Plans for Belmarsh-like Archive in Priory Gardens Set for Approval 2026

Key Points

• Bromley Council plans to construct a £3.9 million, 630m² one-storey archive and museum storage facility in Priory Gardens, Orpington, at the north end of Orpington High Street.​
• The facility would replace an existing museum and art store and a park maintenance building within a depot site, bringing the borough’s entire museum and art collection under one roof.
• Plans are recommended for approval by council officers and will be discussed at the Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 meeting on 19 February 2026.
• Objectors compare the proposed design to Belmarsh Prison, calling it a ‘desecration’ of the park and a ‘warehouse’ that harms green space and biodiversity.
• The council argues the facility provides a purpose-built, modern, compliant replacement, enhancing public access to heritage resources and securing the long-term future of archives.​
• Cost is estimated at £3.9 million, with landscaping improvements, retention of mature trees, and return of unrequired depot land to the park.
• Public engagement sessions were held in June 2025 at the depot, with online comments invited to inform the planning application (ref: 25/05351/FPA).
• A Change.org petition against the plans has garnered over 1,781 signatures (as of latest data), urging alternatives like a community garden hub instead of a ‘closed-off’ warehouse.
• Councillor Yvonne Bear stated the plans preserve heritage without diminishing the park’s beauty on an underused site.​
• Critics highlight no statutory requirement for the build in the park, larger size (over 3x existing), high security fences, traffic increase, and loss during fox breeding season.​
• The depot site is described as underused, previously for park operations but no longer.​

Orpington (South London News) February 14, 2026 – Controversial plans to build a £3.9 million museum archive in Priory Gardens are poised for approval next week, despite fierce opposition likening the structure to Belmarsh Prison. Bromley Council seeks to consolidate its museum and art collections into a single, modern facility at the depot in the north end of Orpington High Street, replacing outdated stores. Officers recommend approval at the 19 February Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 meeting, emphasising long-term heritage preservation.

What is the proposed archive facility in Priory Gardens?

The new one-storey building would span 630m² and cost approximately £3.9 million to construct, according to council documents cited in MyLondon reporting. It aims to serve as a “purpose-built, modern, and compliant replacement” for the current museum and art store, plus a park maintenance structure, all on the existing depot site. As detailed in Bromley Council’s official announcement, the facility would establish a controlled environment with fire protection and humidity control to safeguard historic items, fulfilling statutory duties.​

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal Recreation and Housing, stated in the council’s May 2025 press release: “It is important that we take the necessary steps to preserve our heritage, with these plans ensuring important local relics of our past remain available to residents as needed long into the future.” The project ties into relocating Bromley Central Library to the High Street, where a museum display would showcase items supported by this expanded store.​

Why does Bromley Council support the Priory Gardens archive plans?

Bromley Council believes the facility will

“significantly enhance public access to heritage resources”

by centralising the borough’s collections under one roof. The site, next to the much-loved Priory Gardens, is currently underused—no longer for park operations—and was selected after examining options borough-wide, confirmed by the Executive earlier in 2025.

As reported by Bromley Council in their news article, works include landscaping enhancements, retaining all mature trees, and greening unrequired depot land to return it to the park for public enjoyment. Public engagement sessions occurred on 18 June (12pm-2pm) and 21 June (10am-12pm) 2025 at the depot, with project teams answering questions; online feedback shaped the planning application. Councillor Bear added:

“I encourage interested residents to join the engagement sessions to find accurate details about these plans, which will in no way diminish the beauty of the adjacent much-loved park but will fulfil an important function for the entire of the borough on a currently underused site.”​

What objections have been raised against the Belmarsh-like facility?

Objectors decry the design as resembling Belmarsh Prison, labelling it a ‘desecration’ of the park and “disgusting cultural vandalism,” per MyLondon and social media discussions. A Change.org petition titled “Say No to the £3.9 million Warehouse in Priory Gardens,” created 17 April 2025, has 1,781 signatures, calling it a “massive warehouse” next to Grade II-listed Priory Gardens that tarnishes serenity and deprives community space.

Petition organisers argue:

“The proposed development is not a like-for-like replacement… It is a large warehouse, over 3 x bigger, a different material use, bringing traffic, hard surfacing, high security fences, and loss of biodiversity into the heart of our historic park.”

They note bulldozers flattened a fox den during breeding season and question:

“There is no statutory requirement for Bromley Council to build this new £4 million archive warehouse — and certainly not in Priory Gardens.”​

Facebook groups echo this, with posts stating: “STOP Bromley Councils proposal to build a storage archive warehouse in the Priory Gardens Orpington at a cost of over 3.9 million.” Supporters comment: “Priory gardens is a site of historical value, as well as home to wildlife… How dare the council try and sneak through plans,” and “Priory Gardens is a valuable community space: Bromley Council should protect it, not build warehouses!”​

When and where will the decision on the archive plans be made?

The proposal faces Bromley Council’s Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 on Thursday, 19 February 2026, at 7:00 pm. Officers recommend approval, as noted in Open Council Network previews and MyLondon. The planning reference is 25/05351/FPA, with objections urged via the council portal.

What alternatives do objectors suggest for Priory Gardens?

The Change.org petition proposes a “Community Garden Hub” with a children’s crèche, educational centre, and garden for workshops, business collaborations, and social interaction. It claims: “Such a hub… has the potential to foster a collective sense of belonging, strengthen community ties, and enrich lives in Bromley Borough.” Critics ask why the old Churchill Library cannot store archives, calling the warehouse a “total waste of… council tax payers money.”​

Petition updates mention emailing all Bromley Councillors and party leaders, seeking Ward Councillor Kim Botting’s support for questions at meetings, and aiming for collaborative solutions without sacrificing parkland. One update reads:

“We want to work together with Bromley Council to find a solution that delivers a secure new archive facility without building on Priory Gardens.”​

How has public engagement shaped the archive controversy?

Early engagement in June 2025 invited residents to sessions and online comments, per council releases. However, objectors claim:

“The public were never asked if this proposal was ‘welcomed’ we were only asked if you ‘like how it looks’ pushing the plans forward as a ‘done deal’.”

The petition highlights Pokémon Go communities using the park, drawing 1,000+ from London and Kent, underscoring its recreational value.

Bromley Times coverage via MyLondon notes the council’s hope for securing archives’ future against objectors’ desecration fears. Social media amplifies calls to object, with over 2,500 signatures referenced earlier (now 1,781 verified), dedicated Facebook pages, and shares.

What is the historical context of Priory Gardens and Orpington archives?

Priory Gardens, Grade II English Heritage site, lies at Orpington High Street’s north end, valued for history, wildlife, and as the town’s beauty spot. Archives previously at Churchill Library need controlled storage; the depot replaces underused facilities. Orpington 1st notes past planning docs highlighting Priory Gardens’ opportunities, adopted 2023.

This debate pits heritage preservation against green space protection in a borough facing budget pressures, as per Open Council notes. As the 19 February meeting looms, tensions rise between council duties and resident desires for Priory Gardens’ future.