At the 2nd November meeting of Bromley Council’s Development Control Committee, Councillors of all three parties voted to approve for use the Beckenham High Street Shop Fronts Design Guide.

This Guide had been brought before the Committee by Conservative Ward Councillors, Michael Tickner and Stephen Wells.  Voting in favour was unanimous, following an eloquent presentation of the need for the Guide and its authoritative quality by Cllr Michael Tickner, and some heavy lobbying by Cllr Steve Wells.

The Guide will now be available on the Council website to aid shop owners and tenants in Beckenham’s High Street Conservation Area to make Planning Applications if they want to alter their shop fronts.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Tickner said: 

“I’m very pleased we got this important Guide approved with all-party support, despite procrastination and vocal opposition from Bromley’s bureaucratic planning officers.

“It will be a real help to businesses in Beckenham High Street if they plan to alter the appearance of their premises and local Councillors will certainly use it in assessing any changes to frontages in the High Street Conservation Area.”

Cllr Wells added:

“Michael and I would very much like to thank all those responsible for the production of the Guide, particularly John Parker, David Wood, Marie Pender and Colin Hughes, as well as the Beckenham Town Centre Team, The Beckenham Society, Beckenham Business Association and the residents’ associations of West Beckenham, Copers Cope Area and Park Langley. It was a very successful collective effort.”