The UK’s lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues currently facing Bromley residents. Thanks to sky-high rents and a flatlining economy, an entire generation of local residents stands little-to-no chance of building a future in the community they grew up in, while the prospect of one day owning their home is becoming vanishingly small.  

Bromley Liberal Democrats are under no illusion that these issues can be solved without increasing the number of homes in the Borough. Every community across the UK needs to play their part to solve this national crisis.

But the planning policies recently pursued by the incumbent Conservative council have favoured growth at all costs, signing-off on inappropriately large developments with only a paltry number of affordable units as part of a ‘build at all costs’ mentality.

We are also faced with an uncertain future due to legislation proposed by the Labour Government which could take decision-making on development applications out of the hands of local authorities, leaving the door open for a flood of high-rise tower blocks that could permanently alter the fabric of our community.

A Liberal Democrat Council will work constructively with developers to ensure all approved development applications meet local needs, are appropriate for the area, and satisfy a wider public interest requirement. We’ll also fight hard to ensure the council’s recommended percentage of affordable homes (35%) is met in all new developments, and hold developers to account if they fail to comply.

Large developments in urban centres require substantial infrastructure to support. A Liberal Democrat Council will also campaign for more convenient transport links while investing in the local economy to build the firm foundations on which future developments can be considered.

And we’ll do far more to ensure that vacant properties currently standing empty or derelict are brought into public hands, so they can be converted into the safe and affordable homes our residents need. No Bromley family in need of a social home should have to face being moved hundreds of miles away simply to have a roof over their heads, and a Liberal Democrat council will do all it can to stop that happening.

We cannot ignore the Climate Emergency - we must minimise our environmental impact, as well as planning for the adverse impacts of climate change. There is a responsibility to reduce flood risk, cut emissions and improve air quality. New developments should meet high standards for sustainable design, increased urban greening and tackle the biodiversity loss by protecting species and habitats, and enable them to adapt to a changing climate.