Bromley Council has taken action to withdraw potentially harmful permitted developments rights in key locations across the borough, through new Article 4 Directions.

The new Directions introduce a requirement for planning permission for certain types of development that were previously allowed for landowners under permitted development rights. (Permitted development means that certain types of development are allowed without the need to seek planning permission).

This news follows agreement at both Development Control Committee and Executive to use Article 4 Directions to limit permitted development rights in order to protect local amenity and character.

Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said​: “It is important that we can control the developments permitted in Bromley to protect the very character and fabric of our borough. These new Directions will be a key asset for this and will help us to ensure future developments are in line with our Local Plan policies.”

Councillor Alexa Michael, Chairman of Development Control Committee, said: “These new Article 4 Directions will ​strengthen our ability as a local planning authority to scrutinise development proposals to ensure they are fit for Bromley ​borough and do not harm local amenity. It is right that landowners be required to seek planning permission for developments covered by these Directions so the council can carefully examine proposals​. ​Certain types of proposal, if left unchecked, could have a detrimental effect on local communities and conservation areas across the borough.”

The first set of Directions withdraws permitted development rights which allow upwards extensions of up to two storeys on certain residential properties. These permitted development rights have been withdrawn in 16 specific areas across the borough where there is a significant risk of adverse impacts on local character and distinctiveness. This includes Areas of Special Residential Character which are identified in the Bromley Local Plan.

The second set of Directions withdraws permitted development rights in 18 locations for the demolition of detached office buildings and their replacement with residential units. ​There is a real risk that the Bromley borough will lose essential office and other industrial space that is necessary for jobs and wealth creation. Landowners in these locations must now seek planning permission for such a development. The areas included are of strategic importance for the retention and promotion of offices and industrial buildings, as outlined by the Local Plan. ​

The third set of Directions withdraw the permitted development rights for homes to convert to houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), which is now in effect for Biggin Hill and Darwin Wards and from September 2022 will cover the entire borough. This Direction requires landowners to seek planning permission for converting a property to a HMO, which is being introduced to protect local amenity across the borough.

ENDS  

Editors’ Notes:

The Article 4 Directions relating to upwards extensions of residential properties affects parts of the following Wards: Bickley, Bromley Common and Keston, Bromley Town, Chelsfield and Pratts Bottom, Chislehurst, Clock House, Copers Cope, Hayes and Coney Hall, Kelsey and Eden Park, Petts Wood and Knoll, and Shortlands.

The Article 4 Directions relating to the demolition of offices for replacement with residential units affects parts of the following Wards: Bromley Common and Keston, Bromley Town, Copers Cope, Cray Valley East, Cray Valley West, Darwin, Kelsey and Eden Park, Orpington, Penge and Cator, and Plaistow and Sundridge.

For more information in Article 4 Directions, visit the council website www.bromley.gov.uk/info/200074/planning/923/permitted_development

For exact locations included in the Directions, see this interactive map 

For media enquiries, please contact James George, Public Affairs, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk 

Published: 23rd March 2022