What is the Local Plan?
A Local Plan sets out the vision for future development in the borough. Every area in England and Wales should have an up-to-date Local Plan in place and review it at least every five years.
Local Plans are used to help decide on planning applications and other planning related decisions. In effect, they are the local guide to what can be built where, shaping infrastructure investments and determining the future pattern of development in the borough.
The review of the Local Plan
The Bromley Local Plan was adopted in January 2019. The Local Plan includes policies covering a range of areas, including housing, employment, sustainability and community uses. There are also a number of site allocations which identify particular sites to be developed for a type and amount of uses to meet objectively assessed need and help to deliver the borough’s economic, environmental and social objectives.
Local Plans should be reviewed every five years in accordance with planning legislation. Since the Local Plan was adopted, there have been changes to national and regional policy. This includes the adoption of the new London Plan which has higher housing targets and various other policies which have implications for Bromley’s local planning policies.
How is the plan reviewed?
Bromley have now started to consult regarding the Local Plan. The consultation started on the 28th April and will end on the 30th June. The council is consulting on a document called
Regulation 18 Issues and Options Document
This document looks at the current policies in relation to a range of topics including how future housing needs should be met, where should future housing be placed, local infrastructure, green issues, greenbelt, town centres, night time economy etc.
The document includes a number of questions for each topic area, to help individuals formulate their responses to these questions. However individuals are not required to address these questions in their response to this consultation.
Who is allowed to respond to this consultation?
Anyone can respond to this consultation. You do not need to live in Bromley or even live locally. Developers often partake in these consultations as do estate agents and construction firms who may have a vested interest in Bromley’s future policies surrounding areas to be designated for housing developments. This means it is very important that Bromley residents also make sure their views are lodged and known.
How can I engage in this consultation?
There are effectively three ways that you can take part in the consultation.
Survey Monkey This survey is lengthy with 47 questions. You do not however have to answer all the questions. These question address all policy areas.
In writing to: Head of Planning Policy and Strategy, London Borough of Bromley, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH.
What should I do if I feel overwhelmed by the size of the Monkey Survey or do not know where to start?
No one is required to address all issues. You may just want to e mail the Council and advise them what you want for your local area and/ or the Borough.
NttW have looked at the questions posed in the Monkey Survey and identified the questions that relate most closely to the issues that we as a Campaign Group concerned ourselves with when opposing the Areli planning application.
Question 1 What do you think are the key issues that should be reflected in the new Local Plan, Vision and Objectives?
Question 6 Where should new housing be focussed in the Borough in order to meet housing need?
Question 7 Is there a particular form of housing development that you feel is appropriate to facilitate the delivery of extra housing in the Borough eg through development of taller buildings: delivery from smaller sites ( less than 25 hectares) or infill development?
Question 11 What size of new homes do you think should be prioritised?
Question 19 What are your thoughts on existing town centres in Bromley? What aspects of these centres do you value most and what could be improved in these centres?
Question 20 What are your views on diversifying town centres to broaden their roles eg introducing uses such as residential and expanding cultural and night time economy uses?
Question 24 Do you think the Council should identify suitable locations for tall buildings? Are there any where you think tall buildings would be suitable or unsuitable?
Question 33 Do you agree that the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open land should continue to be strongly protected? If not why do you think protection should be relaxed eg to facilitate new housing and employment uses, or to meet other development needs?
You could should you choose e mail the Council answering these questions or some of them. Good luck in your efforts!
Alternatively if you want to see all the questions please access the Monkey Survey link above.