More than 5,000 people have swiftly signed a petition opposing Berkeley’s proposal to construct around 2,000 homes on green belt land in Bromley, highlighting deep community concerns about the development’s environmental and social impact. The petition came together within just five days, reflecting widespread local resistance to what residents fear would be an irreversible alteration to one of London’s greenest boroughs.
Berkeley’s Ravensbourne Place project claims it will provide 50% affordable housing alongside new parks, orchards, and enhanced walking and cycling links. The developer argues that the site, despite being on green belt land, qualifies under the government’s recently introduced “grey belt” policy, designed to allow some development on previously protected land to address housing shortages. According to the company’s statements, the project also includes an Environmental Impact Assessment to identify and mitigate major environmental concerns as part of their planning application.
Nevertheless, local residents and campaigners challenge these assertions, warning the development poses a serious threat to Bromley’s environment and community character. They fear the loss of vital green space that serves as a refuge for wildlife and grazing horses and foresee increased pressures on local infrastructure, including schools and roads. The green belt land behind Bromley Football Club, part of the site in question, is particularly cherished as a sanctuary for wildlife and a place of personal importance for many residents who stable horses there.
The community opposition is part of a broader campaign to protect Bromley’s green spaces. Peter Fortune MP has highlighted that over half of Bromley remains green belt land and about a third is farmland, making it one of the most verdant areas in London. He warns that planning reforms risk approving unsustainable urban sprawl, urging residents to help preserve these open spaces. Despite overwhelming opposition, such as one petition where 95.3% of local residents voted against a similar development, developers like Berkeley have appealed to higher authorities, sometimes succeeding in overturning local decisions.
This local challenge mirrors national concerns about the loss of green belt and greenfield sites. A government petition calls for a ban on such developments, citing the environmental harm from carbon release and habitat loss, as well as adverse community effects from reduced green space. Critics argue that once green belt land is developed, the environmental damage and community disruption are often permanent.
As the Ravensbourne Place project awaits planning permission, the debate encapsulates a broader conflict between the urgent need to address housing shortages and the imperative to protect green spaces that provide critical environmental, recreational, and cultural value. The outcome will likely set significant precedents for how London’s green belt areas are treated under evolving government policies.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1], [2] (Evening Standard) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 6
- [3] (Change.org petition) - Paragraph 3
- [4] (The Petition Site) - Paragraph 4
- [5] (UK Government petition) - Paragraph 5
- [6] (Peter Fortune MP campaign) - Paragraph 4
- [7] (Ravensbourne Place FAQs) - Paragraph 2
Source: Noah Wire Services