Latest news with #BromleyCouncil
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orpington museum archive plans will 'tarnish beauty and deprive community of space'
Orpington residents opposed to plans to build a £3.9 million museum archive in public gardens have signed a petition to stop the proposal. Following its decision to relocate Bromley Central Library to the former Topshop unit in Bromley High Street earlier this year, Bromley Council announced its intention to build a new archive and museum store that would bring together the borough's entire museum and art collection under one roof. According to council documents, the new one-storey archive facility would cost around £3.9 million to construct and measure 630m². It would be located within a depot in Priory Gardens, Orpington, replacing the existing museum and art store and a building used by the council's environment department and idverde, Bromley's parks and ground maintenance contract holder. The new archive would only be publicly accessible as part of special events such as the Open House Festival and Heritage Open Days, with Bromley residents able to view its contents by request and appointment at the new Bromley Central Library. Bromley Council has stated the facility would meet 'high environmental and fire protection standards', it would be located away from public view and it would not be built on public park land as it is contained within the depot. The council also said the existing mature trees around the depot would be retained and new hedges and trees would be planted to enhance the biodiversity of the site. After the announcement of the archive plans in May, Cllr Yvonne Bear said: 'It is important that we take the necessary steps to preserve our heritage, with these plans ensuring important local relics of our past remain available to residents as needed long into the future.' Following the release of these plans, a petition was launched in opposition to them. As of July 4, it has gained over 1,800 signatures. The petition 'Say No to the £3.9 million Warehouse in Priory Gardens' calls for the money to be invested in the Priory Gardens depot 'in a way that enriches the lives of the community' and 'adds growth to local businesses and economy'. The petition reads: 'If allowed to proceed, this project will not only tarnish the beauty and serenity of this historic site but also deprive the community of a public space that could serve as a valuable social and educational resource. 'Instead of creating a closed-off archive storage facility, we could aim to establish a community garden hub, a children's crèche, an educational centre and community garden. 'Such a hub would provide a place for educational workshops, allow collaborations with local businesses, and enhance social interaction across all age groups. It has the potential to foster a collective sense of belonging, strengthen community ties, and enrich lives in Bromley Borough. 'Bromley Council must reconsider their decision and prioritise projects that align with the community's needs and wishes. According to studies, access to green spaces can improve mental health, enhance community engagement, and boost local economies. 'Priory Gardens holds the potential to be so much more than a garden—it can be a sustainable community space that benefits everyone.' The petition was started by Caroline Jeffrey, a member of the Friends of Priory Gardens, a group devoted to preserve, promote and protect the Grade II listed Arts & Crafts and Italianate style gardens. The group does not support Bromley Council's archive proposal, saying it would 'degrade' the gardens with a 'monolithic warehouse' and it has promoted the petition objecting to it.
Metro
25-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
‘We want property developers to rebuild our pub brick-by-brick'
Campaigners are demanding developers rebuild a pub 'brick by brick' if it is demolished to make way for luxury flats. The Mitre in Crystal Palace has been one of the most famous watering holes in south-east London for over 150 years but wrecking crews have been called in to tear it down this week. The owners of the historic building were granted permission to build ten flats as long as the ground floor was retained as a pub. But work on the project was stopped after the building was deemed structurally unsafe. Bromley Council has closed part of the busy Croydon Road over fears The Mitre and neighbouring shops, including a pharmacy and barbers, would collapse too. Residents living above the shopping parade have also been moved out of their homes to allow for demolition. Now, campaigners tell Metro they want their beloved Mitre to be rebuilt, the 'lifeline' pharmacy reopened and compensation paid back by developers. It was built in 1867 and was one of the last pubs in London to feature a heated rail along the bottom of the bar so that weary Londoners could prop up the bar and keep their feet warm on a winter's night. demolition ordered by them was the 'last resort.' The pub building had been vacant since 2022 with famous graffiti artist Nathan Bowen tagging the venue's shutters with one of his trademark designs. Lucy Pearce, who lives on the road opposite the beloved boozer, told Metro: 'We want the pub rebuilt brick by brick. 'We are very disappointed with the demolition and want the council to force the developer to rebuild our little piece of London history. 