Plans to redevelop the Old Town Hall site into flats and office space will "ruin the historic character" of the area, a Bromley mother says.

The Grade II listed building will be partially demolished and converted, and a 53 apartment, five-storey block will be built on the South Street car park under current proposals.

Claire-Lara Maidment, 39, is encouraging residents to object to the planning application, arguing the site should be used for the benefit of the community.

The South Street resident, currently on maternity leave, said: "I’m unhappy because Bromley council is not taking enough time to think through the future of the area as a whole.

"The front looks ok, but the back is horrendous. It’s overly modern, doesn’t tie in and would ruin the historic character of the area.

"It looks terrible, it’s a conservation area and historic building.

"The other issue is that they haven’t considered the parking. 53 flats on a very small space and they’ve only cover parking for half that amount.

"Life would be harder for many people (including myself) without a car and public transport needs to be improved to make living without a car a viable option for more people.

"I also think putting in more office space is ridiculous. If you walk up and down the high street you see plenty that isn’t used.

"Why not make it a marketplace or business hub? Something for the community. It could bring in business and regenerate the area."

Built in 1906 and officially opened Mayor Alderman R W Jones JP a year later, the building was used as premises for Bromley College until 2007.

Developer Castleforge submitted an application in late August, holding a public exhibition of the plans last week.

The proposals would see the Tweedy Road building enlarged to provide 73,000 sq ft of serviced office space, a 24 bedroom hotel, a publicly accessible courtyard and a café/bar within the Old Court House.

A spokesman for Bromley Council said: “The Council is currently consulting members of the public about the planning proposals it has received.

"These include the restoration and extension of the Old Town Hall building in Tweedy Road to provide office space, ancillary hotel bedrooms and a food and drinking establishment within the Old Courthouse.

"The application also includes proposals for a five-storey residential scheme comprising 53 apartments on the adjacent South Street Car Park site, with 26 car parking spaces.