London mayor refuses plans for a football stadium to protect the green belt

The proposal included the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a three-storey stadium for Cray Wanderers Football Club, community sports pitches, two four-storey blocks for 28 new homes and 393 car parking spaces. The site is largely located within the Chislehurst conservation area.

According to the mayor's statement, "Khan is fulfilling his pledge to Londoners to protect the capital's green belt by refusing planning permission for a development that would encroach on green space in the city".

Bromley Council had resolved to grant planning permission and the Greater London Authority had recommended that the London mayor should not intervene as  "on balance, ‘very special circumstances’ exist[ed] to justify the proposed inappropriate development on the green belt". However, Khan disagreed and refused approval.

The developer had argued that "very special circumstances" existed to justify the development on green belt land. These circumstances included, "a clear need", the absence of any other viable alternatives within the area, the positive contribution the redevelopment would have for the local community and the creation of jobs. 

The London mayor concluded that "the 'very special circumstances' argument presented does not justify development, which is considered to be inappropriate, in the green belt".

Khan acknowledged the benefits of the community sports facilities but determined that the "benefits do not outweigh the significant harm that would be caused to the openness and character of the green belt". Therefore, he determined the proposal was contrary to the London Plan, Bromley's Unitary Development Plan and the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Khan was also concerned as the development did not include any provision for affordable housing.

Planning expert Susanne Andreasen of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said: "Khan has long been clear about his opposition to development on green belt though this will need to be balanced with his pledge on housing delivery. The former mayor, Boris Johnson, rarely used his power to direct refusal of development proposals so a refusal by Khan so soon after taking office may hint at the beginning of a contrasting trend."

"Khan's decision was made despite a recommendation by his officers not to call-in the application and despite the scheme having been revised to address concerns previously expressed by the Greater London Authority that the proposals did not comply with London Plan policies. The application has subsequently been called in by secretary of state Greg Clark so it will be interesting to follow further developments," Andreasen said.