Planning for the future

Consultation is now underway on the next stage of development for a planning strategy for the borough until 2030.

Residents and stakeholders are being asked to provide their views on Bromley Council's Local Plan, which sets out a long term vision and objectives to guide planning policy and development. This consultation on the ‘Bromley Local Plan Draft Planning Policies and Designations’ document runs until 24 March 2014 and seeks view on draft policies and designations, including the extent of town centres, industrial and business areas.  For more information and to comment visit www.bromley.gov.uk/localplan.  

“We are urging residents and others to give us their views so they can help us to determine the future of our borough.  This is a very exciting time in which local people can help to shape Bromley’s future.  Why not log on to the website or visit your local library and get involved” said Councillor Peter Dean, Chairman of Development Control Committee.  

This stage of consultation considers views and provides detailed policies on key local priorities and challenges following consultation on preferred options.  This includes how to retain Bromley’s distinctive local character and quality environment whilst accommodating the needs of the community and business, housing provision, community facilities and the protection of open space and historic assets.  It tests planning strategies for the future as part of an ongoing process. 

The quickest way to view the documents is using this link :-

http://bromley-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/lpdpd/lpdpdc?tab=info

The most immediate section possibly affecting the Links Estate is section 7.5 and 7.6 :-

"The Council continues to lobby for improved public transport connectivity with Canary Wharf, principally to provide access to growing employment. To date, feasibility proposals have been worked up jointly between TfL and the Council but funding has yet to be identified for any investment in light rail extensions. As the London Overground network success continues, the feasibility of extending from New Cross Gate to Bromley North is currently being explored."

and "The Council proposes the safeguarding of land and route alignment for the following public transport investment (including land for construction and operation):Docklands Light Railway from Catford to Bromley South via Bromley North"

Council to freeze council tax

At Full Council on February 24, Bromley Council agreed its budget for 2014-15.

This followed the announcement made by the Chancellor before Christmas that the grant given to local authorities to freeze the council tax would no longer be a one-off payment but part of the year-on-year on-going funding to Councils. Bromley Council lobbied local MPs and government Ministers regarding this issue arguing accepting one-off payments was not financially sustainable in terms of future budgets.  Together with the GLA precept, which has been reduced, this means band D council tax payers in Bromley will pay £4 per annum less this year.  

Full details of the announcement can be seen at the following link:-

council_to_freeze_council_tax

Details of other developments by Bromley Council can be seen on the Spring Update Newsletter

This can be downloaded as a pdf file from bromley.gov.uk/downloads/file/1883/update_spring_2014

Cancer Information in the High Street

Tuesday 25 February 2014 - Wednesday 26 February 2014

Cancer information and support event

Location: Bromley High Street, BR1 1EY pedestrian area 

Time: 10:00 - 16:00

Cost: Free

A drop in event for anyone with questions or worries about cancer in Bromley.

Event organiser: Macmillan Cancer Support

At Macmillan, we understand how vital it is to have someone by your side when you're affected by cancer.

A team who can provide personal support and expert information. That's what we do.

Telephone: 0808 808 00 00

Website: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/  

Borough Commander's Newsletter February 2014

Below is a part of  the first page of February’s newsletter.

Officers from Bromley took part in a major two week pan-London operation to increase awareness of security and counter terrorism policing in London during January.

The initiative - known as Operation Penna - was the second operation of its kind run by the Metropolitan Police Service. The first was held in December 2012 and involved coordinated activity focussed on reminding the public, as well as police officers and staff, of the vital role we all can play in protecting London from terrorism. Activity took place across all 32 boroughs between 13 - 24 January, with tactics including high visibility patrols around crowded places such as shopping centres and transport hubs, and briefings to businesses. Officers held 537 external briefings, with a total audience of 11,390 people, providing information explaining the ongoing threat from terrorism and what can be done to protect the capital against it.

The operation was coordinated by the Counter Terrorism Protective Security Command (SO20) in partnership with local policing colleagues across the MPS.

The rest of the newsletter can be viewed by clicking on the following link:-

http://www.bnwa.co.uk/images/pdf/BoroughCommandernewsletterFebruary2014.pdf

It includes the following items :-

• Large cannabis factory discovered in Crystal Palace Park Road
• A violent robber has been jailed for 15 years for committing two knifepoint robberies
• Man jailed for life for two Orpington rapes
• Man jailed for preying on vulnerable teenage boy
• Orpington man jailed for Handling stolen goods
• Contacting the police in Bromley

Yet another burglary in Ridgeway Drive

The burglary took place on 13th Feb between 1.20pm and 7.30 pm.

