Bromley Council has submitted a planning application to build a four-bedroom children's home on the site of the Wharton Road car park in Bromley North Village, sparking fierce opposition from residents and local businesses. The council says the facility would help children in care be closer to their support networks and reduce reliance on costly private placements.
Residents and businesses unite against the plan
Over 660 residents have signed a petition calling for the car park to remain open, and the planning application has received nearly 100 objections. Opponents are not against the children's home in principle but fear the loss of the 16 parking spaces will worsen existing parking problems.
Piers Hurn-Torr, landlord of The Anglesey Arms on Palace Road for nearly two-and-a-half years, said the lack of parking in the area was “a pain in the backside” and that he had been unable to increase trade since taking over because of it. The Anglesey is one of five pubs within a five-minute walk of the car park, the others being the Crown and Anchor, The White Horse, The Red Lion and The Freelands Tavern. Piers said: “I think all of us are struggling because of the lack of parking. If we lose those spaces, everyone loses the spaces. Residents and businesses, we are all a bit screwed.”
Residents describe parking as 'a nightmare'
Palace Road resident Mark Doonan said losing the car park would be “unthinkable.” He added: “I regularly have to drive around the block two or three times [to find a space]. If we lose these 16 parking spaces, it’s going to have a hugely detrimental effect on everyone.”
Karen Scully, who has lived in the area for 36 years with her husband Ross, called the parking situation “a nightmare” and said: “We all have to go out and do our shopping, and whatever we need to do, and get back by 2pm. If not, we can’t park.” Annual parking permits for Bromley North residents cost £80 but are only valid from midday to 2pm. Residents say roads often clog up in the afternoon as shoppers park to visit the nearby town centre.
Council defends the proposal
Bromley Council chose the Wharton Road site because it is “central, residential, and well connected to most parts of the borough” and its “accessibility and quiet residential setting make it an ideal location for a home that blends into the neighbourhood while meeting Bromley’s commitment to provide local care for children and young people who need it most.”
The council said parking concerns had been considered, and although it understood “some neighbouring residents may be disappointed,” it claimed the car park was no longer needed to support town centre parking. The council noted the car park operated at a loss, which further supported its change of use. An independent parking survey commissioned by the council found that parking demand accommodated by the car park could be absorbed by available space on nearby streets between midday and 2pm.
Mitigation measures proposed
The council said it was considering potential mitigation measures, such as offering permits for businesses at a central multi-storey car park or identifying opportunities to convert redundant single yellow lines into permit-holder bays. Park Road and Park Grove have been identified as roads where more parking bays could be added.
However, residents are not convinced. Local resident Dickon Love said: “The parking study avoided making any conclusions about the local requirements, but the data presented confirms that the reduction in parking from 101 to 85 spaces represents a significant shortfall in the number of spaces required against demand. Such a large reduction in available parking would be seriously detrimental to safety when travelling around the area, and the health, safety and wellbeing of residents—especially the elderly, disabled and vulnerable—and the economic and community life of its local pubs.”
Decision expected next month
The planning application is currently being considered by Bromley Council’s planning department, with a decision expected next month, likely at a public planning committee meeting due to the level of local opposition.
