Residents’ group back Shortlands Village conservation plan

Shortlands Residents’ Association (SRA) this week encouraged residents to respond to Bromley Council’s proposals to designate Shortlands Village as a conservation area.

The authority is currently open for public feedback on the plans, which would mean any future development or planning applications for the area would be required to either preserve or enhance the village, with an emphasis on greater sensitivity being shown to the area’s historic nature.

According to association chair Mark Dempsey, the move would prevent the unique character of the village from being lost.

“It makes very good sense to have Shortlands Village given conservation area status,” he said.

“Shortlands is a suburb many people want to move to because of its unique character, and it will be important for us and them to be sure that any future developments are sympathetic to the current street scene and preserve the village atmosphere for local residents and businesses alike.”

The association is also supporting an option in the consultation which would see the area around Queensmead and across the pedestrian bridge to Valley Road added to the existing Bromley Town Conservation Area.

The rest of the proposed area would then form the new Shortlands Village Conservation Area.

The proposals also include a recommendation to the list the Shortlands Railway Station, built as it is in 1858.

Councillors voted to proceed to public consultation on the plans at a July meeting.

The area already contains three listed buildings, consisting of the two pumping stations and the Old Cottage opposite Shortlands Station,

Shortlands Village developed like many other London suburbs following the arrival of the railway and station in the area in the mid-nineteenth century “prompting a flurry of sales of land for development” according to a council report.

Residents have until October 19 to have their say on the proposals.