Orpington set for revamp

1:48pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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RESULTS of consultation over plans to give a town centre a major overhaul have been published.

The Orpington Masterplan has been designed to improve the pedestrian environment of the town and redevelop The Walnuts shopping centre.

Many responses from the public voiced concern over the current run down nature of the High Street and the impact of the new Tesco development.

The supermarket, due to open in Earls Way next year, claimed a new store would help bring people back to the town centre.

Bromley Council's head of heritage and urban design, Peter Martin, says the plan will be redrafted in light of the consultation outcomes.

He said: "Generally we are pretty pleased with the results.

"I think there's a general endorsement from everybody about improving the High Street."

Chairman of the Orpington Business Forum, Chandra Sharma, says he is very positive about the plan.

He said: "The whole idea is to rejuvenate the High Street, to attract other retailers.

"There's always trepidation when something like Tesco comes along, but I think it will bring in footfall and hopefully that will mean more people walk through the High Street."

Suggestions were also made by the public about the need for a theatre, cinema or hotel to attract more people to Orpington.

Proposals to widen pavements and plant more trees drew mostly positive responses, although concerns were raised by disability groups over navigational difficulties for blind people caused by a lack of suitably raised kerbs.

One of the key proposals was to move Orpington Library out of its current Grade II listed premises and into council offices in College Square.

The majority of responses from the public were in favour of the idea, but were wary of the availability of car parking at the new site.

Orpington Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe says the future is looking good for the town.

She said: "Over the 20 years I've lived here I've seen it deteriorate.

"We have waited a long time for improvements to Orpington so I think we should be celebrating that something is now going to happen and I'm very excited about it."