Plans have been submitted to Bromley Council by AP Design Solutions for the transformation of an industrial site. The proposal involves demolishing an existing facility and constructing ten single-storey holiday lodges.
Project Overview
The site in question is located at The Hollies on Berrys Green Road in Westerham. This area is categorized as a commercial and industrial brownfield site within the Metropolitan Green Belt, bordering Bromley and Kent.
Details of the Holiday Lodges
- The development will feature 10 static, single-storey lodges.
- Each lodge will have either two or three bedrooms.
- Open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas will be included.
- Each unit will have a bathroom, totaling approximately 334 square meters of floorspace.
The proposed lodges will operate for up to 11 months annually, catering to short-stay trips. In addition, the plan aims to eliminate over 2,400 square meters of tarmac and gravel, returning this area to grass and landscaping while retaining minimal hard surfaces for parking and access.
Environmental and Traffic Considerations
The developers argue that this project is better suited to the rural context. It aims to reduce noise and commercial activity by removing the existing industrial structures.
- Current industrial use generates about 15 vehicle movements daily.
- The holiday lodges are expected to produce a similar or lower number of vehicle movements.
A transport assessment included in the application reviewed accident data from 2019 to 2023, finding no personal injury collisions in the vicinity. The applicant asserts that these lodges will be quieter, mainly concentrating vehicle activity during the day and early evening.
Community Impact
Planning documents indicate that the lodges will be strategically positioned to provide privacy and avoid overlooking neighboring properties. The proposal ensures that there will be no significant loss of daylight, privacy, or residential amenity for surrounding homes.
Additional provisions in the plans include new foul drainage systems and enhanced surface water management strategies. Access to the site will remain via Berrys Green Road.
