Bromley Council Weighs Plan for Holiday Lodges on Green Belt Land in Westerham

Key facts

• AP Design Solutions submitted plans to Bromley Council for ten holiday lodges on green belt land in Westerham.
• The proposed site is The Hollies in Berrys Green Road, a brownfield site within the Metropolitan Green Belt on the Bromley-Kent border.
• The development would demolish existing industrial structures totaling 297 square metres and 60.5 square metres of plant and machinery.
• The ten lodges would be single-storey, offering two or three bedrooms, with a combined floorspace of about 334 square metres.
• More than 2,400 square metres of tarmac and gravel would be removed and returned to grass and landscaped areas.
• The lodges would operate for up to 11 months per year, targeting short-stay trips.
• A transport assessment found no personal injury collisions in the immediate area between 2019 and 2023.
• Current industrial use generates around 15 vehicle movements per day, including vans and commercial traffic.

A Proposal to Transform a Brownfield Site

Developers have applied to Bromley Council for permission to build ten holiday lodges on green belt land in Westerham, a move that would replace an existing industrial site with tourist accommodation. The application, submitted by AP Design Solutions, targets The Hollies in Berrys Green Road, a commercial and industrial brownfield site situated within the Metropolitan Green Belt on the border of Bromley and Kent. The plans call for the demolition of current industrial structures measuring around 297 square metres, along with 60.5 square metres of plant and machinery. In their place, ten static, single-storey lodges would be erected, each offering either two or three bedrooms, an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, and a bathroom. The combined floorspace of the lodges would be approximately 334 square metres. The developers argue that the demolition of the industrial site would reduce noise and commercial activity, remove visually intrusive structures, and provide a more appropriate use of the land in keeping with its rural surroundings. The lodges would operate for up to 11 months of the year and be aimed at short-stay trips.

Environmental and Access Considerations

A significant element of the proposal is the removal of more than 2,400 square metres of tarmac and gravel, which would be returned to grass and landscaped. Only limited hardstanding would be retained for parking and access roads. This change is intended to enhance the site's environmental profile and better integrate it into the green belt landscape. Access to the site would remain via Berrys Green Road, according to the planning documents. A transport assessment included with the application reviewed accident data between 2019 and 2023 and found no recorded personal injury collisions in the immediate area. the existing industrial use generates around 15 vehicle movements per day, including vans and other commercial traffic, implying that the holiday lodges could potentially reduce or alter traffic patterns.

Green Belt Policy and Local Context

The application raises questions about the future of green belt land in the Bromley area. The Metropolitan Green Belt is a protected area designed to prevent urban sprawl, and development there is generally restricted. However, brownfield sites within the green belt can sometimes be considered for redevelopment if the new use is deemed more appropriate. The Hollies site is currently used for commercial and industrial purposes, which the developers argue is less suitable for a rural setting than tourist accommodation. The proposal must be weighed against local planning policies that prioritize preserving the openness of the green belt. Bromley Council will have to decide whether the holiday lodges constitute an acceptable form of development that does not harm the purposes of the green belt.

What Comes Next

Bromley Council is now reviewing the application and will consider public comments and expert assessments before making a decision. The outcome could set a precedent for similar proposals on green belt brownfield sites in the region. If approved, the development would mark a shift from industrial to tourism use on the border of Bromley and Kent. The planning process will involve consultations with local residents and stakeholders, and the council's planning committee will ultimately vote on the application. The developers have not indicated a timeline for when a decision is expected, but such applications typically take several months to process.

The bottom line

• AP Design Solutions seeks permission to build ten holiday lodges on green belt land in Westerham, replacing an industrial site.
• The site, The Hollies, is a brownfield within the Metropolitan Green Belt on the Bromley-Kent border.
• The development would remove over 2,400 square metres of hardstanding and add 334 square metres of lodge floorspace.
• The lodges would operate for up to 11 months a year, targeting short-stay tourists.
• A transport assessment found no recent injury collisions on the access road, and current traffic is low.
• Bromley Council's decision will hinge on green belt policy and the suitability of the proposed use.