Contentious plans to demolish a care home in Orpington and build a retirement complex have been thrown out by councillors.

Churchill Retirement Living wanted to bulldoze Ashling Lodge in Station Road and build a 27-bed apartment block in its place.

Objections were made to the council about the scheme, with many saying there was a greater need for care facilities rather than retirement homes.

One resident told the council: “I object most strongly to this development. We need far more care homes, not less, so Ashling Lodge should most definitely be kept as such, not turned into yet another large retirement block! There are plenty of retirement homes in the town.”

Other concerns were raised about demolishing a building as old as Ashling Lodge, which was been described by neighbours as “attractive.”

The developers said their scheme would take pressure away from health and social services, and allows older people to live independently.

If it was given the greenlight, 27 beds would have been built in a two and three storey block “designed to meet the needs of independent retired people.”

The project was earmarked for approval by council officers, who said: “The proposed re-development of the site for use as sheltered accommodation/retirement living apartments would result in the increased provision of a different type of housing that would meet a slightly different need.

“The proposal is therefore, considered to be acceptable in principle.”

However, Bromley councillors disagreed when making their decision last night, March 22.

At a planning sub-committee meeting councillors rejected the application, making it the second scheme proposed to demolish Ashling Lodge in recent years to be thrown out.

Spencer McCarthy, Churchill’s chairman & CEO said: “We’re very disappointed with local Councillors’ response to our application, which completely ignores the Planning Officer’s recommendations. This application has been recommended for approval twice.

"This same committee refused a Churchill planning application in Orpington back in 2013. On that occasion we went to appeal and won with costs.

"We have worked collaboratively with local Planning Officers throughout the process, consulted with local residents and responded to feedback by amending our plans. We believe our proposal will make a valuable contribution to the area."