Bromley Council's Plans Sub-Committee No. 2 has approved plans for a new children's home, which will provide care for up to four children aged between 12 and 16 years old. The decision, made on Thursday, July 16, 2026, grants permission for a change of use at 1A Forde House, Forde Avenue, Bromley, BR1 3EU, to convert the property into a four-bedroom facility.
The approval is subject to a legal agreement, which will include a Bromley Council Social Services Referral.
Officers consider these obligations to be necessary, directly related to the development, and fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind, aligning with government guidance. The applicant has agreed in principle to the proposed heads of term, which will be detailed in a Section 106 legal agreement.
The proposal aims to address a recognised need for children's care home spaces within the borough. The Head of Services for Children and Young People has confirmed the ongoing demand for such facilities. The children placed in the home are expected to have emotional and behavioural difficulties, be highly functioning, have learning disabilities, or mild autism. They will attend local secondary schools or specialist tuition, with encouragement to use walking or public transport where possible, only being taken by car on specific occasions depending on their needs.
Concerns raised by local residents regarding highway safety, parking, and noise have been addressed. The Council's Highways Officer has advised that the site offers adequate on-site car parking, manoeuvring space, and access, with no significant increase in trip generation anticipated. A condition for a Management Plan, to be approved prior to occupation, will also include specific parking arrangements.
Regarding noise, the report indicates that the intensity of use will be similar to a single-family household, and noise levels are not expected to be significantly greater than those of a family living in the property. The Management Plan will also incorporate noise control measures.
The children's home is planned to accommodate up to four children, with staffing including three care staff working 8am-8pm daily, a manager working weekdays 9am-5pm, and two care staff on waking night shifts (8pm-8am). Managers will be on call for emergencies. The total number of staff on site will not exceed four at any one time, except during shift changes.
The development will be subject to Ofsted registration, a rigorous process that assesses site management, security, and staff-to-resident ratios. The suitability of the property and location for placing a child will be a matter for the placing authority.
While local concerns have been raised about access to services, public transport, and local amenities, the report concludes that the change of use aligns with Policy 11 of the Bromley Local Plan and Policy H12 of the London Plan, which support additional provision for children's care. The officer noted that there is no reason why a children's home would have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the building compared to a large family dwelling.
Read the full public reports pack for the meeting here: Public reports pack Thursday 16 July 2026