A group of neighbours concerned about the £80m redevelopment of an unpopular shopping centre forced a public meeting on the proposals last week.

Lewisham Council was so inundated with questions about the plans for the Leegate centre in Lee Green that it held a public meeting at Trinity School to address people's concerns.

Around 100 people crammed into the meeting to quiz council planning officers and developer St Modwen about the plans, which will see the current dilapidated centre replaced with new homes, facilities and a large new Asda supermarket.

Neighbour Sarah McMichael helped set up the 100-member A Better Lee Green group in response to the plans, which they say have been poorly publicised and could generate even more traffic on Lee Green's busy roads.

She said afterwards: "Major concerns expressed by residents were about increased pollution, congestion and rat running, the loss of their large, sheltered public square, poor public consultation to date and apparent flouting of planning policies.

"By the end of the meeting, both the council and St Modwens committed to more consultation with residents about what residents want on the site."

Ward councillor Jim Mallory, who is on a working group looking at the plans, said there were still some major concerns.

He told News Shopper: "Although they claim they sustained the amount of public space, it runs along Burnt Ash Road which is busy and narrow

"We argue they should recess a square into the middle of the site.

"Until they change that we're still holding out on supporting the proposals."

Senior development manager at St Modwen Killian Morris said the plans had evolved thanks to two years of consultation with the community.

He said: “We know public space is very important to local residents and have thought carefully about how and where to provide both the indoor and outdoor community space.   High quality landscaping with extensive tree planting is a key feature of our proposals.

“Central to this will be a new linear square including ample space for outdoor seating, market stalls and planting that all the community can enjoy.”

Mr Morris added: “Naturally residents are concerned about the potential traffic implications of the scheme and we are working closely with the Council and TfL to minimise any impact of our scheme and to agree improvements to the road network to ease traffic flows along both Eltham Road and Burnt Ash Road.

“A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment is being undertaken and will form part of the planning application.”

To get involved with the community group visit their Facebook page, follow @abetterleegreen on Twitter or email and abetterleegreen@gmail.com