A private company wants to develop the current courts into many pickle and/or paddle ball courts operating 24/7 and they want the use the community parking.
The car park is owned by the playing fields association, but is for community, not private use.
Theatre 62, current, agreed users, of the parking area object to this because we are the last community theatre (a charity) for miles. Theatre 62 has been operating as a theatre on this site since 1962. Sadly Hayes, Matchbox, and Beckenham theatres have all now ceased to operate.
Theatre 62 put on 5 plays a year, and run community social events 5 times a year. The building is used by the community for drama groups, Quest, carefree choir and WWOS.
The carpark is vital to theatre 62 when we are rehearsing, having shows, and hosting community events. Our patrons come great distances to support our theatre and community events. We would lose many theatre goers if we did not have accessible parking.
Theatre 62, the bowls club and the football club have worked together over the years work regarding the shared use of the car park which is for community use.
A private company would seriously disrupt and/or destroy what community activities already exist if it was allowed to go ahead. The private company wants to have what would be extensive use of the community carpark as well as, it is rumoured, proposing the extended opening of a bar and resturant.
What is now required will be detailed plans submitted to Bromley Council for proper scrutiny.