Today a member of Thames21 visited the site to take additional samples of the silt which has accumulated over the years. These samples will be tested in a laboratory to assess the levels of pollutants, and if they are within official Environment Agency limits.
Taking a silt sample
This follows earlier samples, a couple of which contained higher levels of pollutants. We are hoping that these new samples will be within limits, and so our project to refurbish this historic pond can receive necessary approvals, allowing us to proceed with funding, etc.
In just over a couple of hours we were able to remove several bags of general rubbish, plus a shopping trolley, traffic cone, bicycle, and about a hundred golf balls! We also managed to clear some of the fallen tree branches, and other detritus, blocking the river flow. Much remains to be done but in the meantime the ducks will be able to soon safely breed on the island, and not get caught up in the rubbish. Further work parties will be arranged, but will not be on the island until after the breeding season.
This is all part of our short term maintenance of this historic pond, pending the approval and implementation of the major long term renovation project. You can find out more about this on our Campaign page.
We all love our trees and how they enhance our public spaces. So it is sad when we lose any of the. Sadly several have either been brought down or badly damaged, as a result of Storm Eunice. A couple of examples are shown below.
Wild Cherry in Library GardensLarge tree in Church House Gardens
There was also damage to a large Cedar as well as a new tree sapling, in Church House Gardens. All these trees have been reported. Some will survive, if badly damaged. Hopefully the others will be replaced in due course by new ones. However it will inevitably take many years for them to again become mature specimens.
In November our new flag pole was installed at the Kentish Way entrance of Queens Garden, after a long campaign. This replaced an earlier one located nearby, now occupied by the Children’s Playground, which was redeveloped along with several small restaurants in what used to be part of the park. To celebrate this we were able to raise our Green Flag awarded for 2021/2. This was the third year in a row this park was successful. We will soon be aiming for this valued public green space, right in the town centre, to again be recognised in this manner.
Green Flag Award is a national award, a quality mark for parks & green spaces – and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Its criteria are –
Opposition to the Churchill Quarter development is growing. Buildings will tower over the High Street and Library Gardens, casting a shadow over the latter and altering its peaceful character. We are pleased to be working with Bromley Civic Society, and others in campaigning against this proposed development.
See the before and after photos below to gain an impression of its impact – and how you can make your opinion known.
Following our leafletting campaign in September, it is clear that there is a groundswell of opposition to this development. Many people have written to us expressing their horror at this proposal.
Comments include:
● “That LBB are considering such a proposal is appalling and horrifying in the face of the past 4 years of HUGE opposition from the public, Historic England, residents’ groups, associations, councillors, etc.This vast, ugly and overwhelming development will brutalise the character of our beautiful and historic Town Centre.”
● “Has infrastructure been considered?
1…Oversubscribed doctors’ surgeries, 2…Oversubscribed schools. 3…Car parking 4…What effect of these vast buildings is it estimated to have on our Victorian sewerage and water systems? 5…Untold detrimental effect on wildlife.”
● “I will be able to see this from our house in Shortlands and it is worrying that it is being proposed again.”
● “This proposal directly flies in the face of the policy against ‘tall buildings’ which is supposed to inform planning in the town centre and be adhered to. The need is for lower rise development.”
● “I would strongly oppose any tower blocks being built as they are unsightly, why not construct buildings no taller than existing ones? Bromley High Street has retained its charm & the park offers peace & tranquillity without having any intrusive tower blocks overlooking it.”
● “Whilst [I] am in favour of modernisation and development done appropriately, I am afraid to say that the proposals fall far short of this. The significant reduction to the green spaces and creation of excessively tall buildings is something I cannot support. If this goes ahead it will only mean a worse quality of life for Bromley residents and a degradation of the existing area.”
● “The plans destroy the current entrance to Library Gardens.”
● “… entirely out of keeping with the historical character of this market town and its surroundings.”
● “All the features that single Bromley out as the fine and lovely market town that it is … would be permanently spoiled by the construction of monolithic tower blocks. The impact on and damage to the environment, the wildlife and the Conservation Area would be irreparable.”
● “There are neither the amenities nor the infrastructure to support a high-density population that would result from these tower blocks.”
● “How much would this development really contribute to affordable housing and meeting the housing need?”
● “The whole design of the development would take away the character of Bromley and Bromley would not be Bromley anymore.”
What can you do?
In advance of the opportunity to make formal objections to the planning application, you can voice your opposition by lodging your comments with Countryside Properties at:
