We the undersigned call on Bromley council and the government to do everything in its power to protect the beautiful and valuable greenbelt from inappropriate development.

A major land developer wants to build 350 homes on the farmers field Greenbelt bordering Derry Downs, Cockmannings, Crockenhill and Waldens Road.

With climate change, the Greenbelt bridges the gap between natural environment and urban environment, critical absorption when dealing with heavy rainfall protecting surrounding communities.

We also saw in the lockdown how people valued greenspaces for health and mental wellbeing. More than 38% of people felt wildlife and green spaces were more important than ever. 

If developers go ahead and build on the St Mary Cray greenbelt it will cause unprecedented green light to build on more Greenbelt in the area of a further 400 + homes in the next field and so it will continue to sprawl. 

This rural area has narrow country lanes which would cause traffic chaos, increase the existing levels of strain on public and local services, Schools, GP services, Hospital beds, A&E. Destroy much loved historical countryside,  wildlife and adjacent ancient woodland. There are Badger sets, kites, amongst many other wildlife species settled on this land. This site and land is also known for regular flooding to nearby houses, with the River Cray running underground, with climate change the affects of more concrete/housing would certainly increase more flooding in the area.

Local communities will be lost as they merge into towns and our area's rural land will be lost for ever for future generations.

With other options and alternatives of brown field and grey fields sites for housing: empty office buildings with the work from home workforce now could be converted into flats/apartments, whilst overseas investors buying up properties in the UK, 2nd homes laying empty for months on end, social housing not fully occupied, homes empty in disrepair to be brought back to life these should be first options looked at before even considering the destruction of the greenbelt.

Building on greenbelt contravenes protected status and we call on the government to re think and look at better ways of dealing with housing shortages.