'This pub was so special. We have lived here for decades and brought our children up here. The Mitre is part of the history of the area.' Her partner Julian added: 'We love the place. It should be retained for the community, it's a hub for local people and should be rebuilt.' Ella McCarthy has children with complex medical needs and relies on the local pharmacy, which has been closed while the demolition work takes place, for medication. She said: 'I rely on the pharmacy I really need the medication for the kids. The closure is a nightmare. We need a timeline as to when it can reopen.' Chris Shaw, 38, a not-for-profit company director, is trying to sell one of the evacuated flats on the parade. He told Metro: 'The uncertainty is a nightmare, I have just one buyer because of this. There has been no agreement or offer of compensation from the owner.' It is understood that after the demolition, the owner of the pub building will have to reapply for planning permission to construct flats. Bromley Council will assess any new application and have said the demolition ordered by them was the 'last resort.' A Bromley Council spokesperson told Metro: 'This demolition work is an absolute last resort, with our structural engineers advising that the building has become even more unstable and is now dangerous. More Trending 'The road is closed to allow for preparation work, with a hoarding being erected around the building, with demolition work then getting underway. 'Croydon Road will partially re-open once the hoarding is constructed and only fully re-open once the demolition work is complete. 'We apologise for any inconvenience, with this work unavoidable from a safety perspective.' In February 2024, South Staffordshire Council served an enforcement notice ordering the owners of the Crooked House in Himley to rebuild the iconic pub following its 'unlawful demolition'. MORE: This is where Keir Starmer will go if World War Three comes to London MORE: Samurai swordsman guilty of murdering schoolboy he nearly decapitated during rampage MORE: Man chased around Tube station for his watch before attacker is pinned down
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Crystal Palace International Film Festival at risk, says founder
The founder of a south London film festival says it "will never happen again" if the local councils insist on rating the films Palace International Film Festival (CPIFF) launched in 2009 and attracts filmmakers to venues including the West Norwood Roy, who set up the festival he says attendees call the "world's coolest", says Lambeth and Bromley Councils want to charge more than £6,500 to rate all 132 films - a cost he claims no film festival has the budget said "there is no change in how the council has treated the film festival in over a decade" while Lambeth said "fees are charged to all organisations that ask us to classify their films". 'Draconian' A petition to save CPIFF, which also shows films at the Everyman Cinema in Crystal Palace, has already attracted more than 1,500 of the previous attendees worked on the Netflix hit Adolescence while another has just graduated from the National Television and Film School, according to the festival has previously attracted big-name comedians including Andy Zaltzman, Kerry Godliman and Mark Steel."It's extremely frustrating," Mr Roy said. "You've got a much-loved film festival which is very popular and a launchpad for young creatives into the industry."It's such a lovely thing to have in the local area – the community in Crystal Palace loves it and the councils won't listen."Hopefully they see common sense so we can start inspiring kids into the film industry." Mr Roy said he had offered to allow the councils to independently rate a selection of films to verify his judgment as well as proposing to make all of the films 18-rated to enable the festival to go ahead."They're draconian in applying their rules - no child has come to harm in 16 years," he added. "They won't even have time to watch all of the films.""Our proudest legacy of inspiring children into the film industry - it will end. This would be devastating - it's my passion, my love and I'm so proud of it."It sells out – we're doing amazing things for independent film. They should be supporting it." A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: "We have worked closely with CPIFF over many years to help ensure that the event could take place with all its films properly classified."But the council, like other local authorities, has a responsibility to classify films which have no age rating certificate from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) before they can be shown to the public."Licensing in Lambeth reviewed the CPIFF films for 2025 to be shown at West Norwood cinema, which included themed films aimed at specific groups on to be shown on separate dates. "The council issued ratings for each group of film showings, provided individual classifications, and undertook cross-checking as to what films had already received a BBFC classification, as part of our role in ensuring consumers are protected with a focus on the young." A Bromley Council spokesperson said: "There is no change in how the council has treated the film festival in over a decade, with the only change being that the film festival now want to include children in the audience, where legislation therefore needs to be complied with. "Under the Licensing Act 2003, any premises licensed for the exhibition of films must ensure that all films shown carry a classification certificate from either the BBFC or the local authority. "The council currently has serious financial challenges of its own but we have, in previous years, revised application fees to support the festival and remain open to discussion about the way forward but we need to ensure the law is complied with, part of the aim of which is to protect children."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Wickham library transformation to be unveiled with café and business lounge
