An exciting opportunity to build both a new gymnastics centre and 123 new affordable homes could come forward in St Paul’s Cray, subject to confirmation of sufficient Government grant funding.
The £71m proposal being progressed by Bromley Council could see 123 affordable homes built on Chipperfield Road, alongside a new gymnastics centre, which is envisaged to be the new home for Bromley Valley Gymnastic Club. This would be the largest of the council’s ‘Bromley homes for Bromley people’ developments to date, a programme which has been providing affordable housing at sites across the borough for Bromley residents on the housing register.
The proposals are subject to confirmation of the level of Government grant funding available for the scheme, which is expected to be confirmed next Spring. Emerging proposals, which are also are subject to Planning and further consultation, would see the former school site being used to bring forward this development, with the support of both the gymnastics club and local residents having already been indicated. If proposals proceed, efforts will be made to minimise disruption to the club as the new gymnastics centre is delivered.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said: “This is a truly exciting proposal that would mean so much locally. Alongside a brand new gymnastics centre, proposals would see us provide a significant number of much-needed homes for residents on Bromley’s housing register, which would also save council taxpayers money by cutting our housing costs. I truly hope we receive the funding we need, so we can deliver this important scheme for the Cray Valley and the wider borough.”
Andrew MacDuff, Director of Bromley Valley Gymnastics Club, said: “We are so delighted about these proposals and the new centre would be a brilliant next step in our journey as a club. Gymnastics feeds into so many sports and has amazing benefits, including for promoting an active lifestyle. Hopefully many more residents will get to enjoy all these benefits in a new centre in the future.”
The £71m proposal relies on an anticipated £27.6m Government grant to Bromley to tackle housing pressures in providing temporary accommodation. The council’s Executive has approved the submission of this scheme to use Bromley’s allocated funding, with the development potentially saving council taxpayers over £36m in the long term, primarily due to the affordable housing. If sufficient grant funding is received, this would allow a Planning application to be submitted next year, with works then expected to start on site in 2027.
Further details will be announced in due course.
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk