A plan by David Lloyd leisure clubs to expand its car park in Beckenham has split the town, with more than 1,000 people submitting letters to the council.
Expansion Details
The health and leisure club chain wants to build an extra 133 parking bays on an area of grass to the west of the current car park at Stanhope Grove. While the green space is unoccupied, it provides a buffer between the club and nearby homes.
David Lloyd Beckenham said there had been "considerable requests" from its members to improve the capacity of its 298-space car park. Eleven spaces would be lost as a result of construction, bringing the new total of spaces up to 420.
Public Response
Around 1,100 people have submitted comments on the plan, with almost 600 objecting while over 500 have written in support.
Bromley Council's planning officers have recommended the car park extension is refused, as they say it would have a detrimental impact on the appearance of the David Lloyd site, which is designated as Urban Open Space.
Bromley planners also felt the proposal would have a detrimental impact on residents living nearby, particularly through noise, disturbance and visual impact. Bromley's planning department argued that the proposal's benefits would not outweigh its potential harms.
The application will be discussed by the council's Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 on Thursday evening (June 18).
Objections
One objector said: "This proposal would result in the loss of an important area of green space in a residential setting. This space contributes to the character of the area, provides visual amenity, and supports local biodiversity. Its removal for additional car parking is unjustified and contrary to policies that seek to protect and enhance green space."
Support
Many believe the increased parking capacity could relieve parking stresses on nearby residential roads. One supporter wrote: "I think this is a necessary expansion to prevent members having to park on the road to inconvenience local residents. I have been assured that the club do not plan to increase member numbers, instead they are looking to make extra parking available so that the members do not need to park on the public road."
Divided Members
As well as residents, the proposal has divided David Lloyd members. Those in favour of the proposal want more car parking space as they often struggle to find a space, while those against it fear the car park expansion would encourage more people to join the club when they feel membership should be capped.
Claims of Misuse
One member claimed the club's car park was being used by car sales companies to advertise Lamborghinis and Aston Martins for sale. They also said the car park did not have a defined route for pedestrians.
They said: "David Lloyd's parking issue is due to people spending the entire day there, using the club as a base for work. I am a member, and it's difficult to get a space for a coffee during the day, due to the people camped in there, and laptops and bags left to occupy chairs. Adding more spaces will encourage more of this, and the parking issue will get worse again."
One David Lloyd member who supported the additional car parking space felt the increase in disabled bays was "much needed". They said: "I personally often attend with two registered disabled family members and sometimes the Blue Badge spaces are all taken. Please can there be consideration that the increase in disabled bays is a sufficient increase because this club and its health and fitness activities are exceptional at including numbers of people with disabilities."
Other Proposals
The Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 on Thursday will also be considering a proposal for the continued operation of an Orpington bakery, plans to build four outdoor padel courts on green belt land near Bromley Common and changes to the layout of Hawes Down Primary School in West Wickham.
