Bromley Council planning officers threw out the plans earlier this year over fears the proposed helicopter lift on the Cookham Dene estate would harm green belt land.
The proposals would have seen a hanger and lift built under the Grade II listed manor house’s grounds, allowing a helicopter to take off after being raised to ground level.
The owner of the estate has now launched an appeal against the local authority’s decision, which will be heard by an independent Planning Inspector.
Locals were divided over the plans when they were first submitted, with some neighbours fearing that there would be too much noise as a result of the helicopter taking off and landing.
Although the local authority dismissed these concerns, it said the that the application had not explained any special circumstances which would outweigh the impact the proposed lift would have on the green belt.
However, the manor house owner has said that several exemptions that allow development on green belt land would be met in this case.
These include the fact the lift provides for “outdoor sport and recreation” and could be seen as a “proportionate extension” to existing buildings.
They add that the estate’s grounds should be considered “grey belt”, which are areas in the green belt that have previously been developed.
“Whilst situated underground, the proposals are of an appropriate scale and design and would not result in any adverse impact on the character or visual appearance of the area,” the appeal states.
“The lift would only be perceived when in the ‘open’ position, albeit the structure is not solid, and this would only be very temporary.”
Despite 12 objections to the scheme, three people also submitted letters of support for the plans.
One neighbour said: “It is only a little helicopter. It is a cool Thunderbirds-style contraption.
“At the end of the day if you live somewhere like this then you expect people to want these things. This guy is like Batman.”
The grounds of the manor house are described as having been used “regularly” for the take-off and landing of helicopters since at least 2005.
The manor house owner’s appeal claims that planning approval is not needed for this as long as the helicopter is not used for more than 28 days per year.
