The Development Control Committee meeting scheduled for 14 January 2026 was set to discuss a significant planning application for Flamingo Park Club in Chislehurst, alongside the adoption of the Bromley Statement of Community Involvement 2026 and appointments to Plans Sub-Committees.

Flamingo Park Club, Sidcup Bypass Road, Chislehurst

A key item on the agenda was the planning application (17/04478/RECON) for Flamingo Park Club, located on the Sidcup Bypass Road in Chislehurst. This application sought to vary conditions attached to a previous planning permission granted in 2019 for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a new football ground, including a clubhouse, stands, a floodlit artificial playing pitch, external grass sports pitches, and 42 residential dwellings.

The current application proposed changes to the tenure of the housing element, moving from 100% affordable housing to 100% market sale. It also sought to amend the phasing plan to allow the residential development to proceed independently of the football ground's completion and to remove some previously agreed financial contributions. The report pack indicated that the original scheme was considered to be inappropriate development within the Green Belt, requiring Very Special Circumstances to be demonstrated. The proposed amendments aimed to address viability issues, with a viability assessment suggesting that the scheme could not support affordable housing. The report noted that the provision of 16 affordable housing units (Social Rented) would represent 38% by unit number, falling short of the London Plan's threshold. Additionally, the application sought to vary the wording of several conditions that had already been discharged.

The report also detailed the findings of two appeal decisions concerning electric vehicle charging spaces at the Flamingo Park Club site, which had been allowed by an Inspector. These appeals related to applications for the formation of 16 electric vehicle charging spaces, with associated chargers, substations, and canopies or wing structures. The Inspector's decision noted that the appeal site comprised previously developed land and was considered to be Grey Belt land, and that the proposed developments would not cause substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt.

Adoption of the Bromley Statement of Community Involvement 2026

The committee was scheduled to consider the adoption of the Bromley Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) 2026. This document is a statutory requirement for local planning authorities and outlines how the council will engage and consult with the local community and other stakeholders on planning matters, including the preparation of planning policy documents and decision-making on planning applications. The current SCI was adopted in 2016 and needed updating to reflect changes in policy, legislation, and best practice. The proposed SCI detailed consultation methods for planning policy documents, advice for neighbourhood planning, and procedures for consulting on planning applications. A consultation on the draft SCI took place between 1 October and 12 November 2025, with 14 responses received.

Appointments to Plans Sub-Committees

The meeting also included a report on appointments to the Plans Sub-Committees. Following changes to the overall political balance of the Council after a meeting on 8 December 2025, vacancies had arisen on both Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 and Plans Sub-Committee No. 2. Nominations had been sought from the Conservative and Labour groups to fill these vacancies, with recommendations to appoint a Conservative Member to Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 and a Labour Member to Plans Sub-Committee No. 2.