Bromley councillors voted eight to seven in favour of the 138-home scheme at a meeting of the council’s Development Control Committee on September 2.
Now planning permission has been granted, the former Department of Health and Social Security office building at 1 Westmoreland Road that has stood vacant since 2021 will be demolished to make way for the new development.
It will consist of three buildings, the first being a 19-storey tower that will contain 107 one and two-bedroom build-to-rent apartments as well as some office space.
This will be accompanied by a six-storey complex with 31 specialist homes aimed at older residents and a three-storey building with more office space and a café.
The planning application received over 200 responses from Bromley residents, with supporters of the project hopeful that the derelict office building would be demolished to make way for something that would revitalise the town centre.
They also welcomed the additional housing and thought the location was ideal for a modern residential development.
Objectors were critical of the “intimidating” 19-storey height of the tower, believing it was out of character with nearby residential areas.
They also feared the influx of new residents would place extra pressure on local infrastructure, such as healthcare services and Bromley South station located just up the road.
Cllr Alexa Michael, Chairman of Bromley’s Development Control Committee, said: “This was a finely balanced decision.
“This brownfield site has long been set for redevelopment. There were clearly concerns locally with a development of this size which we have always been sympathetic to in Bromley. After listening to both the applicant and objectors, the committee members voted narrowly in favour of permission for this mixed-use development.”
Many have criticised the committee’s decision because previous plans for the site were refused in part due to their proposed height of 10 to 12 storeys. However, the far taller 19-storey plans have now been approved.
In response to this, a council spokesperson said: “When determining planning applications, height is not looked at in isolation and is considered in combination with scale, bulk and massing. This means that taller structures can in certain cases be less overbearing on local amenity than alternatives at a lower height.
“While concerns around height were outlined as a factor in evaluation, the One Westmoreland Road application has considered buildings placement within the site and other factors to reduce the impact on the townscape and neighbouring amenity.”
Liberal Democrats in Bromley have condemned the approval, criticising the plans for the “excessive height” of the buildings and an “inadequate provision of affordable housing” in the scheme. Only 11 of the 107 build-to-rent homes will be affordable housing.
Lib Dem Cllr Julie Ireland said: “I’m frankly astonished by this decision. Two previous applications for smaller towers were rightly rejected due to height and lack of affordable housing. Yet when the developers return with an even taller tower and the same inadequate housing offer, the committee waves it through.”
Cllr Ireland was also critical of the council, believing the plans had only been approved because it was failing to meet housing targets. “This was clearly a political decision,” she added.
“Labour councillors voted as a bloc, and several Conservatives who supported the scheme barely spoke during the meeting.
“Their motivation seems driven by Bromley’s failure to meet housing targets, not by what’s right for the community.
“Because of the Conservatives’ long-standing failure to deliver enough homes, residents are now paying the price—through increased pressure on infrastructure, rising costs, and missed opportunities for genuinely affordable housing.”
