Key Points
- The London Borough of Bromley has unveiled emerging plans to build 44 affordable homes on Poverest Road, Orpington, on the site of the disused Poverest Adult Education Centre.
- The development is part of the council’s ‘Bromley Homes for Bromley People’ programme, aimed at delivering affordable housing on manageable sites across the borough.
- The adult education services will transition to a new delivery model from summer 2027, relocating courses to alternative venues including the Kentwood Adult Education Centre and local libraries.
- The housing will consist entirely of affordable units, including two- to four-bedroom homes and accessible properties, to be let by the council’s housing service to Bromley residents on the housing register.
- Public engagement sessions are scheduled for 27 October, 29 October, and 1 November 2025 at Poverest Primary School, with online feedback also available.
- A £1.8 million tender has been launched for a multi-disciplinary consultancy team to deliver design and technical services for the project, with contract dates estimated from 9 July 2025 to 31 March 2028.
- A separate pipeline notice estimates the construction contract value at £22.8 million (including VAT), with works expected to run from 1 June 2026 to 1 June 2028.
- The site is designated as Urban Open Space, raising potential planning and environmental considerations.
- The project includes public realm improvements such as upgrades to Tillingbourne Green Playground and Poverest Park playground, alongside tree retention and improved access to Poverest Primary School.
- Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, stated the development will help reduce reliance on costly temporary accommodation for homeless families.
Inverted Pyramid
Plans for 44 new affordable homes on Poverest Road in Orpington have been formally proposed by the London Borough of Bromley, marking a significant step in the council’s ongoing ‘Bromley Homes for Bromley People’ programme. The development, set on the site of the soon-to-be-relocated Poverest Adult Education Centre, will deliver 100% affordable housing, including accessible homes, with construction potentially beginning in mid-2026. As reported by the council’s official communications team in a 9 October 2025 announcement, the project aims to address the borough’s housing shortage while reducing costs associated with temporary accommodation for homeless families. Residents are invited to attend public engagement sessions in late October and early November 2025 to review the proposals and provide feedback, with a £1.8 million consultancy tender already underway and a £22.8 million construction contract expected to be launched in early 2026.
What is the scope of the Poverest Road affordable housing project?
As reported by the London Borough of Bromley in its official news release on 9 October 2025, the Poverest Road project will deliver 44 affordable homes on the site of the current Poverest Adult Education Centre, which will cease operations at its present location from summer 2027. The housing mix will include two- to four-bedroom properties, with specific provision for accessible homes to meet diverse community needs. According to the council’s statement, all units will be designated as affordable and will be allocated to Bromley residents on the housing register through the council’s housing service. The project is designed to be fully integrated into the local community, with improvements planned for Tillingbourne Green Playground and Poverest Park playground, alongside a landscape-led design that prioritises the retention of existing trees on site. The council also highlighted that vehicular and pedestrian access to Poverest Primary School will be enhanced as part of the development.
How is the council managing the transition of adult education services?
The relocation of adult education services from the Poverest site is a key prerequisite for the housing development. As confirmed by the council’s announcement, the adult education programme will adopt a new delivery model from summer 2027, with courses dispersed across alternative locations in the borough. These include the dedicated Kentwood Adult Education Centre and various council facilities such as libraries, ensuring continued access to lifelong learning opportunities for residents. The decision to repurpose the Poverest site reflects a strategic shift in how the council utilises its property portfolio to meet pressing housing needs, while maintaining essential community services in adapted forms.
What are the financial and procurement details of the development?
The project is progressing through formal procurement channels, with two key notices published on the Find a Tender service. As detailed in the tender notice DN771889 published on 21 April 2025, the council is seeking a multi-disciplinary consultancy team to provide design and technical services for the project, with an estimated contract value of £2.16 million including VAT. The services required include architecture, landscape design, engineering, planning, transport consultancy, ecology, and acoustic consultancy, with the contract expected to run from 9 July 2025 to 31 March 2028. A separate pipeline notice, published on 21 May 2025, outlines the upcoming construction phase, estimating the works contract value at £22.8 million including VAT, with a projected duration of two years from 1 June 2026. These figures underscore the scale of the investment and the structured, phased approach the council is taking to deliver the development.
When and how can residents engage with the proposals?
Public consultation is a central component of the planning process. As announced by the council, residents can attend three in-person engagement sessions at Poverest Primary School on 27 October (11am–4pm), 29 October (5pm–7pm), and 1 November (9am–12pm) 2025. In addition to these events, the council will make the proposals available online during the consultation period, allowing residents to view plans and submit feedback via a digital platform. This dual approach ensures broad accessibility and encourages community participation in shaping the final design. The council has emphasised the importance of resident input, noting that feedback will inform the refinement of the proposals before any formal planning application is submitted.
How does this project fit into Bromley’s wider housing strategy?
The Poverest Road development is one of several initiatives under the council’s ‘Bromley Homes for Bromley People’ programme. As stated by Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, the project is part of a broader effort to deliver high-quality, affordable homes across the borough on manageable sites. The councillor noted that recent developments have already been completed in West Wickham, with ongoing projects in Orpington, Bromley, and Beckenham. The programme is driven by the urgent need to address the borough’s housing shortage, particularly the high costs associated with the statutory duty to house homeless families in temporary accommodation. By developing council-owned land for affordable housing, the council aims to reduce these costs while providing long-term homes for local residents. This strategy aligns with wider government commitments to affordable housing, including the recently announced £39 billion, 10-year programme targeting 300,000 new homes.
