Bromley
Planning & Building Contacts

Over 50 conservation areas protect historic village centres and suburban streets. The Green Belt is a fundamental constraint limiting development in the southern half of the borough. Crystal Palace Park (Grade II* registered) has a complex planning history and sits at the northern boundary. Biggin Hill Airport creates operational safeguarding constraints and Public Safety Zone requirements for nearby residential development. Chislehurst, Orpington and Petts Wood have significant conservation area designations.

Building regulations approval is required for most structural work, extensions, loft conversions, new windows and heating system changes. You may use either the council's own building control service or a private Approved Inspector. For listed buildings, building control must be coordinated with Listed Building Consent requirements.

Crystal Palace Park (Grade II* registered park and garden) is the borough's most significant historic designed landscape, though the historic Palace structure no longer survives. The borough has over 50 conservation areas including historic village centres at Chislehurst, Downe, Keston and Biggin Hill. Charles Darwin's home, Down House, is a short distance over the boundary in Downe village. Listed building numbers are significant across the borough's many Victorian and Edwardian suburbs. Listed Building Consent is required in addition to planning permission for any works to a listed building that would affect its special architectural or historic interest, including internal works.

Flood risk in Bromley is primarily from the Rivers Ravensbourne, Cray, Pool and their tributaries. Properties in the Bromley, Beckenham, Penge and Orpington areas near these watercourses should be checked carefully. The borough is Lead Local Flood Authority for surface water flooding, which is a significant issue given the large impermeable suburban areas draining to relatively small watercourses.