Biggin Hill homes plan includes protected slow-worms
New owner of The Grove site seeks to retain reptiles rather than relocate them to Kent.
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The central claim is attributed to a named body (Bromley Council) and a named individual (Neil Coombs), but lacks direct quotes from documents or multiple independent sources.
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Proposals for eight new homes in Biggin Hill have been submitted to Bromley Council for a third time. The applicant, Paul Bruckner, who recently purchased the site at 51 and 53 The Grove, aims to build eight three-storey, four-bedroom houses with gardens and parking. This latest submission follows previous refusals and appeals concerning the development's impact on local wildlife.
Wildlife concerns and previous refusals
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Bromley Council had previously refused a similar application in 2021, citing insufficient evidence that the development would not harm wildlife, specifically bats and dormice. A subsequent application two years later included an ecological assessment that identified bats and at least 23 slow-worms on the property. The applicant had proposed relocating the slow-worms 21 miles to Fort Horsted in Chatham, Kent. However, council planners rejected this, stating the proposals lacked necessary detail and that a full survey of the Kent site had not been conducted. An appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was also unsuccessful, with the inspector agreeing that the suitability of the relocation site had not been properly established.
New ecological assessment and proposal
The current owner commissioned a fresh ecological appraisal from ecologist Neil Coombs. Between August and October 2025, six reptile surveys were conducted, with no more than nine slow-worms observed on any single visit. Three bat emergence surveys detected no bats. Based on these findings, Mr Coombs recommended that the slow-worms be kept on the site in a designated grassland area. He cited the reduced numbers of reptiles and the potential risks associated with moving them to a new location.
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Residents of The Grove had previously raised objections to earlier plans, arguing that eight homes were excessive for the plot and that construction vehicles would face difficulties on the narrow road. The current application seeks to demolish two vacant bungalows to make way for the new houses.
Questions this report answers
+What are the new plans for 51 and 53 The Grove?
The new plans propose demolishing two empty bungalows and replacing them with eight three-storey, four-bedroom houses. Each new home would include a back garden and two parking spaces. This is the third time a development has been proposed for the site.
+Why were previous plans refused?
Bromley Council previously refused similar applications due to concerns about potential harm to wildlife, including bats and dormice. A second application was also problematic because the relocation plan for slow-worms lacked sufficient detail and site suitability had not been established.
+What is the new proposal regarding slow-worms?
The new owner wants to keep the protected slow-worms on the site rather than move them. An ecologist recommended this approach due to a recent survey finding fewer slow-worms than previously recorded and the risks associated with relocation.
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