The decision to relocate Bromley’s Central Library from Churchill’s Theatre to 145 High Street has gone down well with residents and local businesses. Neighbours are happy to see the old Topshop retail unit repurposed, with businesses in the surrounding area forecasting higher revenue due to increased footfall from library visitors.
As part of this move, changes are also being made to the storage of the Bromley Historic Collections (BHC).
Bromley Council approves plans for £3.9m Warehouse in Priory Gardens
Artist’s rendition of the new museum and archive store
Currently, the Borough’s museum and art collection is stored in Orpington and the Archive in Bromley Central Library. Under the approved plans, these collections will all be brought together at the Orpington site in a new purpose-built store which will safeguard and preserve Bromley’s heritage.
If the decision to relocate the central library was well received, plans to build a dedicated museum and archive store in Priory Gardens were anything but. With 112 formal objections and 3,122 signatures on a petition protesting the plans, residents are worried about the loss of biodiversity, increased traffic, degradation in the local landscape and the missed opportunity to build a space that better serves Orpington High Street and the wider community.
In the planning statement attached to the initial application, the London Borough of Bromley states the following. “The replacement archive, museum and art building will support public access to historical materials via appointments at Bromley Central Library, and special events including Open House and Heritage Open Days.
The provision of the replacement archive, museum, and art building will preserve the Borough’s heritage records and objects, ensuring that records of strong local interest remain preserved to national standards, are accessible for public research, and support the long-term safeguarding of Bromley’s cultural heritage.
Existing archive store at Bromley Central Library
Part of the Site will be converted into public parkland, increasing the amount of publicly accessible open space, and the community planting area (known as Friends Growing Space) will be retained. This Planning Statement demonstrates the Proposed Development complies with the Development Plan when viewed as a whole”.
The Proposed Development will deliver several key public benefits as follows:
Temporary jobs during the construction stage; • Biodiversity net gain of 39% for habitat units and 460% for hedgerow units.
Optimisation of the development potential of the Site in line with the NPPF and London Plan objectives.
Provision of purpose-built replacement archive, museum and art storage building, ensuring LBB meets its statutory requirements and retains its accreditation status with The National Archive as a Place of Deposit and Museum Accreditation which is awarded by the Arts Council England
Opportunity for public access to historical materials via appointments at Bromley Central Library, special events including Open House and Heritage Open Days, and school visits on site, utilising the outdoor shelter.
A high-quality design that will significantly enhance the Site’s appearance.
Increased quantum of publicly accessible open space within Priory Gardens
Retained community planting area (Friends Growing Space) with new tool storage;
Opportunity for the facility to be made available to support learning opportunities, such as visits by schools and interest groups.
New toilet available during opening hours for use in connection with the archive, museum and art building and the Friends Growing Space
