A controversial proposal to demolish a once-loved pub at Mottingham has been postponed just days before a decision was due to be made.

Lidl’s application for the now-closed Porcupine, which included knocking down the pub and building a new supermarket in its place, was withdrawn by Bromley Council ahead of it being due for debate at the development committee’s January 28 meeting.

A spokesperson from Bromley Council confirmed the authority withdrew the proposal, in part to allow members of the committee to visit the site.

“The application will now be considered at a later committee which will give an opportunity for a number of issues to be addressed and for Members of the Committee to visit the site,” the spokesperson said.

Council officers had recommended the project for approval, despite receiving more than 200 written objections from residents.

It was the second attempt by Lidl to build at the site, and comes after their first application was rejected in 2013.

A Government inspector upheld the authority’s decision at the subsequent appeal by Lidl, saying that “sub-standard sightlines” at the proposed access of the supermarket made 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.

Alongside residents, Bromley and Chislehurt MP Bob Neill opposed the plan, as well as councillors from Bromley and the neighbouring Greenwich authorities.