A major library transformation is set to be unveiled following a multi-million-pound refurbishment. West Wickham Library will reopen to the public on Friday, June 27, following extensive works that include a modern café, business lounge, and an expanded children's library with outdoor space. Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley Council's executive councillor for renewal, recreation and housing, said: "I'm sure residents passing by during the works have been curious about this landmark building as it has taken form in the heart of West Wickham and I encourage residents to soon explore the impressive new facilities firsthand. "We use libraries throughout our lives and not just for books, which is why the council have long supported the borough's beloved library network. "Recent improvements across our libraries continue to drive their popularity, while ensuring they have the resources needed to support residents long into the future." Multi-million-pound refurbishment transforms landmark West Wickham Library (Image: West Wickham Library) West Wickham is the fifth library in the borough to be refurbished as part of more than £30 million of investment aimed at modernising facilities and reducing future maintenance costs. A highlight of the new library is the first Makerspace in a Bromley library, offering 3D printers, a die cutter, and sewing machines to support innovation and entrepreneurship. This facility was made possible by more than £1 million in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The library also features new bookable areas, including a community space and business lounge, public toilets on each floor, and additional work and study zones. The project has already attracted industry recognition, having been shortlisted for Best Retrofit Project in the Building London Planning Awards. First Bromley library Makerspace features 3D printers and sewing tools (Image: West Wickham Library) To mark the reopening, Bromley Council is inviting residents to join in a day of activities on June 27, from 11.30am to 5pm. The celebrations will include craft workshops, art sessions, and a children's event with author Peter Bently. The Mayor will officially open the library at 11am. The library will be operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the charitable social enterprise that runs all of Bromley's libraries. Rebecca Gediking, head of libraries at GLL, said: "It has been a privilege to work with the London Borough of Bromley to renovate and refurbish West Wickham Library. "GLL libraries are some of the highest performing across the UK with Bromley Libraries lending the highest number of books in London for the last two years. "We cannot wait to open the new West Wickham Library which captures all of the magic of the old library whilst inspiring and supporting a new generation of readers." The refurbishment was delivered alongside the construction of 26 new affordable homes on a nearby car park site, part of the council's Bromley homes for Bromley people programme. The housing development, which supported the library project, is expected to be completed later this year. Three alternative council car parks are available within a ten-minute walk of the library. Bromley Council's wider library improvement programme continues, with refurbishments currently underway at Chislehurst, Mottingham, and Orpington libraries. Plans are also progressing to relocate Bromley Central Library to a new high street location, with further details to be announced in due course.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Our lives have been ruined by a sickening smell – it's lowered our house prices and it's about to get even worse
NEIGHBOURS of a KFC drive thru have warned Britons of the "awful" reality - with disgusting smells, litter and reckless delivery drivers. It comes as the fast food chain has announced a £1.5 billion expansion plan, with 500 new stores set to hit the UK over the next five years. 10 10 10 10 They hope to rival the growth of other chicken shop chains like Popeyes and Wingstop. In addition to its 500 new stores, they will upgrade 200 of their existing stores, as well as taking on managers, chefs, and newly created 'guest experience' roles. Residents in West Wickham, London have warned against the expansion plan, citing littered streets and disgusting smells as just some of the issues the company brought to the area. The site has undergone many transformations over the last decade or so - beginning as the beloved White Hart pub before becoming a taperia, a steakhouse and, as of 2017, a KFC drive thru. It is particularly problematic for the residents living on Cavendish Way, as many of their gardens back on to the fast food restaurant's car park. During the planning process, over 1,200 residents launched a campaign against the proposal. The proposals were submitted twice, facing significant backlash throughout, before they were approved by Bromley Council, setting a regrettable precedent that 'if you just persevere you can do anything' according to retired city worker and local Tim. Once approved, Tim said that they completely changed the site - chopping trees down, filling in a pond, and covering the site in tarmac. He now refuses to visit the site in protest. Tim said: 'I don't mind a KFC but I refuse to use that one.' When his daughter and her now-husband stayed at his house, they were under strict instructions not to visit that particular store. His frustration with that specific branch, which is located off a roundabout at the top of Cavendish Way, stems from the litter and smells. Tim said that he has seen people drive onto their street to eat the food before throwing their rubbish out of the window, sometimes littering his drive. While the store 'said they would send someone out to keep the road clean', Tim said, 'they haven't done that.' Catherine Carol, who lives opposite Tim, has experienced similar issues. She said: 'It's bloody awful. I came home yesterday and there's a load of rubbish on the street by my house - they don't clear up after themselves. 