Packed meeting discusses concerns about Tesco plans

12.03.00am GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2004

Last week over 90 people braved snowstorms to air their concerns about a proposed Tesco development. Liberal Democrat Councillors for Orpington; Grace Goodlad, Chris Maines and Jenny Powell, hosted a public meeting to discuss the controversial development of the Station Road Car Park in Orpington. The Plans, to be decided on by councillors at a meeting open to the public at 7.30pm February 10th in Bromley Civic Centre, are to demolish the existing 700 space multi-storey car park and replace it with a massive development of a 900 space car park, 64 homes and a large supermarket similar in size to the one at Ruxley.

"We are here to represent the views of residents", said Cllr Grace Goodlad, Lib Dem spokesperson for Local Economy; "Local people are obviously very worried by the overall height and scale of the project - which is much higher than the existing car park. Those living within 2 or 3 streets are very concerned about the physical size of the development. These residents share further concerns with other local residents about the impact on the High Street, the huge volume of traffic that will be generated - including "rat running" cars through the Knoll area, and especially during construction, the effect on the Orpington Parking Crisis".

"Orpington desperately needs investment and development but the people of Orpington who have spoken to me are not convinced that this is the right one". Added Cllr Chris Maines, "They are also concerned that the profit from the scheme will be shared out across the whole Borough, rather than Orpington seeing a larger share which they feel they deserve in exchange for the impact of this project. I was very disappointed that so many people living in the Knoll and other areas have not been consulted - the only information they have had is in leaflets from the Liberal Democrats"

"We are urging local residents to write to members of the relevant committee to air their views and also to write to the Newsshopper, and unless there is a huge change in public opinion I shall be attending the meeting on the 10th to represent the views of Orpington Residents, and argue for wider consultation and a smaller development.

A copy of the report being considered by councillors and the minutes of the meeting of the Environment Portfolio holder can be downloaded from the downloads area of this website - just click on the Download Area tab or on http://www.bromleylibdems.org.uk/resources.php

Residents wishing to express a view on the proposals should contact the relevant members of the committee.

Councillor contact details can be found at http://www.bromley.org/ciswebpl/ward/councillor.asp The relevant councillors are:

Peter Bloomfield

Katy Boughey

Paul Clark

Jane Connor

Peter Dean

Peter Fookes

Geoff Gostt

John Holbrook

John Ince

Gordon Jenkins

Charles Joel

Anne Manning

Alexa Michael

Jenny Powell

Rod Reed

Bob Shekyls

Tony Wilkinson