Residents back Bromley council move to protect Shortlands from overdevelopment

By Lachlan Leeming, Local Democracy Reporter

A residents’ group has backed a Bromley council move to protect an historic village in the borough facing “significant risk” from overdevelopment.

Shortlands Residents’ Association (SRA) this week encouraged residents to respond to Bromley council’s proposals to designate Shortlands Village as a conservation area.

The authority is currently open for public feedback on the plans, which would mean any future development or planning applications for the area would be required to either preserve or enhance the village, with an emphasis on greater sensitivity being shown to the area’s historic nature.

According to association chairman Mark Dempsey, the move would prevent the character of the village from being lost.

“It makes very good sense to have Shortlands Village given conservation area status,” he said.

“Shortlands is a suburb many people want to move to because of its unique character, and it will be important for us and them to be sure that any future developments are sympathetic to the current street scene and preserve the village atmosphere for local residents and businesses alike.”

Residents have until October 19 to have their say on the proposals.