Bromley Trading Standards hopes that everyone stays safe, and that your property is unaffected by the current weather conditions. If however it’s damaged:
➢ Follow the advice of the Association of British Insurers Storm Eunice – Insurance advice from the ABI – contact your Insurance Company first
➢ If you need to source a trader for urgent repairs, do as much research as you possibly can – try different traders especially if you have had a positive experience before; Check references, insurance, and membership affiliations with the claimed organisation directly – & get a written quote / contract before any work starts.
➢ Don’t deal with doorstep callers.
➢ Look out for your vulnerable neighbour.
If you or someone you know has been or is being targeted by Doorstep Criminals call Trading Standards Rapid Response on 07903 852090.
This is a wonderful initiative by the Rotary Club at Park Langley….
Don’t be alone… come & join us for a friendly chat and make new acquaintances. We are just a bunch of people ready to talk and have an hour of fun meeting new people.
EVERYONE WELCOME. JUST POP-IN. We meet every MONDAY at 10am: locations below. Starting 7th March 2022
1st Monday – Grounded, Hayes (8 Station Approach)
2nd Monday – Scott’s Kitchen, West Wickham (62 High St)
3rd Monday – Em’s Kitchen Beckenham High St (42A High Street, Beckenham)
4th Monday – Daisy Grey (96 Wickham Rd, near Chinese roundabout)
Follow signs to ROTARY CHATS in the Café. Any Queries Contact: Nolene 0777 386 4704 or Rod 0787 5141 834
The Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association and West Beckenham Residents’ Association has written to the Council in support of a planning direction that will stop empty shops being allowed to change to residential without planning permission. The government introduced a rule allowing them to in August 2021 (see here).
We think it is essential that Beckenham High Street shop-fronts cannot be changed to residential without full planning approval (which gives local people, Cllrs and the Council a say). We must protect the character, heritage and function of our High Street and any changes of shop-fronts to residential must be carefully considered. We hope the the Article 4 Direction to withdraw the Permitted Development right for changes to residential use, proposed by the Council, will be implemented quickly.
Bromley Trading Standards is reminding residents to continue to be alert to deceiving calls, messages, emails, or letters taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The NHS and Action Fraud have warned that criminals are pretending to be from the NHS to steal money, financial details, and personal information. The NHS has confirmed that it will never ask for payment or any financial details nor issue fines or penalties relating to your NHS Covid Pass.
Disappointly, despite almost 200 objections from local residents, Bromley Council has recommended for approval a planning application involving the demolition of a large Victorian house on Bromley Road, and redevelopment to private flats.
The final decision will be made by councillors at a planning committee meeting at 7pm on Thursday 20th January 2022.
Situated on the corner of Downsbridge Road, at a prominent location near the brow of the hill between Beckenham and Shortlands, Coleridge House at 79 and 79a Bromley Road is a distinctive building from the late-Victorian era and one of the last remaining grand villa houses that once lined Bromley Road.
The three-storey building is run by Riverside Housing Association (which also runs Calverley Close on Southend Road) and currently accommodates 12 self-contained social housing flats for the elderly and an adjoining, four-bedroom single family house (79a). The £12M development involves the demolition of the entire building, replacing it with a five-storey block of 27 flats much bigger than the existing building, and an underground car park. The proposed scheme comprises 5 No. one-bedroom, 17 No. two-bedroom and 5 No. 3-bedroom flats, providing space for up to 95 occupants.
The Victorian Society has said, “Victorian villas such as this may be considered fairly common nationally, but within the local context, it is a rare survival. The house has both architectural and historical interest as a building representative of the growth of the area in the late 19th century, and as such, should be considered a local landmark and a non-designated heritage asset and its loss would harm the significance of the building and the contribution it makes to the local area.” It goes on to say,“The two buildings in combination retain a vestige of the formerly leafy character of the area, and the loss of one would erode this character. If permitted, this could set a precedent for the piecemeal demolition of similar surviving larger 19th/20th century houses in the area.”
Bromley Council has committed to be carbon neutral by 2029 and, considering the UK’s national carbon reduction targets, we believe that retaining, refurbishing or converting existing buildings should always be preferable over demolition.
It is also very disappointing to see in their Affordable Housing Viability Statement that the developer, like many others involved in residential schemes in Beckenham in recent years, doesn’t include any affordable housing provision. According to planning application documents, the smallest one-bedroom flat in the £12M development is expected to market for £325,000. The developer’s claim that they can’t afford to provide affordable housing in the scheme, is unacceptable in our view.
If you have you recently used health services at Bromley Urgent Treatment Centres? Please complete NHS South East London CCG’s short survey and tell them about your experience. Your views will be used to improve our services. Deadline 6 February.
