Green belt laws ‘QUASHED’ for homes go-ahead

28 November 2007

THE government has been accused of snubbing the council to give the green light on the largest ever housing development in the borough.

Leader of Bromley council, Stephen Carr, said he is 'horrified' that the massive property development on Blue Circle sports ground, Bromley Common, has been given the go ahead.

He said that the approved Asprey Homes development on 34 acres of green belt land, flies in the face of what the public want. A battle between Bromley council and the developer, who wish to build 300 affordable houses, has been effectively running since 2003.

The latest argument broke out after the government's planning appeals committee weighed in favour of Asprey Homes last Friday.

Mr Carr said: "We are absolutely horrified by this government decision and I know that people will be appalled too; we are currently considering lodging an appeal. Local opinions have once again been ignored and this will change the area forever. It gives lie to the government's claim that it believes in returning powers and democracy to elected councils.

"It is further proof of their determination to build inner London higher densities across Bromley's green open spaces.

"There is no doubt that this is a strategic site for the whole borough and once built upon, the damage to green belt is permanent. Now, we must focus and fight to protect the rest of our green belt."

Chairman of the council's development control committee, Gordon Jenkins, said that the move was a "hammer blow of a decision".

He added: "We have been overruled by a government who do not seem to attach the same importance to green belt and resident's opinion as we do. Now, the largest housing application this borough has ever witnessed will take away 34 acres of our green belt land."

The Blue Circle land is one mile south of Bromley town centre and runs along the east side of Bromley Common.

MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, Bob Neill said: "This decision sets a very bad precedent. It is quite wrong for an unelected government inspector, like the Planning Inspectorate to be able to overrule the views of people and their representatives in this way. We must change the planning system by making it more accountable."

However, managing director of Asprey Homes, Philip Langford, said that the decision was based on Bromley council's inability to deal with the historic housing shortfall.

He said: "Last year Bromley only managed to achieve 50 per cent of their own targets for affordable homes, 90 units.

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"If you stopped anyone on the street and asked them whether they knew that this is green belt land and what role it fulfils they would probably say no. But only last month there were gypsy travellers on the site causing mischief and mayhem for residents.

"There has been inappropriate development all across Bromley that has caused residents far more concern, where blocks of flats have been put in people's back gardens.

"Releasing this land for housing will release the pressure to approve other, less popular applications."

A spokesman for Department for Communities and Local Government said that they were unable to comment on decisions by the Planning Inspectorate.