Bromley Council has approved plans to build an archive storage building in a depot in Orpington’s Priory Gardens
Controversial plans to build a £3.9 million archive in an Orpington park have been approved which Bromley Council feels will safeguard the borough’s heritage for years to come.
Objectors likened the appearance of the structure to Belmarsh Prison and fear its construction will negatively impact Priory Gardens, the historic garden in which it will reside. Bromley Council’s Plans Sub-Committee No.1 approved the museum archive proposal on Thursday, February 19.
The South London authority unveiled plans for the archive last May, facing significant backlash from community groups and some park users. The archive will be built in a private depot within Priory Gardens, replacing the current museum and art store there alongside some small buildings used for park upkeep and storage.
The archive will not be open to the public on a day-to-day basis, but residents can request to view its contents by request and appointment at the new Bromley Central Library.
Cllr Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and housing, said: “Our borough’s heritage is important and we need to ensure that the archives, which contain important historical records, and museum items are properly stored in line with national guidance. The building will meet future needs as well and with the new covered display area, will increase access for school children and local people to our local history.”
The Protect Priory Gardens campaign formed in opposition to the archive proposal, launching a petition which gained over 3,000 signatures. This petition was submitted to Bromley Council and it outlined concerns that the new archive would “tarnish the beauty and serenity” of Priory Gardens and called for the depot to instead be used to create a community building.
According to the council, last week’s committee heard the concerns raised by local residents shown by the 112 objection letters and petition. The committee also heard that the one-storey archive structure with its low pitched roof was designed to meet the national archiving guidance for the storage of heritage artefacts and documents.
A key problem raised by objectors was the size of the new archive that will have nearly three times the floorspace of its predecessor. However, the council has confirmed the overall height of the structure, when measured from ground level to the roof apex, will be shorter than existing buildings within the depot.
The council also made changes to its plans following public consultation, including reducing the site’s footprint to create new publicly accessible open space, adding a garden tool storage area for members of the public to use, and introducing a canopy to support outdoor educational and community activities.
Chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Shaun Slator, said: “We were satisfied that there was a statutory need for these facilities, with the design following the specific requirements.
“I am glad that the development increases the amount of publicly accessible open space within Priory Gardens and the community use is further strengthened through the retention of the Friends Growing Space and the addition of a disabled toilet for public use during events in the gardens.”
The Protect Priory Gardens campaign expressed concern that the approval decision gave insufficient weight to Priory Gardens’ designation of being an Urban Open Space and a Registered Historic Park.
Campaign spokesperson Caroline Jeffrey said: “This campaign was never about opposing archives in principle. It was about safeguarding openness, policy integrity, providing value to Orpington High Street, our community and the long-term future of a historic park in the centre of Orpington.
“The level of public engagement — 112 formal objections and over 3,000 petition signatures — shows how strongly residents feel about Priory Gardens. The decision may mark the end of this application, but it does not diminish the value of the park or the commitment of the community to its future.
“We will continue to advocate for transparency, careful stewardship, and improvements that genuinely enhance the park for all. Thank you to everyone who supported Protect Priory Gardens.”
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