Supermarket proposal threatens town centre

10:57am Tuesday 10th February 2004

A PROPOSED superstore could kill off a town centre and wreck residents' lives, campaigners are warning.

Homeowners near the planned Tesco complex at Station Road, Orpington, have accused Bromley Council, which is leasing out the land for 125 years, of cashing in at the expense of residents.

The complex, including a medicentre, 930 parking spaces and 64 flats, will be up to 9m higher than the present multi-storey car park and leave Orpington short of 834 spaces during 18 months of construction.

A recent public meeting saw 100 people voice concerns over parking and traffic chaos, rat-runs through the Knoll, pollution, loss of trees and the size of the store.

Christine Rump, of Sevenoaks Road, said: "The council wants as much money as possible out of this but it is being very short-sighted. It will change the type of area we live in forever.

"People are going to move out and it could be the death of the high street."

Trevor Hunt, of Orchard Grove which is opposite the proposed store, said: "The traffic congestion is appalling and they're talking about 400 customers every hour."

Councillor Grace Goodlad has concerns about the development. She said: "Orpington desperately needs investment and development but the people of Orpington are not convinced this is the right one. We need more consultation."

A Tesco spokesman said its traffic survey showed, with the intended improvements, the roads would cope with the traffic. And it is talking with Bromley Council about the trees.

A council spokesman says it has a parking strategy, including the removal of some yellow lines, and a consultant is reviewing the firm's traffic survey.

The Development Control Committee was last night expected to adjourn a decision on the outline plans.

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