A proposal to build new homes in a greenbelt conservation area has not gone down well with people in Hayes.

Rookery Estates plans to demolish existing buildings at Hayes Street Farm and replace them with nine new homes.

It says the current 0.9-hectare site is an "unattractive brownfield" which will benefit from three cottages, two five-bedroom houses and four houses containing four bedrooms.

Existing livery buildings, ancillary structures and barns will be demolished to pave way for the homes if Bromley Council accepts the application. The farmhouse is excluded from the plans.

Dozens of people have submitted online objections to the plans.

Valerie May, 77, who lives opposite the proposed houses in Hayes Lane, spoke to News Shopper about the "horrifying" application.

She said: "It is absurd. The community in is up in arms. Traffic is horrendous here as it is.

"There is a lot of history here and I think it is disgraceful. This is not just my opinion but from people all along Hayes Lane.

"The farm is lovely. You can walk dogs down there for a hundred yards as long as you keep them on a lead and it is a beautiful area. To have it destroyed for nine houses is unbelievable.

"They are proposing to knock down our heritage."

Rookery Estates disagrees and believes new homes would enrich the area.

A concluding statement on the application read: "It would enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and would not prejudice the council’s commitment to protecting the greenbelt in this area. Planning permission should, therefore, be granted."

Another Hayes resident, Tanya Jopson, wrote on the application: "I object to the demolition of historic buildings. I object to the threat you put on our green belt land.

"I object to the destruction of wildlife that are on the critical list. Bats cannot be rehoused/rehomed/moved, unless you wish to break the law."

Any objector, David McDermott, wrote: "Hayes Farm is a unique setting on the outskirts of the village and contributes significantly to the

sense that Old Hayes remains as a village, distinct from the urbanity of its close neighbour Bromley.

"With the loss of the farmstead outbuildings the defining character of the site and its significance to the sense of place of the locality would be lost forever."