TOMORROW Lewisham Council will take a decision which could affect the south of the town and adjoining parts of Bromley for years to come.

The long-awaited plans for British Gas' out-of-town retail park are now becoming clear.

A massive DIY store and garden centre, similar to the size of the Sainsbury's Savacentre, together with three other large retail sheds and a drive-in restaurant, is planned with free parking space at Bell Green for over 1,700 cars.

The predicted impact on Catford, Forest Hill, Penge and Sydenham is also clear according to British Gas' own sources, a trade loss of £3m per annum.

Giving the go-ahead to a retail development of this size will deliver a major blow to the remaining independent businesses in the area.

The combination of free parking at Bell Green, with the possibility of charging at Sydenham's Girton Road car park, means businesses in the area cannot possibly compete with the giant multiples likely to take up space at Bell Green. The Sydenham Society regards this as unfair competition.

Of equal concern is the effect of increased traffic on feeder roads apparently ignored by British Gas' consultants.

Residential roads leading to the retail park can expect an average traffic increase of 10 per cent at peak time on Saturdays.

And this is before the forecast increase in car ownership which will take place over the next few years.

The development of this site, long overdue, is an opportunity which should be grasped and not thrown away.

We have urged the council to explore more imaginative, community-based uses for Bell Green, such as leisure facilities, which will help to create a sustainable community.

We welcome the residential element of the scheme, together with the employment which will be provided in the workshops and industrial units, but we urge Lewisham Council to reject the plans for yet more large-scale retail.

PAT TREMBATH
Chairman of Sydenham Society