Policy information sourced from Bromley Local Plan

Policy 20 Community Facilities

The Council will promote the quality of life and the health and wellbeing of those living and working in the Borough and engage with providers and agencies to ensure the provision, enhancement and retention of a wide range of appropriate social infrastructure, including facilities for health and education; recreation, sports and play facilities, places of worship and venues for cultural and social activities, as well as the provision of community safety infrastructure such as police facilities, ambulance and fire stations.

Development which meets an identified need for such facilities will be encouraged to locate to maximise accessibility and will normally be permitted provided that it is accessible to the members of the community it is intended to serve by a full range of transport modes.

Planning permission will not be granted for proposals that would lead to the loss of community facilities, unless alternative enhanced provision is to be made in an equally accessible location for the community it serves, or it can be demonstrated that there is no longer a need for them or other forms of social infrastructure. Where a proposal for alternative social infrastructure involves a change of use not permitted under the GPDO Use Classes Order, the lack of need for the specific use class must first be demonstrated.

Additionally, in respect of facilities identified by local communities as having significant value, planning permission for alternative uses will only be considered where it can be demonstrated that no prospective purchasers exist that would be willing to pay both a suitable price and maintain the existing use.

For more information please see the Local Plan