Bromley town centre could get new 12-storey tower

Bromley council has received plans for a new 12-storey tower block in its town centre.

The application includes plans for 122 new flats at 1 Westmoreland Road in Bromley. The scheme will also include 1,500 square metres of shop and office space, the latter of which will be in a separate building.

The plans, sent by London Land Group, will see the 1950s office building at the address knocked down.

The site is currently vacant and was previously occupied by the Department of Health and Social Security, and used as a temporary school between 2015 and 2021.

Located a seven minute walk from Bromley South station, planning documents said the current site “fails to acknowledge its pivotal role” in the context of the town centre.

They said: “The approach from all intersecting roads is underwhelming, ill defined and lacking legibility. The environment is harsh and devoid of greenery… We believe there is an opportunity to reimagine the site to address first impressions and to create a high quality, worthy gateway.”

The plans have received 38 comments on the council’s planning portal by locals. One neighbour said they felt the tower block was too high and that the area didn’t have the infrastructure to support the 122 new homes.

They said: “The plans themselves are ugly and it’s a shame to see high rises like this unnecessarily going into Bromley town centre. I thoroughly object as a local resident.”

Planning documents said the height of the building was designed to tie in with the taller buildings emerging around Bromley in recent years.

London Land Group held two public consultations last year on the plans, and said the feedback from these meetings has helped to shape and refine the scheme. One resident said on the planning portal that the plans were “welcome and long overdue”.

Another added: “The existing building is an eyesore and the proposed development replaces this with a well-considered, well-designed proposal.”

The new development, called One Westmoreland, will see a design influenced by the local former St Mark’s School building, which is Grade II listed. The developers also plan to include a private communal courtyard.

London Land Group said in a statement: “The comprehensive redevelopment of the well-known vacant 1950’s office building, which has become an eyesore in recent times, will help bring new jobs and regeneration to Bromley South and deliver much-needed new homes to the area.”

Bromley council are expected to make a decision on the plans by May 29.

Picture: Plans for the two proposed buildings as seen from Masons Hill. Permission for use by all LDRS partners. Credit: Suttonca/London Land Group