bromley, Bexley and Croydon. It is completely free of charge and there is no requirement for previous industry experience, however, all applicants must be 18 years old or over, and be residents of Southwark, Bromley, Bexley or Croydon. The two-day training programme is designed to equip new entrants with the foundational knowledge, skills and confidence required to work as a Location Marshal on a large-scale film or TV production. The course, led by expert industry professionals, will provide the essential skills to jumpstart a career in the creative industries. Upon completing the course, Set Ready will offer a paid Location Marshal placement on a large-scale film or high-end TV set in London. If you are interested and want more information, visit the website: setready.co.uk or complete the application form. Sandra Perez Escudero Operations Officer FILMFIXER Direct Dial: 020 3887 6857 | Switchboard: 020 7620 0391 | 24-hour Emergency Number: 07919 002 115 Address: FilmFixer Ltd., Unit C, 57-59 Great Suffolk Street, London, SE1 0BB   Warrior House (next door to Greenwood Centre) has applied for vehicular access again (previously rejected by LBB in 2022), which would destroy the green verge replaced by LBB last year and would be in contravention of Road Traffic regulations, being within the hazard markings for the pedestrian crossing. The planning application can be viewed here: Dropped Kerb application GSGA objection submitted - deadline for comments is 23 July 2024. WARRIOR HOUSE LAND GRAB - COUNCIL RECLAIMED! 14/10/23 LBB has finally reclaimed their verge and reinstated the bollards which were removed by the owner of Warrior House.
After two years of constant nudging by the Association and local residents, the Council has made good their promise to reclaim the verge. |
Orpington Community
AuthorPosts are made by members of the Association to stimulate interest and raise local concerns Archives
January 2027
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