The home owners arrived home early evening having been out since mid afternoon to discover their patio door window smashed. The perpetrators accessed the rear of the property by breaking down a side gate.

Fortunately nothing of major value taken although some of the items were of sentimental value.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near your own house it may help to make a note of the time and write down the numbers of any cars parked which you do not recognise. It might help the police if a burglary was taking place, if not no harm done.

Burnt Ash Library Coffee Morning 20th Feb

For more details visit the library or contact the librarians on 020 8460 3405 or by email at burntash.library@bromley.gov.uk

Young People’s Library Survey

During the fortnight 17 February to 2 March 2014, Bexley and Bromley Library Services will be undertaking a Young People’s library survey in all our libraries. They want to find out what children and young people think of the library service provided for them, and any recommendations they have as to how the service can be improved.

All children and young people up to 16 years of age will be asked to complete a simple questionnaire, asking them about their usage of the library and their satisfaction with core services. Parents and carers should complete the form for children aged 0-7yrs. If older children are unable to complete a questionnaire themselves, their parents/carers or library staff can help them. Help will be given to anyone who has difficulty completing the questionnaire.

It is important that parents and carers are fully informed about the survey and the survey will be available in all the libraries and through local media. Being half term week this is a good time to encourage your children to visit our local (Burnt Ash) Library

If you would like to know more about this project, then please speak to your local library or contact Frances Mason, Children and Families Manager, Shared Library Service (Bexley and Bromley) email: frances.mason@bexley.gov.uk or telephone 020 3045 4538.

Update on Burnt Ash Lane Roadworks 3.30pm 17th Feb

Two of the serious pieces of machinery which will resurface the road now parked in Briary Gardens all ready to start tomorrow.

Resurfacing of Burnt Ash Lane beginning 18th February

The section of Burnt Ash Lane between Kynaston Road and Welbeck Road is due to be resurfaced starting on 17th February. Sign at the beginning and end of the section give the dates as 18th to 28th February and there are already some ominous "spray can" markings on the kerbs.

It is likely that there will be temporary traffic lights while the works are carried out with the accompanying congestion of traffic. This will mean that even more traffic than usual will divert and use Ridgeway Drive and New Street Hill as a rat run. Members in the affected streets can expect more of the kind of incidents shown below:-

Have your cameras ready.

Classic Film Club St Andrews Church, Burnt Ash Lane 20th February

 The Cruel Sea  (1953)

Starring  Jack Hawkins (Actor), Donald Sinden (Actor), Charles Frend 

Director Alexander Mackendrick

The novel The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat was an unflinching portrayal of life at sea during WWII on a boat tasked with protecting convoys and seeking and destroying U-boats. Nominated for a BAFTA for Best British Film, The Cruel Sea stars Jack Hawkins, Sir Donald Sinden and Stanley Baker, and is a gripping insight into the lives of unsung heroes at sea during the war, and the agonizing decisions and incredible peril they faced on a daily basis.

Thursday 20th February 2014

 Doors open at 6.45pm film show at 7.00pm

Cost - a £2 minimum donation per person is suggested to include refreshments at the interval.
For more information ring:-
Brian at James Harper 020 8464 0080
Rev'd Angela King      020 8313 3434
Rev'd Liz Davis           020 6460 4672

National Libraries Day 8th February

Saturday 8 February 2014 is National Libraries Day. It rounds off a week’s worth of celebrations in school, college, university, workplace and public libraries across the UK.

Why not visit our local library while it is still open. 

For more details of the National Libraries Day Community visit the website at :- http://www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/

Another burglary and car theft in Ridgeway Drive

Between 12.30am and 2am last night (2nd February) thieves broke in to a house half way along Ridgeway Drive. They broke in through the front door while the residents were asleep upstairs. They took a handbag which they later dumped further along the road. During the break in they got hold of the keys to the residents car which they stole. The advice is to take your mobile phone and your car keys, including any spares, upstairs when you go to bed. I am repeating the advice leaflet distributed following the recent burglary in the road on 17th January.