Author Archives: mpender

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee in the House of Commons has issued a strongly critical report on the Government’s proposed changes to planning laws.

WBRA, along with other Beckenham Associations, is very alarmed at these proposals. Much of work with our members is helping them to object to planning applications from their next door neighbours, or development along their street, where the proposals would severely affect their quality of life. The Government’s proposals would remove their ability to make any objections. A full explanation of these proposals is on page 2 of our website (scroll down the page.)

The Select Committee said

• on the three zones of growth, renewal and protected …. we are unpersuaded that the Government’s zoning-based approach will produce a quicker, cheaper, and democratic planning system. The Government should reconsider the case for the three areas proposal.
• If the Government insists on “zoning” of areas –  Local authorities should set out detailed plans for growth and renewal areas which specify heights of buildings, density of development, minimum parking standards, access to retail, education, transport, health facilities and other local amenities. 
• On removal of rights of objection – We found that far more people engage with individual planning proposals and fear that the proposed change will reduce public involvement in the planning process.
  All individuals must still be able to comment and influence upon all individual planning proposals.

The Government has already abandoned it’s proposals for housing targets based on “algorithms” following severe backlash from its backbenchers. The Committee says

We think the Government’s abandonment of its proposed formula for determining housing need is the correct decision. There remains a need for additional information about how the Government’s revised approach, announced in December 2020, might work in practice. 

You can read the full report here

West Beckenham RA has, along with our sister Copers Cope Area RA, organised a letter to Bob Stewart MP asking for his support to oppose the proposed changes to planning laws that would require local authorities to divide their areas into just three planning zones and would remove the rights of residents to object to planning applications in their neighbourhood.

We were delighted to be joined by Shortlands RA and West Wickham RA, to cover all of Bob’s constituency.  His reply says “I agree with your concerns about planning proposals and the “zoning” of local authority areas as well as the removal of rights of residents to participate in planning decisions on a case by case basis.” He also suggested that the Government may be having a re-think.

You can see our letter in full

CCARA, WBRA, SRA & WWRA Ltr – Planning for the Future__ MP Bob Stewart

and our previous letter

CCARA & WBRA Ltr – Planning for the Future – concerns for MP Stewart.

WBRA have also written to Ellie Reeves MP for Lewisham West and Penge. Labour initiated a debate against these proposals in the House of Commons on 21 June.

SGN started work in the Cherry tree Walk area of Beckenham on Wednesday 23 June.

This is replacement of old metal gas mains with new plastic pipe to ensure a safe and reliable gas supply to the local area. Forefront Utilities is the contractor.

Over the coming six months they will be progressing through Cherry Tree Walk, Beck Way, Bramerton Road, Groveland Road, Croydon Road, Westbury Road, Glanfield Road, Wellhouse Road, Eden Park Avenue and Lloyds Way.

These works will be

• From Monday 26 July for approximately five weeks – close Groveland Road at the junction with Croydon Road. A signed diversion will be in place for motorists.
• From Monday 26 July for approximately four weeks – temporary two-way traffic lights along Croydon Road, between Eden Park Avenue and Westbury Road,. Eden Park bus stops (L&K) will be temporarily suspended during the works.
• From Monday 25 Octoberfor approximately six weeks they will install temporary traffic lights around the work area in Lloyds Way.
• Work will be suspended over Christmas.
• At the start of January 2022, work will progress through Broomfield Road, Merlin Grove, Eden Park Avenue, Stanhope Grove, Ronald Close and Ernest Grove, for approximately three months. They aim to maintain traffic in both directions around the work areas for the majority of the work. However, to access the gas pipe safely whilst they are working along Stanhope Grove, they will need to install temporary traffic lights around the area.
• From Monday 3 January for approximately eight weeks, Merlin Grove will be closed at Stanhope Grove.

Covid  – they say

“Our engineers are happy to answer questions at any time during our project. Please remember to keep a safe distance when speaking to our team or passing our site.

We would like to apologise for the disruption our work may cause you and thank you in advance for your co-operation in enabling us to carry out the essential work.”

Our Express Review Spring 2021, contained an article on the misspelling of the name of Private Fullex on both Beckenham and West Wickham War Memorials. It reported that LB Bromley have agreed to install an addendum plaque to correct this and they are asking for anyone who knows of other mistakes to contact them.

It is likely that this will be the last opportunity to make any corrections.

This is the extract from their website

Relatives or interested local people are being invited to suggest additional names or correct potential spelling errors on both the Beckenham and West Wickham war memorials.

The opportunity follows agreement to correct the spelling of a soldier from World War I and before doing this, so that no other changes are then made, the council has launched a unique appeal to relatives and other interested people if they know of other changes which also need to be made.  A notice period of four weeks is being allowed for interested parties to email suggestions to towncentres@bromley.gov.uk about the two war memorials in Beckenham and West Wickham town centres.  Enquiries therefore need to be received by 17 May 2021.

Private Alfred M Fullex, a World War I soldier has had his name spelled incorrectly on both the Beckenham and West Wickham war memorials for over 100 years and when this came to light following contact from a relative of Private Fullex, it was agreed to install an addendum plaque with the correct spelling.

A council spokesperson said, “These war memorials and others remain a powerful memorial and a focal point for remembrance and are much treasured by so many.  In recognition that this is a sensitive topic, we wanted to let local residents know what was happening and potentially include other names on an addendum plaque if it was appropriate to do so.  We are hoping to install the new plaque relatively quickly but particularly to avoid adding additional names to the memorial after this, if anyone knows of other amendments which should be made, please get in touch.”

The council is inviting Bromley residents to come forward if they are aware of other misspellings on these or any other war memorials so that the council can look into making any further amendments that may be required. It is considered important that changes to any war memorials are kept to a minimum so as to retain their visual integrity.

Any addendum plaques added to the existing war memorials would remain in-keeping with the design, being minimal in size and using appropriate colouring and materials.

The Census liaison offier for Bromley has offered support for anyone who has not completed yet.

You can join online virtual Q&A & Completion workshops, or get one to one help over the phone or order paper questionnaires in a variety of formats including Easy Read.

The next completion events will be on the 30th and 31st of March at 3pm. To sign up email

Aleksandra Besevic <aleksandra.besevic80@field.census.gov.uk>

In addition, there is a variety of support available online: https://census.gov.uk/help

There is still time.