LOCAL residents are angry with Bromley Council as it plans to double the size of a New Beckenham car park.

The car park is located next to New Beckenham train station, with the proposed expansion into a former allotment site expected to result in 67 new car spaces.

This will bring the total number of spaces in the car park to over 120.

Residents say this will mean more cars in the area, which will lead to increased noise and air pollution, and a higher water table due to the felling of trees which may cause flooding.

The garden of Bob Asquith, 74, of Kings Hall Road, backs on to the car park.

He told News Shopper: "The development that is going on here will be detrimental to the whole area and a lot of us are very angry.

"Another 70 car parking spaces. Why are they attracting more cars?

"All these fumes to the front and back of our houses. Lots more cars with all the noise and destruction that comes with them.

"My biggest concern is the air pollution and the water table and the nuisance it is going to bring to everybody who lives on this road.

"They have cut down lots of trees at the end of our road.

"They (the trees) are not drinking the water resulting in the high water table which has become more of a problem.

"Lots of basements get flooded in Kings Hall Road. It is a problem that is getting increasingly worse."

Green Party London Assembly Member Jenny Jones also questioned the plans.

She said: "It seems extraordinary that Bromley Council, contrary to their own local plans to cut traffic, are encouraging more traffic and local air pollution by expanding Beckenham Station car park"

"Allotments bring many social, health and environmental benefits to the community, providing plot holders with fresh, healthy and often organic food.

"It is hugely disappointing that Bromley, instead of taking steps to restore the allotments, are planning to permanently concrete over this site."

Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for Environment, said: "Whilst the Council genuinely understands the reluctance of those local residents most directly affected by these proposals, the fact that the application has already been deferred on two separate occasions to ensure that the correct level of screening and distance from the nearest dwellings are achieved is surely testimony to the Council’s determination to ensure a fair deal is struck for all.

"Whilst she is clearly entitled to her opinion, Ms Jones anti-car rhetoric comes as no surprise given her political beliefs and completely ignores the fact that outer London is being rail-headed to a standstill by those living in more rural areas, keen as they are to avoid the usurious hikes in train fares over many years.

"If this application is successful, it might just serve to prevent any further extension or additional controlled parking zone being deemed necessary along local roads over coming months and years, which if we can avoid introducing at extra cost to those residents affected, rather than charging to visiting motorists, we are obviously keen to achieve on their behalves."