Bromley Town, Shortlands and Copers Cope wards

Report HPR2021/023

The Executive considered a proposal to designate a Shortlands Village Conservation Area, and to extend the Bromley Town Centre conservation Area. The proposed boundaries had been informed by an independent assessment and were subject to public consultation between August and October 2020. Details of the representations received, and how these were addressed, were set out in the report. The Built Environment Advisory Management Services (BEAMS) report was also considered by Members.

Councillor Mary Cooke attended the meeting as ward Councillor for Shortlands. She described how there had been considerable lobbying and debate on the proposals, particularly on the issue of whether Shortlands Golf Club should be included within the new conservation area. The Golf Club argued strongly that they should be excluded, but other groups, including the Shortlands Residents Association, the Ravensbourne Valley Residents Association and the Bromley Civic Society were in favour of the proposed boundary.

The Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, Councillor Peter Morgan, reassured the Golf Club that the conservation area would not harm their interests, or prevent them from rebuilding their clubhouse, for example. Agreeing a land management plan would address any concerns about additional bureaucracy regarding management of trees on their course. 

The report had been considered by Development Control Committee on 20^th May 2021 and scrutinised by the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee on 16^th June 2021. Both Committees supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED that the designation of the Shortlands Village Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 1) and the extension of the Bromley Town Centre Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 2) be approved.

Report HPR2021/023

Members considered the designation of the Shortlands Village Conservation Area and an extension of the Bromley Town Centre Conservation Area. The proposed boundaries were informed by an independent assessment and were subject to public consultation between August and October 2020. Details of the representations received and how they had been addressed were set out in the report. The report had already been considered by Development Control Committee, which had supported the proposals, including the Golf Course within the proposed Shortlands Conservation Area.

Councillor Mary Cooke addressed the meeting as ward member for Shortlands, expressing the view that the Golf Club should not be included within the Conservation Area. She considered that the Golf Club was well-run and maintained its land responsibly, and there was no benefit for including it in the Conservation Area.

The Chairman invited Professor Bernard Williams to address the Committee on behalf of the Golf Club. He stated that being in a Conservation Area would impose additional burdens and bureaucracy on the club, which would have to apply for permission each time it needed to carry out work on any of its trees. The land was private with no public access, it was well-maintained and the Metropolitan Open Land designation gave a high level of protection from development.

Officers confirmed that a rolling five year management plan could be agreed covering all trees on the Golf Course – a similar arrangement was already in place at Langley park Golf Course. The benefits of including the Golf Course were set out in the report – although the course was well-maintained at present it was impossible to know if less responsible owners might take over at some point in future. If a replacement club house was sought, being in a Conservation Area would ensure that a replacement building was to a high standard of design and amenity.  

RESOLVED: That the Executive be recommended to approve the designation of the Shortlands Village Conservation Area and the extension of the Bromley Town Centre Conservation Area as recommended.

Report HPR2021/023

Members considered the designation of the Shortlands Village Conservation Area and an extension of the Bromley Town Centre Conservation Area. The proposed boundaries were informed by an independent assessment and were subject to public consultation between August and October 2020. Details of the representations received and how they had been addressed were set out in the report.

The Chairman was happy to accept the report and moved acceptance of the recommendations therein. This was seconded by Councillor Terry who drew Members’ attention to the e-mail sent from Ward Member Councillor Dykes in support of the proposals.

RESOLVED that:-

1  the designation of the Shortlands Village Conservation Area and the extension of the Bromley Town Centre Conservation Area be endorsed;

2  the matter be referred to the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee for pre-decision scrutiny; and

3  recommend that the Executive approve the designation of the Shortlands Village Conservation Area and the extension of the Bromley Town Centre Conservation Area.