A declined planning application that would see a mausoleum built in Orpington has been appealed.

The controversial proposal, which could house hundreds of dead at a site in Old Hill near Green Street Green, was refused by Bromley Council earlier this year.

However, it seems the applicant is not ready to give up, sparking renewed concern among residents in the area.

Resident Victoria Willis, 42, mentioned her fears for the environmental impact of the project and said locals are rallying around in opposition.

She said: “Old Hill and Cudham Lane North have resurrected the residents association and we shall be putting up a good fight for it not to be passed by the planning inspectorate.”

The site, called Old Hill Farm, would see existing buildings converted into a mass grave with up to 1,000 burial crypts. 

Chairman of planning councillor Russell Jackson said in February: “This application was clearly very contentious locally but we have to look at the planning merits of any application and in this instance we had serious concerns about how the proposed development impacts on greenbelt land and the consequent impact on surrounding highways.”