Lib Dems ask for residents' views on new plans for Walnuts in Orpington

Redcliff have released details of their planned redevelopment for the Walnuts Centre and surrounding area. 

The plans are for 450 new homes alongside a new market hall and shops. The new homes are to be in 7 blocks of flats, with the tallest at 19 storeys.

We are keen to hear the views of local residents and there is a survey online that you can fill in or you can email us on orpington@bromleylibdems.org.uk. 

Our initial feeling is that the Walnuts is desperately in need of redevelopment - the planning blight over recent years has meant that more and more shops in the centre have become empty. If nothing is done, it will continue to deteriorate. And we know there is a desperate need for housing in the borough with nearly 2,000 families currently in temporary accommodation. 

However, we are concerned about the height of the towers - the tallest at 19 storeys is much higher than Orpington College (12 storeys) and higher than permitted in the local plan (which allows for a single slender tower of up 15 storeys and surrounding blocks of 3 to 9 storeys). There is also no undertaking - yet - that at least 35% of the flats will be affordable to help local families. 

We also need to hear the plans for the necessary investment in local services including education, transport and health to support the new residents, as well as hear the views of the statutory agencies including London Fire Brigade and the Environment Agency.