Issue - meetings

Report DRR19/005

The Committee considered an update on progress achieved in delivering the Town Centres Development and Growth Programme.

With regard to Bromley town centre, work on Site G: West of the High Street continued to progress.  Countryside Properties had submitted the planning application in respect of their scheme and this was currently under consideration by the Council’s Development Management Team with the expectation that the application would be ready for consideration by the Development Control Committee in early February 2019.  Phase 2 of the Public Realm Improvements in the High Street had now commenced with new lighting columns, granite paving and two raised planters being installed, and the market had relocated to the northern end of the High Street.  Following approval by the Council’s Executive on 17^th October 2018, Officers were progressing the procurement of two commercial units/shops and two pairs of market kiosks on Market Square with planning applications submitted in January 2019. 

The Town Centres Development Programme continued to be progressed in other town centres across the Borough.  The improvement works in Beckenham High Street had been substantially completed.  A series of additional works involving the installation of granite planters at Kelsey Square and Village Way and a feature Odeon bench would be undertaken in early 2019.  On 1^st December 2018, a formal celebration of the improvement works had been held on Beckenham Green.  Improvement works to Penge High Street were now completed and a Shopfront improvement project was underway and would be completed in March 2019.  A bid to the GLA Good Growth Fund submitted in September 2018 to deliver a programme of events and further shopfront improvements in Penge town centre had been unsuccessful and Officers were seeking feedback from the Greater London Authority regarding this outcome.

In considering the report, a Member noted that carriageway works at High Street/Elmfield Road would require a full road closure for 6-8 weeks and queried how this would affect local bus routes.  The Head of Renewal reported that the Local Authority continued to negotiate with Transport for London around how bus services would be maintained during this period.  The Director: Regeneration confirmed that the Design Team continued to examine the design and delivery options for the mirrored canopies in Bromley town centre and details of any revisions would be brought to the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee. 

Councillor Julian Benington expressed his personal thanks to the Head of Renewal who would shortly be leaving the Local Authority.  The Chairman also led the Committee in offering their thanks to the Head of Renewal for his excellent work for the Local Authority over a number of years.

RESOLVED that the progress achieved in delivering the Town Centres Development and Growth Programme be noted.