Proposal to build 350 houses in St Mary Cray on Green Belt Land

Land Improvement Holdings are consulting with local residents about a proposal to build 350 houses in St Mary Cray. The proposals are at an early stage – they have not yet submitted a formal planning application. At this stage, we have serious concerns about the proposals partly because of the loss of green belt but also the environmental impact on what is an area liable to flood. But we’re keen to hear the views of local residents.

The outline proposal from Land Improvement Holdings is to build approximately 350 houses on farming land south of Crockenhill Road. This is green belt land. Lands Improvement also has an interest in a further 74 acres to the east which has potential for an additional 400 dwellings.

We are all well aware of the pressures facing local authorities to build more housing – there are nearly 2,000 Bromley families in temporary accommodation, a dreadful position for families to be in but also a massive cost to the Council. In addition, Bromley Council has recently had its target for new housing more than doubled by the Labour party putting added pressure on the Council to seriously consider all developers’ proposals.

The option for St. Mary Cray is a proposed development of 350 houses on the edge of an already established housing area. Not only is this green belt land it is also a much needed water drainage area. In 2021 surrounding streets and houses suffered the effects of significant rainfall after a hot and dry spell. In such conditions, the ground simply cannot absorb the water fast enough and we end up with flooding.

The damage went as far as the Nugents shopping estate. The fields of Derry Downs are part of this delicate balance, on this occasion that delicate balance failed, on many other occasions it works perfectly. We already overstretch our drainage systems when front gardens are paved over in favour of parking. An entire estate being built on fields that have such a significant environmental impact on the local area runs the risk of the scenes witnessed in 2021 becoming far more common.

The Land Improvement Holdings propose the usage of balancing ponds, a good idea and it is heartening to see that the developers have acknowledged the problem with a potential solution. The worry for us is who would thereafter be responsible for the maintenance of these balancing ponds. They require regular care especially desilting. As Councillors we have done much to ask about the care of the Boroughs many ponds, most of which have not been desilted in years leading to significant issues and extra costs. The Council are quick to say that they have no money, who will be responsible for the care of these balancing ponds?

We have other concerns too. Local school places for the families that would move into these houses. Would there be a new Doctors Surgery? Would we have new bus routes for the area, what steps would be taken to improve road access? We have a lot of questions. No one doubts that we need more housing and there is much to commend this proposal. As one of our local campaigners said, “It’s the right type of development on the wrong site”.

If you have views on this proposed development, please do share them with us – email orpington@bromleylibdems.org.uk.