Bromley Council's Executive has approved an increase of £363,123 to the budget for the Keston Ponds Project, bringing the total project budget to £611,976. This supplementary capital estimate has been secured through the Green Roots Fund and will support the initial phase of works aimed at restoring and enhancing the Keston Ponds site.
The project's objectives are multifaceted, focusing on improving water quality through nature-based solutions, reinstating natural hydrological processes, enhancing ecological resilience, and improving public access and understanding of the site's ecological and historic significance.
Specifically, the project aims to improve water quality by implementing nature-based solutions. Ecological resilience will be bolstered by restoring and extending high-quality wetland, riparian, and freshwater habitats, alongside reinstating natural hydrological processes within the ponds and the River Ravensbourne. Public access and understanding will be enhanced by highlighting the site's ecological and historic significance.
The Keston Ponds Project is part of a wider programme of water-environment restoration along the River Ravensbourne. The potential environmental benefits expected from this broader initiative include the restoration and enhancement of water quality, the reinstatement of natural hydrological processes, and the improvement of ecological resilience through habitat restoration.
Councillor Josh Coldspring-White, Portfolio Holder for Environment, has been delegated authority to award the works contract, which is valued at up to £2.5 million. This delegation is contingent upon a compliant procurement process and the tender remaining within the approved budget cap. The initial phase of works is planned for delivery in phases aligned to external funding opportunities and ecological working windows. The procurement timetable is driven by grant conditions and seasonal ecological constraints, requiring a contract award by September 2026. Further details on the project can be found in the Public reports pack for the Executive meeting on Wednesday 24 June 2026 Public reports pack Wednesday 24-Jun-2026 19.00 Executive.pdf.
