Eco ‘flaws’ hamper town centre vision

12:03pm Monday 6th October 2008

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A FIFTEEN-YEAR vision to bring about the renaissance of Bromley town centre is being considered for public consultation.

It envisages an attractive and successful town centre making Bromley one of London's main metropolitan centres.

The draft area action plan includes renovating the high street, extending The Glades shopping centre and the building of 2,000 new homes.

But heritage group the Bromley Civic Society is concerned the plan has not reviewed how housing development will infringe on the conservation area in Tweedy Road.

This contains Bromley College, the only Grade I-Listed building in the town centre.

In August, councillors threw out an application from Broomleigh Housing Association to build 72 flats in three blocks near the college.

Civic society chairman Tony Banfield said: "We are closely monitoring the planning process and support many of its aspirations.

"But the environmental aspects of the plan are fundamentally flawed and there needs to be a radical rethink before any further versions are put to out public consultation."

The design includes taller buildings to make the area more distinct, as council planners believe recent development has not added to the character of the town centre.

A new town square is also on the cards, along with better public transport and refurbishment work at Bromley South and Bromley North railway stations.

To meet housing needs, 1,200 homes and 20,000sq m of retail floor space are earmarked to be built west of the high street.

Council leader Councillor Stephen Carr said: "We are going for public consultation again because of the changes to the earlier document, and would encourage anyone with an interest in improving the town centre to comment.

"However, it is clear we need to take action now to halt any further decline in Bromley High Street.

"The plan gives us the opportunity to bring new shops, jobs and homes to the town.

"Any changes must respect and enhance its heritage, built and natural -these are what make Bromley special."

Council portfolio holders will be making a decision at an executive meeting tomorrow night (october 7).

If approved for consultation, a final plan will be made and sent to the Government for examination by an independent planning inspector.

Final adoption of the plan would not be likely before late next year.

To find out if the council approved the draft for consultation, visit newsshopper.co.uk/news