Orpington residents have expressed fears that their town will become Canary Wharf if a huge redevelopment goes ahead.

Campaigners have warned it’s one of the “single biggest issues” they’ve ever had in the town ahead of the 2022 local elections next month.

The ambitious development plans by Areli could see 990 flats built across a series of tower blocks, the highest of which is planned to stand at 20 storeys.

The leisure centre is also set to be demolished and rebuilt in consultation with Sport England, according to Areli.

The developer said they will “breath new life” into Orpington, with £500m of “inward investment” to go into the town centre with new shops.

News Shopper: Campaigners say around 300 people attended their protest against the development on Tuesday (photo: Tim Webbe)Campaigners say around 300 people attended their protest against the development on Tuesday (photo: Tim Webbe)

But some residents have been left unconvinced.

Denise Rodgie, whose house is right near where the development is meant to take place, warned against Orpington changing too much.

She said: “It’s just going to be so oppressive. The buildings are going to be in your face.

“From a distance, all you’re going to see is Canary Wharf. And if I wanted Canary Wharf, I would’ve moved there.

"But you don’t stick Canary Wharf in the middle of a London suburban high street. And all these bougie shops that they think they are going to do.

"People don’t want bougie shops round here. They want Poundland, Primark and H&M.”

Areli say out of the 990 new homes, approximately 300 of them will be affordable and targeted at first-time buyers.

They also add the development will bring 600 permanent jobs and 2,500 construction jobs.

Despite their plans, campaigners estimate 300 residents turned up at the Walnuts shopping centre to rally against the proposals on Tuesday, which some Bromley Council candidates for Orpington attended. 

Five of the six candidates standing in Orpington, from the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, have confirmed that they oppose the plans in their current form.

Pauline Tunnicliffe, one of the Tory candidates for the ward, said: “Along with most residents in Orpington, I support the regeneration of The Walnuts.

"However, the current scheme is too tall, too bulky and has too many units.

“There are also questions to still be addressed regarding the leisure facilities. I could therefore not support the current application.

"Any development must be right for Orpington and its residents.”

A spokesperson for Areli said: “The proposed development at the Walnuts will regenerate the town centre and breath new life into the heart of Orpington.

"Throughout the past two years of consulting we have spoken directly to thousands of residents and community members and we want to continue the discussions as our scheme makes its way through the planning process.”

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