Bromley (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A 19-storey tower block has been approved in Bromley town centre, marking a major step in the borough’s urban development and regeneration plans.
The 138-home plan was approved by Bromley council members eight to seven during a September 2 meeting of the council’s Development Control Committee.
The former Department of Health and Social Security office building at 1 Westmoreland Road, which has been unoccupied since 2021, will be demolished to make room for the new construction now that planning approval has been granted.
The first of the three buildings will be a 19-story skyscraper with 107 build-to-rent apartments with one or two bedrooms and some office space.
Alongside this, there will be a three-story building with more office space and a café, as well as a six-story complex with 31 specialized residences for senior citizens.
More than 200 Bromley residents responded to the planning application, and those who supported the initiative hoped that the abandoned office building would be removed to create space for something that would revitalize the town center.
They believed the site was perfect for a contemporary residential building and welcomed the extra homes.
The tower’s “intimidating” 19-story height was criticized by objectors who felt it was out of proportion to the surrounding residential districts.
Additionally, they were concerned that the newcomers will put additional strain on the community’s infrastructure, including the nearby Bromley South station and healthcare facilities.
Cllr Alexa Michael, Chairman of Bromley’s Development Control Committee, said:
“This was a finely balanced decision.
This brownfield site has long been set for redevelopment. There were clearly concerns locally with a development of this size which we have always been sympathetic to in Bromley. After listening to both the applicant and objectors, the committee members voted narrowly in favour of permission for this mixed-use development.”
Since earlier designs for the site were rejected in part because of their projected height of 10 to 12 stories, many have criticized the committee’s decision. The much taller 19-story proposals, however, have finally been approved.
In response to this, a council spokesperson said:
“When determining planning applications, height is not looked at in isolation and is considered in combination with scale, bulk and massing. This means that taller structures can in certain cases be less overbearing on local amenity than alternatives at a lower height.
While concerns around height were outlined as a factor in evaluation, the One Westmoreland Road application has considered buildings placement within the site and other factors to reduce the impact on the townscape and neighbouring amenity.”
Liberal Democrats in Bromley have condemned the approval, criticising the plans for the “excessive height” of the buildings and an “inadequate provision of affordable housing” in the scheme. Only 11 of the 107 build-to-rent homes will be affordable housing.
Lib Dem Cllr Julie Ireland said:
“I’m frankly astonished by this decision. Two previous applications for smaller towers were rightly rejected due to height and lack of affordable housing. Yet when the developers return with an even taller tower and the same inadequate housing offer, the committee waves it through.”
Cllr Ireland was also critical of the council, believing the plans had only been approved because it was failing to meet housing targets.
“This was clearly a political decision,”
she added.
“Labour councillors voted as a bloc, and several Conservatives who supported the scheme barely spoke during the meeting.
Their motivation seems driven by Bromley’s failure to meet housing targets, not by what’s right for the community.
Because of the Conservatives’ long-standing failure to deliver enough homes, residents are now paying the price—through increased pressure on infrastructure, rising costs, and missed opportunities for genuinely affordable housing.”
How does this development compare to previous Bromley projects?
This new development has 19 storeys and many existing residential blocks in Bromley were lower than that. This is evidence that the approach to development in Bromley is changing and will increase the densities of housing aimed at increasing growth in and around transport hubs like Bromley South station. The other projects are less tall and less dense by design.
This project is primarily residential and has 138 flats with an emphasis on market and intermediate rents. Previous Bromley regeneration projects contained other elements, such as commercial schemes, leisure projects and public space improvements alongside housing projects.
While 8.33% affordable housing is positive and acceptable, other prior projects aimed for a higher percentage of affordable housing, often through social housing or shared ownership, implying that there is still work to do with regard to achieving the viability coupled with the affordability targets.