Bromley Council are proposing a school street on the unmade part of Westgate Rd for St Mary’s primary. During school drop off and pick up the road will be closed other than for residents. Fine our more here:
Bromley Council is working with Healthy Dialogues on a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) which looks at the health needs of the people who live in your area.
They want to know about your experiences and views around your local pharmacy, and how you may be currently using the service. This will help to inform potential decisions on future pharmacy services, or considerations for changes and improvements at your current pharmacy.
We are aware that gas supplies to around 300 properties in the Worsley Bridge Road area of Beckenham have been affected as a result of water entering our network. Our engineers are on site and have worked with Thames Water to establish the cause. Work to repair one of our pipes will take place today. At this time, it’s difficult to estimate exactly how long it will take to restore supplies.
For anyone elderly, disabled, chronically sick or have young children or other special needs, we have portable electric appliances available for cooking and heating. These can be obtained by calling our 24-hour Customer Service team on 0800 912 1717.
Our website will be updated with further information here.
Below an overview of available clinics during the festive season. Please note additional clinics might be added. BOOKING IS ENCOURAGED. WALK-INS AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON CAPACITY.
27 and 28 December
Bromley Civic Centre – Book on NBS or walk-in (last admission 5.30pm)
29 December
Bromley Civic Centre – Book on NBS or walk-in (last admission 5.30pm)
London Lane Clinic – Book on 020 8175 8607 or walk-in. 9-4.30pm
30 December
Bromley Civic Centre – Book on NBS or walk-in (last admission at 5.30pm)
London Lane Clinic – Book on 020 8175 8607 or walk-in. 9-4.30pm
Oaks Park Medical Centre – Book on 020 8175 0473 or walk-in. 9.30-5pm
31 December
London Lane Clinic – Book on 020 8175 8607 or walk-in. 9-12pm
3 January onwards
Bromley Civic Centre – Book on NBS or walk-in before 5.30pm
Bromley health and care staff are urging residents to take good care of themselves this winter and seek medical help early when they need it. The Bromley winter health leaflet provides some top tips for staying well and where to go when you need help
Bromley Football Club, Hayes Lane, BR2 9EF is hosting a one-day Pfizer vaccination event on Sunday 19 December between 10am and 4pm. Free lateral flow kits will also be available on the day.
What: Pfizer vaccine – First, second dose and boosters.
Who: All 18 years+ welcome plus those eligible for boosters
Officers from Copers Cope Beckenham organizing another Police Surgery. When : Wednesday 8th December 2021, Where: Costa coffee Beckenham high street. Time : 15:00 Hours. Why we will be there? Because, we will be available to give out crime prevention information especially in the lead up to Christmas where traditionally we see a rise in burglaries. We also have information and also advice you on how to keep safe when out and about.
Residents may have noticed the bright wooden menorah (or chanukiah) standing at Thornton’s Corner. It is for the celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish festival of light. Each evening an additional lamp is lit, building to all eight glowing on the eighth night. Happy Chanukah Beckenham.
Pharmacies are services that typically affect everybody and spaces almost all of us engage with so Bromley Council is working in partnership with Healthy Dialogues in writing a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) that looks at the health needs of people who live in our area.
Part of this PNA will consider finding more out about your experiences and views around your local pharmacy and how you may be currently using them. Responses you provide to the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, Public Survey will help inform potential decisions on future pharmacy services or considerations for changes and improvements at your current pharmacy.
Your input is invaluable in helping to shape the future of pharmacy services in your local area so you are invited to give your views on this research by visiting this link to thePharmaceutical Needs Assessment survey. Your answers will in no way affect the service you receive from your pharmacy and you will not be identified in any reporting.
The survey is open until 13 December 2021 and participation takes less than 10 minutes.
Bromley Trading Standards have received a transcript of a scam call:
“My name is Detective Constable ———. I am based at ————– London Police Station. We have a young person in custody by the name of —– ——. She has a number of forged credit cards in her possession. Your name is on one of them. An amount has been withdrawn from an account, possibly yours. My Police ID is — —-. The Crime Reference is CR———“.
Crucially, the scammer adds “You need to phone the number on your bank card to get the bank to make sure that nothing has gone”, “Would you like me to do it? I can transfer you?”.
How you can protect yourself: • Don’t reveal any personal details. • Hang Up. • Call the actual organisation(s) yourself directly to check, if you are unsure. Don’t rely on information provided by the caller, and use another phone, or if you can’t wait a good while, as the scammer(s) may still be on the line.
Report it: Protect others by reporting incidents. If you or anyone you know have been affected by fraud or any scam report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting http://www.actionfraud.police.uk If you have given out your bank details, contact your bank as soon as possible. You can also visit http://www.Bromley.gov.uk/scams
Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA) 