2,200‑Home Green Belt Plan Divides Bromley Residents in 2026

Key Points

• Berkeley Homes has submitted a planning application to Bromley Council for Ravensbourne Place, a 2,200-home development on green belt land between Bromley and Hayes.
• The proposal includes 50 per cent affordable housing (around 1,000 homes), split between rented and intermediate tenures, plus new public green space, a health centre and transport improvements.
• Local opposition is intense: an e‑petition against the scheme has gathered more than 11,500 signatures, with residents describing the plan as “evil”, “awful”, and saying it made them “physically sick”.
• Supporters welcome the scale of affordable housing and the承诺 to open up previously private land for public access and recreation.
• The development would be built in four phases from 2028 to 2049, with the first phase of 578 homes including one‑ to five‑bedroom properties and parking provision.
• Bromley Council has previously signalled a hard line against inappropriate green belt housing schemes, though Ravensbourne Place is argued by the developer to align with national “grey belt” policy.

Bromley (South London News) July 27, 2026 –As reported by journalists at the Evening Standard, Berkeley Homes has lodged a hybrid planning application with Bromley Council for Ravensbourne Place, a large‑scale development on land surrounding Norman Park and Bromley Football Club, much of it currently used as horse paddocks.

The proposal covers two neighbourhood clusters—Bromley Gate to the north, described as more compact and urban, and Hayes Mead to the south, planned with a “softer, greener” village character—and would be built in four phases between 2028 and 2049, beginning with 578 homes in the first phase.

Who is behind the 2,200‑home green belt scheme in Bromley?

Berkeley Homes is the developer behind Ravensbourne Place, a project it says will deliver “substantial benefits” to Bromley through thousands of new homes, half designated as affordable, alongside upgraded public access to green space and new community facilities.

The company has outlined that the scheme would create 50 acres of new public green space, including new pathways, parks, play areas, community allotments and orchards, while also improving pedestrian and cycling links around the site.

As reported by the Evening Standard, the application includes plans for a new community health centre to be located between Bromley Football Club and Hayes Lane, as well as financial contributions to upgrade existing facilities in Norman Park such as playgrounds, sports pavilions, outdoor gyms, seating and picnic areas.

What are residents saying about the Ravensbourne Place proposals?

Opposition to the scheme has been vocal and sustained. As reported by the News Shopper, more than 80 residents were expected to take part in a public walk in protest against the proposals, with campaigners arguing that protected green belt land should not be lost to housing.

An e‑petition opposing the 2,200 homes on Hayes Farm and parts of Norman Park has gathered more than 11,500 signatures, reflecting widespread local concern over the loss of green belt and pressure on infrastructure.

As reported by the Evening Standard, some Bromley residents have described the plans as “evil” and an “awful culture destroying project”, while one objector said the proposal for land between Bromley and Hayes made them feel “physically sick”.

The Standard’s coverage also notes that supporters of the plans have welcomed the provision of over 1,000 affordable homes for the borough’s residents, arguing that the scheme addresses a critical housing need.

How many affordable homes are included, and what types of housing are planned?

Berkeley Homes has stated that 50 per cent of the 2,200 homes will be affordable, equating to around 1,000 units.

As reported in community updates and local coverage, the affordable element is expected to include 750 intermediate homes and 500 rented homes secured through a Section 106 agreement with Bromley Council.

The overall mix is intended to include a high proportion of family‑sized housing, with the first phase alone offering one‑ to five‑bedroom properties, predominantly three‑ and four‑bedroom homes.

According to the detailed plans seen by the Evening Standard, all houses would come with at least one parking space, with larger homes provided with two spaces, and some larger apartments also allocated parking.

Where exactly is the development site, and how would it be phased?

The Ravensbourne Place site is located between Bromley Common, Hayes and Bromley town centre, on land off Hayes Lane and the A21 at Bromley Common that currently includes horse paddocks and areas around Norman Park and Bromley Football Club.

The masterplan shows two main clusters: Bromley Gate to the north of Norman Park, and Hayes Mead to the west and south, with new green spaces designed to connect the new neighbourhoods to the existing park.

Berkeley has set out a four‑phase delivery. As reported by the Evening Standard, the first phase would be on the southern side of Hayes Mead, just north of George Lane, followed by the second part of Hayes Mead and then Bromley Gate to the north.

Construction is hoped to begin in 2028 and continue for a further 21 years until 2049, with the first phase comprising 578 homes.

What infrastructure and community facilities are proposed?

Beyond housing, the application includes a range of community and infrastructure measures. As reported by the Evening Standard, proposals include a new health centre between Bromley Football Club and Hayes Lane, alongside upgraded access to green spaces and new recreational and community‑focused areas linking Norman Park to the new homes.

Berkeley has also committed to financial contributions to improve Norman Park’s existing facilities, including playgrounds, sports pavilions, outdoor gyms and additional seating and picnic areas.

Campaigners against the scheme, however, argue that even with these provisions the scale of development would place excessive strain on local roads, schools and health services.

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How does the council view green belt housing applications?

Bromley Council has previously taken a firm stance against what it deems inappropriate development on green belt land.

As reported by the Evening Standard, the council recently resolved to refuse a separate 350‑home green belt scheme near St Mary Cray Recreation Ground, with Cllr Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, calling it “completely inappropriate” on cherished green belt land.

In the Ravensbourne Place case, Berkeley argues that the site aligns with the government’s “grey belt” policy, which allows some development on lower‑value green belt land, while the developer also emphasises the creation of new public green space and community benefits.

What happens next in the planning process?

The full Ravensbourne Place application can be viewed on Bromley Council’s planning portal under reference 26/02199/OUT.

Local campaigners have urged residents to submit objections before the consultation deadline, with one group, Keep Bromley Green, indicating a deadline of 13 July 2026 for planning objections. Bromley Council is scheduled to make a decision on the Ravensbourne Place plans in September.

Background of the development

The Ravensbourne Place proposal emerged from a long‑standing housing pressure in south east London and national policy shifts on green belt use.

Berkeley Homes first revealed the concept last year, outlining a new neighbourhood of approximately 2,000–2,200 homes on land around Norman Park and Hayes Farm, with 50 per cent affordable housing, new public parkland and a health centre.

Initial consultations in late 2025 included public exhibitions at Bromley FC and leafleting, with the developer stating that the project would help meet Bromley’s housing need while opening up previously enclosed land for community use.

The application was formally lodged in June 2026, triggering a fresh wave of local protests, petitions and media coverage focused on the loss of green belt versus the scale of affordable housing on offer.

Prediction: How could this decision affect Bromley residents and the wider community?

If Bromley Council approves Ravensbourne Place, the immediate effect would be a substantial increase in housing supply, with around 1,000 affordable homes potentially easing pressure on the borough’s housing register and helping families priced out of the local market.

For supporters, the scheme could also deliver lasting community benefits through new public green space, a health centre and improved walking and cycling links.

However, if the scheme proceeds, nearby residents may face prolonged construction disruption, increased traffic on local roads and heightened demand on schools and GP services over the two‑decade build‑out.

A refusal could preserve the green belt character of the Hayes Farm and Norman Park area but would leave the borough’s housing targets more difficult to meet, potentially intensifying pressure on other sites and prolonging waiting times for affordable homes.