PLANS to transform the centre of one of Bexley's most historic towns, are on public display, for townspeople to see if they agree with the developer's vision for the future of their town.

If developers HFHA get their way, a £30m redevelopment project for Crayford could turn its centre into "a vibrant special place" with modern, high quality buildings, elegant flats and a new central plaza.

The scale of the transformation can be seen in the displayed model of the proposals and artist's impressions of the new development, which will centre on the existing town hall in Crayford Road.

But despite years of discussion and consultation, the future of the town hall remains a major bone of contention.

The developers, backed by Bexley Council and some townspeople, want it refurbished and restored to create a ground floor restaurant with a walk-through into the central plaza, and a series of apartments on the upper floors.

Others, described as "a small group" by ward councillor Howard Marriner, want the refurbished town hall to remain a community facility.

Cllr Marriner said the public consultation would show what "the true people of Crayford want."

As well as refurbishing the town hall, the library and health centre will be demolished and housed in new premises.

The health centre, which will include all the current services and the possibility of a GP surgery, will be housed in a building which fronts Crayford Road next to the town hall, with shops fronting the street and flats above.

The centre and town hall will back onto a new plaza or square, which it is hoped will become a focal point in the town.

A new, smaller, community hall, with an outside roof terrace, and'a library below, will front onto the plaza, with a double height window entrance.

Also fronting the plaza will be some of the 180-plus one, two and three bedroom flats.

This will lead onto a second square, created on an old council depot site where the remainder of the flats will be built.

It is hoped to open up an existing footpath from Crayford railway station into the new plaza to encourage links between the town and the railway station.

Adrian Geaves of Alan Camp Architects said the development would be highly sustainable with solar panels, green roofs, reusable water collection and biomass boilers.

Thirty per cent of the homes will be affordable, through Hyde Housing Association.

The developers are bound by a legal agreement to apply for planning permission by early next month (March).

William Marshall from HFHA said the timetable was tight and it would be starting work on site as soon as permission was granted.

No facilities will close until new ones have been opened.

Mr Marshall said: "This development will create much better facilities for the people of Crayford and something they should be proud of."

  • The display is open in the Pop-in Parlour in Waterside, Crayford, until 8pm tonight and from 10am to 5pm tomorrow (March 29) and Saturday.
  • What do you think of the plans? Add your comments below or have your say on the News Shopper forum.