Plans which would see the site of a once-loved Mottingham pub developed into a supermarket are set to be decided on next week.

And while Lidl’s plan to demolish the former Porcupine pub and build a new store has been met with a wave of resistance from residents – with more than 200 written objections received by Bromley Council – officers have still recommended the project for approval.

It could spell the final chapter in a long-running saga, which began when the pub closed its doors in 2013, with new owners Lidl first attempting to have the site redeveloped the following year.

Bromley Council rejected the proposal that time, with a Government inspector upholding the authority’s decision at Lidl’s subsequent appeal on the grounds that there was “sub-standard sightlines” at the proposed access, making it a traffic risk.

However, the supermarket giants submitted a revised plan for the site last year, with Bromley Council officers saying a plan to create a new access rectifies that issue.

Community opposition to the proposal didn’t wilt in the meantime though.

Of 305 responses from the public regarding the proposal, 247 have opposed the plans, with just 56 responses in favour.

Apart from a groundswell of objection from local residents,  the plan has also been opposed by Bromley and Chislehurt MP Bob Neill, as well as councillors from both Greenwich and Bromley.

The two Ward members for Mottingham and Chislehurst North, Councillors David Cartwright and Will Rowlands, both said they opposed the project, citing the potential negatives of attracting more traffic to an area they said already presented a “problem”, particularly during rush hours.

“Traffic in Mottingham Village is already a problem, in particular during rush hours and school pick up/drop off times,” Cllr Rowlands wrote.

“There are often traffic queues from Eltham College to the west of the War Memorial and to the A20 traffic lights at the eastern end of Court Road. Any increase in either parking or delivery will significantly increase these

problems.”

Neighbouring councillors from the borough of Greenwich, consisting of John Hills, Matt Hartley and Roger Tester, have also added their concerns regarding traffic surrounding the site.

However, Bromley Council officers state the the proposed development would positively contribute to the “vitality and viability” of Mottingham, while bringing a derelict site back into active use.

While the site was included on the council’s Assets of Community Value, that listing expired in 2018. 

The council said the site was put up for sale in 2016 and local community groups were provided with opportunities to purchase it, but none did so.

The authority also backed a viability assessment by an independent consultant who wrote that the site wasn’t viable as a public house.

In addition, the council will pursue a £5,000 financial contribution to review and amend traffic waiting restriction in the area, while a s278 would also see Lidl undertake improvement to a pedestrian crossing and realignment of a footpath near the site.

Lidl have been contacted for additional comment.

The application will front the development control committee on January 28.