'We have got masses of boxes around here. It's disgusting.' In addition to the rubbish, she said the KFC has made it difficult to enjoy the summer weather, with residents of Cavendish Way's gardens facing the drive thru. She said: 'In the summer you can smell the grease and oil.' From when the store opens at 10.30am, until it closes at 11pm, residents are subjected to the smell of oil, grease, and fried chicken, as the wind carries the smell into their gardens. It left Catherine saying: 'I wish it wasn't there.' Neighbour Dean Ferguson, 62, has found the smell particularly difficult to deal with. He said: 'The noxious smells you get drafting across at peak times can overwhelm you.' Like Tim, he has seen people parking on their road to eat the fast food before 'launch[ing] it out the side of the car.' He added: 'It's really disgusting, people don't seem to care.' This is an issue he foresaw when the proposals were initially submitted, as he was one of the many residents to object to the plans. 10 10 10 He said: 'I did object to it several years ago. I could see what was going to happen.' Even when it isn't open, 83-year-old Derek Avent said: 'There's a 24-hour smell that just doesn't go away.' Derek lives in the retirement village on the opposite side of the KFC. He said that his ground floor flat is ruined by the smell, particularly on summer days when he opens his window. Derek added: 'On a sunny day like today when I open the window it's all I can smell, and it's bad.' Another issue Derek highlighted is the increased traffic caused on quite a small road. Delivery drivers are a particular concern for retirement home residents as he said: 'All you see going there are just guys on bikes with the big boxes for delivery orders, and they have no care for motorists or people walking nearby.' Dean said that traffic is especially bad during peak times, like on a Friday, which can 'create quite a bit of congestion.' Not all residents are as put off by the fast food chain though, as Devin Parmar, 41, said: 'It's actually a selling point - I like the smell.' He added that 'it's really convenient' and that ultimately he is 'glad it's there.' Devin did acknowledge the risk of increased litter with the chain's expansion, however, he said: 'that's more on people throwing rubbish on the floor, not throwing it in a bin.' As long as KFC provides adequate bins and accounts for successful waste management as part of the expansion, Devin thinks it will be a good thing, and the members of the community should learn to take care of their litter. With the news that the store expansion could create 7,000 jobs, Devin said it was nice to see 'a chain… actually investing in the UK which is a good thing' especially 'at a time where people are complaining about cost of living and unemployment rates.' Philip Charsley, 60, shared a similarly positive mindset. He said: 'To be honest I haven't had any problems with it. While he admitted you do 'occasionally get a smell', he said 'it's no worse than somebody that's having a barbecue.' His main issue with the chain is that 'it's just not good food' as he would rather cook from scratch than indulge in the deep fried food. While most residents seemed to agree that its former occupants were better, they were also more apprehensive about what could replace the KFC if it ever shut down. Tim initially expressed a hope that 'it might close down' as he noted it's 'never really that busy.' However, he said: 'The worry now is if that does fail, what do you get next? A McDonalds or a Burger King? I just don't want those sorts of places.' Slightly further down the road is a McDonalds drive thru that Philip says 'causes major traffic issues,' leaving him grateful that the KFC is not very busy. 10 10 10 Long-term residents seem more put-out by the addition to their suburban neighbourhood, while Philip and Devin, who moved to the area four and six years ago respectively, were more positive. With an average Trip a dvisor rating of 1.7, visitors to West Wickham's KFC complain of rude staff, soggy fries, and incorrect orders. While the new initiative could provide new job opportunities, residents of West Wickham empathise with Britons across the country who might be feeling apprehensive about the chain's expansion. Despite Devin's positive attitude, he did acknowledge that 'litter and pest issues will be the main concern for residents across the country as it could cause issues in each of the bubbles near each location.' A spokesperson for Bromley Council said: "Permission was granted for this development over a decade ago, which followed the usual process for determining Planning applications and considered all representations, including from residents, received at that time. "We have had few complaints relating to this property, but residents can raise any concerns, which will be investigated through our Planning or Public Protection Enforcement teams as required." We have approached KFC for comment.
