THE Government has given the go-ahead for the largest housing application ever seen in the borough.

Approval has been given for 800 homes to be built on a 34-acre site covering the former Blue Circle sports ground and neighbouring land, in Bromley Common.

The site will be developed by Petts Wood-based company Asprey Homes, after planning inspector Susan Hesketh and communities minister Hazel Blears overruled Bromley council’s objection to the scheme.

After the public inquiry this summer, the inspector has said that the company can develop the site because there is such an urgent need for more homes in the borough.

She said: “Without the development taking place on the appeal site, there is no reasonable prospect of sufficient land being identified and available for development to meet the housing needs of the area.

“This is, in my view, a very special circumstance of sufficient weight to justify setting aside the presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt.”

Read Bromley council's strong reaction to what they call a "hammer blow" to the green belt only in this week's Bromley Extra