A controversial development on protected open space in Lower Sydenham is set to be contested by Bromley Councillors.

Developers have already tried three times to push through schemes for the former Footzie Social club in Lower Sydenham Road, but the plans had been blocked because of its use of brownfield land.

West & Partners are trying to get permission to demolish buildings at the social club and build an eight storey block building of 151 flats.

The scheme has already been blocked by City Hall, but now developers are appealing to the Planning Inspectorate.

At a meeting next week, it’s expected that Bromley Councillors will vote against the contentious project.

Developers have said this latest attempt includes 36 per cent affordable homes – 54 units –  and that it would help Bromley with its housing needs and enhance public space.

The majority of flats would be two bedroom, and the developers said they would also improve nearby public spaces with an outdoor public gym.

The application said: “There is a clear absence of sufficient other readily available new land which will enable the Council to meet the current minimum housing targets set by the London Plan, let alone the required increase set by the draft New London Plan.”

Planning chiefs turned down a larger application in 2015 on the grounds it was “inappropriate” on a protected area known as Metropolitan Open Land, and there have been a number of appeals turned down.

Officers have said again that the land should be protected, and that special circumstances of potential developments do not apply in this case.

According to council documents: “On balance officers do not consider that the potential harm to the MOL by reason of inappropriateness and other harm due to over development, design and inadequate affordable housing provision are clearly outweighed by the benefits of the development set out above.

“Therefore very special circumstances do not exist and the principle of redeveloping this site for residential purposes is considered to be wholly

unacceptable and contrary to national and development plan policies which seek to protect MOL.

“In addition, there are fundamental issues in terms of amount, scale and detailed design of the proposal that would seriously threaten the character, place making and functionality of the area as well as giving rise to a poor standard of amenity for future residents.”

Councillors are being advised to contest the developers appeal at a meeting on Tuesday, July 24.