‘It’s too much for Penge’: Thousands sign petition against 18-storey tower
A petition against plans for tower blocks stretching up to 18 storeys tall has received more than 2,300 signatures, with many residents saying they are now thinking of moving away from the area as a result.
Bromley council has received plans from Hadley Property Group and Clarion Housing Group for a set of four new apartment blocks, reaching up to 18 storeys.
The plans would see the Blenheim Shopping Centre being knocked down for the buildings, which would include 250 flats, up to 35 per cent of which would be “affordable”, and space for shops on the ground floor.
Resident Michael Payne, 61, organised the Stop the Blenheim Centre Redevelopment Campaign and started a petition opposing the plans, which has received 2,364 signatures online.
He said: “It’s out of proportion and out of character, it’s too much for Penge.”
The plans have also received 635 objections on the Bromley council planning portal. Resident Rebecca Williams, 46, said she and her neighbours felt angry about how the plans were presented.
She said: “That part of Penge High Street is run down and needs development. Everyone says [the plans] look wonderful. But it doesn’t point out it’s going to be 18 storeys, and not everyone here has grasped how huge 18 storeys is. Generally in Penge, along the high street, it’s four storeys max.”
Ms Williams also said she was unsure how the current plans have progressed this far. She said: “I moved here in 2021. I would not have moved here if there was an 18 storey tower block. It’s virtually behind my house. I would not have moved here and I’m now thinking of leaving the area.”
The applicants summarised the plans as: “A new local neighbourhood at the heart of Penge which will include private and affordable housing, a range of commercial and community uses as well as high-quality, inclusive and accessible public realm for the residents of Bromley.”
Labour Councillors Simon Jeal and Kathy Bance, who represent the Penge and Cator ward, said in a statement that while they support updating the current “run down” centre, they were worried about the height of the tower block and the precedent it would set for future planning applications.
A Bromley council spokesman said: “A planning application has been received for the redevelopment of the Blenheim Shopping Centre, which proposes a new large commercial space on the site with connected facilities and parking, as well as 250 new residential dwellings, all across four buildings.
“This is a large application that will take some time to determine but local residents are welcome to and can continue to provide their views in the usual way through the planning portal, which will be considered when determining the application.”
Hadley and Clarion were contacted for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.
Pictured top: Michael Payne, organiser of Stop the Blenheim Centre Redevelopment campaign, in front of the Blenheim Shopping Centre in Penge (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)