‘An accident waiting to happen’: Hundreds object to plans for scaffolding depot outside school

Hundreds of parents and residents have rallied together to object to plans for a scaffolding business to be housed next to a primary and nursery school.

The proposal was made to Bromley council from Masons Scaffolding to provide a scaffolding equipment storage and distribution yard in Churchfields Road, Beckenham, in an application form submitted in April 2024.

The company proposed to use the site for scaffolding storage and distribution, and redevelop the existing electricity undertaker’s depot.

But, the site is located behind the Churchfield reuse and recycling centre between Churchfield Primary and Nursery School and Churchfield Recreation Playground, which parents say will increase congestion, pollution and road safety risks for children.

Roi Perez, 33, who lives within five minutes of the site and frequently takes his two-year-old daughter to the playground said: “During term time buses climb on the pavement because lorries carrying scaffolding are blocking the road and parents are dropping children off at school.

“It’s already causing a bottleneck and there is the obvious danger of massive lorries and small children.

“I don’t know why the council won’t stop it – it’s like they’re waiting for an accident to happen.”

Luke Osborne, of Masons Scaffolding, said the objections mainly relate to the household recycling site, and the issue this creates for people in the area.

He said: “Operation of the scaffolding yard hasn’t commenced and our application has nothing to do with the existing users of the adjoining sites.

“A transport statement and noise impact assessment accompanies the planning submission and we urge anyone interested in the application to read these carefully”.

But, Kath Myers, a parent of two children, aged six and nine, who attend Churchfield Primary school described the application as “deeply concerning”.

She said: “This is not about the household recycling centre already in the area – this is about objecting to plans that will add significant safety risks for our children going to and from school.

“I have personally seen huge lorries manoeuvring dangerously outside the school at drop off time.”

There have been 252 objections from residents and MPs so far, according to the planning application on the Bromley council website.

Jeremy Adams, Labour councillor for the Clock House Ward said: “Sandwiching a scaffolding site between a primary school and a playground should be a non-starter. 

“The developers have shown no interest in engaging the local community – they have not even shown that they know there’s a school and playground next door.”

The application is retrospective after work started on March 1 this year, according to the application form, but final approval rests with Bromley council.

Bromley council has said it is “yet to determine” the retrospective planning application which relates to the privately owned land and will consider all objections and relevant planning policies it ints decision.

A spokesman said: “Whilst goods vehicles and commercial vehicles already generally use a separate entrance to the Reuse and Recycling Centre, any vehicle seeking to access the London Electricity Board Depot site will need to use the same access road as residents queuing to use the Centre.

“The planning applicant has also provided additional information in support of their applications. We will update those who have already commented.

“We need to await the outcome of the planning application – the Council may consider further enforcement action, however this is currently held in abeyance in line with our enforcement policy.”

Pictured top: Children pass the school gates as a Masons Scaffolding lorry drives through the road (Picture: Roi Perez)