The battle to save Poverest Adult Education Centre (BAEC) in Orpington reaches the Court of Appeal following a legal challenge by Bidmans law firm. The law firm was appointed by Jerome*, a 36-year-old man with moderate to severe learning disabilities. Jerome attended classes at the BAEC for 14 years and argues that Bromley Council failed to follow the correct procedure before deciding to close the centre.
Jerome* successfully argued in the High Court that Bromley Council should have consulted the students, their families and their carers before making their decision. Despite the argument, the High Court Judicial Review was unsuccessful, with the judge stating it was “highly likely” the outcome would not have changed had a lawful consultation taken place.
Following the unsuccessful High Court judicial review, the Claimant appealed to the Court of Appeal with a hearing date set for the 8th June 2026. The latest development means senior judges are now considering whether Bromley Council acted lawfully when deciding to shut the facility. The proceedings were livestreamed on YouTube. The London Borough of Bromley opposes the appeal, with the court’s decision due in a few weeks.
Why is the centre being closed?
Bromley Council submitted a planning application on 12/12/2025 for 44 new affordable homes at the Poverest Centre as part of their Bromley Homes for Bromley People programme. The new homes will be a mix of affordable and social rent homes. The application includes the demolition of the existing adult education centre and the relocation of its services to Penge. Alongside the new homes, the proposed demolition will make for resident parking, cycle parking, EV charging points and the creation of green spaces.
Alongside the legal challenge, local residents opposed to the planning application say the stated plans will lead to overcrowding in the area, as the proposed site is too small for the number of planned houses. Local residents are also concerned about the impact on pollution and local traffic. Sherborne Road, Church Hill Wood and Tillingbourne Green are increasingly difficult to navigate because many motorists use them to avoid Petts Wood Roundabout.
A decision on the planning application will be made in July 2026.
