Plans to build a ten-storey secondary school opposite Bromley South station have been rejected by councillors.

London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT) applied trying to build the new SHaW Futures Academy on the corner of Westmoreland Road and Masons Hill on the former DHSS site.

But councillors in a development control committee meeting on Wednesday (December 13) refused to let the build go ahead because of concerns about traffic and the way the building would impact on protected views Keston Ridge.

Councillor Peter Dean, who is chairman of development control committee, said: “Although we are well aware of the need for additional education uses, the proposal for education use was a departure from the current Bromley Area Action Plan policies for this site.

“The committee considered that the scale of this proposed building, with the impact on the amenity of local residents, combined with concerns about traffic and concerns about the protected views of the Keston ridge from the town centre meant that the committee decided to reject this application.”

The decision was welcomed by the SHaW School Development Bromley Action Group who were against the build.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and quite shocked really. I didn’t expect that to happen. I really thought it would be agreed. So I was ecstatic really.

“Everyone in the group was absolutely thrilled as well. We were all congratulating each other and hugging each other afterwards. It was fantastic.

“Of course, we realise this could be one battle that we have won and not the war. They could always appeal.”

More than 200 people responded to the council’s consultation about the proposal to build a new six-form entry plus Sixth Form secondary school on the former DSS site, which would have seen the existing building demolished and replaced with a taller building.

London South East Academies Trust CEO Sam Parrett said: “On behalf of all the sponsors of this school we are disappointed with the decision last night but committed to delivering this much-needed school for the young people who are the future skilled workers we need in our Heath and Wellbeing services.

“We strongly believe that the SHaW Futures Academy is an innovative urban school model which will open up many career opportunities for young people in the region, whilst securing a pipeline of skilled employees in these expanding industries for the coming years.

“London South East Academies Trust, the ESFA and our architects will now press ahead with an appeal in order for the decision to be reviewed again via the appropriate routes.”