Plans to convert the former Bromley Civic Centre into residential units have been rejected by Bromley Council's Plans Sub-Committee No. 1. The committee met on Thursday, 26 June 2025, to discuss the proposals, which involved converting the Stockwell Building and North Block into 128 residential units.
The developers, SLD Galliard Developments Ltd and BDL (Civic) Limited, sought prior approval for the change of use from office (Use Class E) to residential (Use Class C3) under Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015. However, planning officers recommended refusal for both applications, citing several reasons.
According to the officer's report, the buildings' lawful use was considered sui generis, meaning it didn't fall within Use Class E. The site's location within the curtilage of the Grade II listed Old Palace was another factor. Concerns were also raised about inadequate natural light for habitable rooms, insufficient waste storage, and excessive parking provision.
The Stockwell Building application, aiming for 65 residential units, received 29 objections, with concerns ranging from overdevelopment and impact on Bromley Palace Park to detrimental effects on heritage. The North Block application, proposing 63 units, faced similar objections, with 30 responses citing over-intensive development and impact on local infrastructure.
The meeting agenda also included a retrospective application for an InPost parcel locker at Chelsfield Station Car Park, which was recommended for refusal due to its inappropriate development in the green belt. Other planning applications discussed included proposals for 9 Hathaway Close, 91 Grange Road, and Manorfields, Avalon Road, with planning officers recommending permission for all three.
Minutes from the previous Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 meeting on March 6, 2025 are also available.