Bromley’s Controversial Decision to Close Beloved Biggin Hill Youth Centre and Relocate Services to Nearby Facility Reversed

Plans to close a cherished children’s centre in Biggin Hill and relocate its services have been significantly altered by Bromley Council. Initially, the South London authority had proposed to shutter the Spitfire Youth Centre and transfer its activities to the Biggin Hill Children & Family Centre, situated less than a mile away. However, recent developments indicate a reversal of this decision.

Community Concerns Prompt Reassessment

A community group formed to advocate for the Spitfire Centre’s continued operation expressed that the newly proposed plan raises “more questions than answers.” In the context of a review of council-owned properties scheduled for 2024, Bromley Council had determined that the Spitfire Centre on Church Lane was financially burdensome to maintain. Consequently, the council believed it was in the best interest to shift youth and family services to the Biggin Hill Children & Family Centre located on Sunningvale Avenue.

In early 2025, the council announced its intention to market the Spitfire Centre for sale, igniting significant opposition within the Biggin Hill community. Residents aimed to keep the facility operational and prevent the land from being sold to potential developers. A petition, gathering nearly 2,500 signatures—representing a fifth of the town’s population—was submitted to Bromley Council in May of the previous year.

In response to the petition, the council reaffirmed its decision to close the centre, transfer services to Sunningvale Avenue, and proceed with selling the vacant property. However, during a council meeting in October, Chris Hennis from the Spitfire Community Group, which initiated the petition, urged the council to collaborate with the Biggin Hill community and allow time for the group to secure the necessary funds to purchase the centre.

New Proposal Under Consideration

Cllr Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Member for Renewal, Recreation & Housing, expressed the council’s willingness to engage in ongoing discussions with the Spitfire Community Group regarding the potential sale, committing to assist the group as needed. Fast forward nine months, and Bromley Council has unexpectedly reversed its initial plans, now proposing to close the Biggin Hill Children & Family Centre and relocate its services to the Spitfire Youth Centre instead.

Documents set to be presented to Bromley’s Executive next Wednesday indicate that council officers evaluated the Sunningvale site and determined it lacked sufficient space for the necessary extension to accommodate a co-located service. Officers assert that the Spitfire site is more advantageous for youth services given its proximity to local amenities, including the NHS Child Health Clinic, its larger size, ample parking facilities, and superior outdoor spaces.

Future Considerations for Community Services

A modest extension has been suggested, described as a “minor in-fill of the existing building footprint,” with officers optimistic that a planning application would face minimal objection. Both the Property and Children & Youth Service teams within the council support this new initiative, stating it will generate savings for the council once the Sunningvale site is closed and deemed surplus to requirements.

If Bromley’s Executive approves the proposal next week, council officers will initiate consultations on the project and develop plans for the centre’s extension. The Spitfire Community Group, now operating as the Spitfire Community Project Community Interest Company (SCP CIC), welcomed the news but acknowledged the proposal’s ability to provoke further inquiries.

On behalf of SCP CIC, Mr Hennis remarked: “At first glance, we welcome the decision to retain the Spitfire Youth Centre as a community asset rather than dispose of it. However, we recognise that this proposal raises a number of important questions that need to be considered before its long-term impact can be fully understood. These include the future level of community access to the building, how wider community groups will be able to use the facility alongside the Family Centre, and what this proposal means for existing community users, as well as the staff, children, and families who currently access services at the existing Family Centre.

Engaging the Community for Feedback

“We are keen to understand how the needs of all those affected will be considered as part of any transition. In the coming days, SCP CIC will compile a thorough response and list of questions to present to the London Borough of Bromley. We will, of course, keep the community updated as more information becomes available. In the meantime, we encourage community members to share their thoughts with us via email at bigginspitfirecic@gmail.com. Your feedback will help inform our response.”

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