Hundreds of residents banded together to protest against plans to build thousands of houses on a beloved slice of green belt land.
Around 500 people took part in an organised walk across Bromley Common on Sunday (March 22) to oppose Berkeley Homes’ proposals to erect 2,200 homes on fields surrounding Bromley Football Club and Norman Park.
Berkeley said it was aware of the “significant interest” from the public in its proposals, and it has released updated plans for the Ravensbourne Place project.
The housing developer has also reiterated its commitment to delivering a new health centre as well as 37 acres of publicly accessible open space.
Sunday’s event was organised by campaign group Keep Bromley Green, which formed in opposition to the firm’s proposal last November.
It was set up by Michelle Brinkley and Colleen Dunphy, who both own horses that graze on the fields at Hayes Farm on the Ravensbourne development site.
Shirley resident Michelle has had horses on the fields for 40 years, while Colleen, from Catford, has been using the land for 15 years.
The women first thought something was amiss when various surveyors began to visit the area unexpectedly.
It wasn’t long before they received correspondence from their landlord stating that if the 2,200 homes get planning permission, all field users will have three months to vacate the land and move their horses.
Michelle said: “I’ve never thought there was a possibility that we would lose it. It’s beautiful, and it’s like being in the heart of Bromley but not, because you’re in the countryside. That’s why I love it so much.”
Both women were driven to set up the campaign by their love of horses. Around 300 horses currently graze on the fields, and if the homes are approved, many horse owners will struggle to find suitable paddocks close by to rehome their beloved animals.
Colleen fears that some horses may have to be put down due to their age if they have to move. She said: “Some of the horses here are so elderly. They are like 35 and would not be able to be rehomed.
“They would not be able to travel, make the journey, and they wouldn’t be able to settle into a new home because they were born and raised here. So they would ultimately, sadly, be put to sleep.”
After discovering the Ravensbourne proposal, the women decided to team up to fight it.
They began posting flyers around Bromley, speaking to people on doorsteps and setting up a petition which reached 7,000 signatures in a week. The petition has now been signed by more than 11,000 people.
Although horses are the chief concern of Colleen and Michelle, they and other Bromley residents opposed to Ravensbourne fear that building houses on so much green belt land will be a tragic loss for the area.
Objectors feel that traffic problems will also arise with such a massive influx of new residents, as well as put extra pressure on already stretched public services.
Colleen said: “People are so up in arms and so passionate because they love living here. They paid good money for those houses to have this. They don’t want it changed.”
Sunday’s protest event was attended by around 500 people. The morning began with speeches from activists in the field where Colleen keeps her horses, before the large group took part in a walk through Norman Park and the surrounding green space.
Colleen and Michelle both said they were shocked by the number of people who attended to support Keep Bromley Green.
Michelle said: “It went really well. We didn’t anticipate how many people would support us. We were overwhelmed.”
Local politicians from across the political spectrum took part in the walk and also gave speeches voicing their support for the campaign.
Bromley and Biggin Hill MP Peter Fortune called the Ravensbourne Place project a “significant threat” to Bromley.
He said: “We are still in London, but this is a rural environment and our green belt is really important to us.
“The idea of coming in and just concreting over one of the lungs of London in order to hit the housing target that the Mayor has missed; I just think it is irresponsible.”
Meanwhile, Bromley Council leader Colin Smith said it is “very important” to protect Bromley’s “special” green belt that he himself has been walking across for 45 years.
He added: “We’ve enjoyed it. It’s vital that our children and their children get to enjoy it, and that’s why everyone is showing it’s worth keeping.”
In response to Sunday’s protest, a Berkeley spokesperson said: “We are aware of the significant interest in our plans for Ravensbourne Place.
“We have been engaging with the local community and key stakeholders to help shape our plans, and we are committed to continuing this engagement throughout the planning process.
“There are more than 3,000 households on Bromley’s housing register, and our plans would deliver around 2,200 new family homes, with 50% being affordable homes.
“The proposals also include a new health centre to meet future demand and current pressures, as well as 15 hectares of publicly accessible open space.”
Berkeley Homes has said that Ravensbourne Place will bring “traditional family homes, public parks and riverside walks” to an area “currently largely inaccessible to the public”.
With a focus on larger, family-size homes, half of the 2,200 properties built will be affordable.
Despite wanting to build on green belt land, Berkeley said a “major investment in nature” is at the heart of its proposal.
Alongside thousands of homes, the developer will create a new riverside park that will increase public access to the River Ravensbourne, which is mostly surrounded by privately owned fields.
Berkeley has also committed to protecting existing mature trees and hedgerows across the development site, as well as providing “new habitats and green corridors to support biodiversity” and investment in new public facilities at Norman Park.
The developer was also keen to stress that it will deliver a new GP surgery and accompanying health services during the first phase of the Ravensbourne project, if it is approved.
A Berkeley spokesperson added: “Ravensbourne Place is about giving families a genuine opportunity to build their future in Bromley.
“We know how strong the demand is for well-designed, affordable family homes, and these plans respond directly to what local people told us matters most.
“By delivering new homes alongside a modern health centre, usable green spaces and early community infrastructure, we’re creating a neighbourhood that will work from day one.”
Berkeley is yet to reveal its final plans for Ravensbourne Place. It has engaged with the public at various online and in-person events, using feedback to develop its proposal before submitting a full planning application to Bromley Council.