A CAMPAIGN to prevent a major Tesco superstore development looked to be on the verge of failure last night.

The Orpington Car Park Action Group, made up of residents and businesses, has battled for months against the company's proposed 24-hour complex at the Station Road car park site.

But a packed meeting of the council's development control committee saw chief planner Stuart MacMillan recommend approval of the plans which have been revised several times since an original application was rejected in April.

The latest version would see the car park replaced by a six-storey development including 73 flats (30 affordable), a health centre and 947 car parking spaces (450 for Tesco shoppers).

But ward Councillor Grace Goodlad said: "It's still too big. It's still going to have a horrendous effect on traffic and parking and then there's the detrimental impact on the high street."

Three leading employers Clarkson Wright & Jakes, Calford Seaden and Highbury Leisure have threatened to leave town if the development is approved because of an anticipated parking shortfall.

A group spokesman said the financial advantage to Bromley Council of selling the site should not be a consideration and "the development should be considered solely on its merits under planning law".

A traffic report commissioned by the group cast doubt on the results of a survey for Tesco by Boreham Consultants, estimating the store would generate up to 700 traffic movements an hour, 300 more than Tesco's survey predicted.

The report by consultants Bellamy Roberts said: "We believe the development will have a significant and detrimental impact on traffic and parking in the area and the current proposals should not be considered acceptable for this reason."

The group urged council members to refuse the application or defer a decision for further investigation of parking and traffic issues.