The helicopter would be stored under the grounds of the Grade-II listed Cookham Dene manor house and take off after being raised to ground level by a lift.
The lift would be built of concrete and set eight metres underground. A grass-covered lid would enclose the helicopter, which will only be visible when taking-off or landing.
Planning documents submitted to Bromley Council alongside the application claim that the structure has been “sensitively designed to provide a modest floorspace whilst ensuring the development preserves the openness of the green belt”.
They add: “The proposed development comprises a high-quality, sensitive, well-informed, and well-planned development proposal.”
In an email submitted in support of the application, the manor house’s previous owner says that the four-acre garden was often used for helicopter landings when they lived there between 2002 and 2022.
They claim that the space was “large and well-suited for this purpose, with minimal disruption to the surrounding area”.
The current owner also needs to “regularly access” and make use of a helicopter, planning documents say.
They add: “Currently helicopters landed in this location have to remain in situ or moved off-site due to the grounds being open to the elements and posing a security risk, which increases potential for damage to the applicant’s property.”
Full details of the application can be found on Bromley Council’s planning portal under reference 25/00025/FULL6.
