UPDATE: New information has been discovered which has been submitted to Bromley Planning Department, as it appears that additional objections cannot now be added online. Bromley Council has confirmed that the site is green belt land and this has not changed, despite farm buildings being erected there. On the basis of the following alone, the application should be rejected:
· Outdoor sport or recreation facilities · The proportionate extension or alteration of a current structure · The replacement of a current building for the same use · Providing much-needed affordable housing None of the above points relate to the application.
11 March 2024
Chelsfield Hall Farm (Green Street Green) Consultation meeting about the proposal to build 6 residential houses on the footprint of existing farm buildings took place on Monday 11 March at The Greenwood Centre. Neal Thompson (Robinson Escott) noted and answered a number of questions - some responses provided in advance are available here. 24 local residents attended the meeting and raised concerns, mainly about impact on the green belt, surface water drainage, traffic congestion and wildlife. Mr Thompson stressed that planning policy would deem inappropriate any further development onto the green belt. The plans would reduce the current hardstanding and improve drainage with soakaways. A significant area would be returned to green, as gardens. The height of the buildings (mainly single storey) will be below that of the current large barn. The buildings would be of farm/barn-type, to fit in with the character of the Grade II listed farmhouse, which would be renovated to provide a habitable dwelling, retaining its exterior. Extensive environmental surveys had been carried out, identifying a badger sett 70m from the development (nothing can be built within 30m). There are signs of badgers foraging near the site but the application includes mitigating proposals for this, to ensure the badgers are protected. Regarding traffic congestion at the A21 roundabout end of the High Street, Mr Thompson assured the audience that highways surveys had been done by experts and the outcome was that there would not be a significant change from current vehicular movements by contractors visiting the farm and the stables. However there were some queries about what would happen about shelter for the horses which currently graze in the adjacent field, if the stables are removed. Unfortunately affordable housing requirements do not apply to developments of fewer than ten properties. The planning application is here - listed building consent here. Margot Rohan (Trustee and Secretary)
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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. The collapsible bollards were removed in - August. The Council will be re-erecting the concrete bollards at the front of the verge......sometime. 15 July 2021 - No move from Bromley Council yet.... 20 May 2021 - Latest update on the development of the former public conveniences Malekos Estates Commercial Limited finally removed the hoarding on 19 May, to reveal the extent of their encroachment on public land. The drainpipes at the front of the building also lead nowhere - except onto the forecourt, which may cause flooding during rain storms.
Unfortunately the five Council bollards on the public verge have been removed and almost the whole area has been developed, leaving only a narrow strip in front of the collapsible bollards that have been installed. However, the Association immediately alerted Bromley Council who are ‘investigating’. Hopefully they will treat this issue seriously and take firm action against this sort of encroachment on public land. Ideally the verge could be returned to its original state of greenery, consistent with its neighbours, which would be a sustainable environmental improvement. Margot Rohan Secretary and Trustee, Green Street Green Association Link to previous historical record since 2012 The Association is looking forward to being more involved with pre-school activities and community engagement in the future. May the pre-school continue successfully for another 70 years. Please visit Lilly Brook's website and 'meet' their enthusiastic and committed manager, Jenna Lindow: https://www.lillybrookchildcare.co.uk/our-team Parents wishing to register their children should email l[email protected] 4 July 2021 - Looking positive for a September continuation under new management The trustees have met with the owners of a local pre-school looking to expand with a new setting and have meetings with two other interested parties in the next couple of weeks. Negotiations will progress shortly and look very positive for the continuation of Greenwood pre-school from September. 26 June 2021 - Encouraging news We have received two enquiries about starting a new pre-school from September at the Greenwood Centre. Investigations are underway and further news will be forthcoming at the beginning of July. The Association has also submitted an application to Ofsted and is awaiting a response. Early Years at Bromley Council have been very helpful. However, it is impossible to speak to anyone at Ofsted, to enquire and check that the application is complete and will be assessed. Email enquiries have been sent but no response has been received yet. Ofsted's website states that it may take up to 25 weeks for a registration to be granted. There are a number of checks for a new registration, including an inspection of the venue. We are hoping that, as an existing pre-school location and the hope that current staff will be able to continue under new management, the process may be speeded up. One of our local councillors, Angela Page, has looked into the situation and provided some useful information. We are confident that a solution will soon be forthcoming and we will be able to allay local parents' concerns for their children's pre-school education in the future. 19 June 2021
You may be aware of the disappointing news about Connect Schools Academy Trust closing the Greenwood pre-school at the end of July 2021. We appreciate the support shown by the community in these circumstances and are adamant that the Association will find a positive solution for the future of our local children’s education at the Greenwood Centre for years to come. Mrs Sheila Wardell, now in her 90s, started the pre-school after the Greenwood Centre first opened, in 1952. It continued independently until 2017, when Connect Schools Academy Trust (Crofton Schools Academy Trust at the time) purchased it from the previous owner who wished to retire. They signed a licence to occupy the Greenwood Centre, with the Association which owns the Centre, and have given three months' notice of ending the contract, as required. Connect has never done much to advertise Greenwood pre-school, which would be easy to do, particularly with social media, such as NextDoor and Facebook. The pupil numbers were down on pre-Covid figures but the staff numbers were similarly reduced. 26 children for September is not a bad starting point, so closing does not make any sense at this time. However, there is now an opportunity for the Association to take over the management of the pre-school. This would provide security and longevity for both the school and the Association. As a charity, our purpose is to promote the provision of recreational facilities for the benefit of the community. Our constitutional objects can be expanded to include educational facilities, if agreed by the Trustees and not objected to by the Charity Commission. The Association is not looking for a profit but would need to cover costs. The Trustees are keen to ensure the continuation of the pre-school and are working hard to achieve this. The first part of an application to Ofsted has already been submitted online but, not being experienced in educational or childcare provision, we will be contacting Early Years at Bromley for further help and advice. We need to act quickly if we are to be able to open the pre-school again in September/October. If you have experience or knowledge in this area, please do get in contact. Also, if you are interested in placing any children at the pre-school or know of other parents who would be, please let us know. Complete this form and we will keep you apprised of developments. Margot Rohan Trustee and Secretary This is a project to install chalk dressed butterfly banks to support a range of butterfly species which, alongside conversion to areas of long grass/meadow nearby, will offer greater landscape connectivity. Following successes with similar installations in London Borough of Croydon, idverde was approached by London Wildlife Trust about their joint Brilliant Butterflies project with Butterfly Conservation. The London Borough of Bromley was identified as a key area which has a wide range of lepidoptera; there will be benefit from enhanced landscape connectivity to positively promote lepidoptera species and reduce their decline. idverde has arranged an on site visit with the Secretary of the Warren Road Friends and a couple of its members who are interested in the project and volunteering. Richard Gibbons, the Chair of the Green Street Green Common Friends group, has also been invited, although this group is not yet established with proper volunteer support as yet. Following the meeting a map will be added, with the proposed location for the butterfly bank. Please email if you are interested in being involved. |
Orpington Community
AuthorPosts are made by members of the Association to stimulate interest and raise local concerns Archives
December 2024
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