A PLAN to convert a former Royal British Legion Club into a convenience food store has stirred up a “frenzy” of objections.

Neighbours and businesses claim it will change the character of the area and want the building in Green Lane, Chislehurst to be returned to the community.

Belmont News and Wine Cellar in nearby Belmont Parade have each sent petitions to Bromley Council with a total of around 600 signatures opposing the planning application from Reef Estates Ltd in London.

Mother-of-two Margaret Warren, who has lived opposite the site for 30 years, said: “It’s a ridiculous place to put a convenience store. We’ve enough shops on the parade and there’s a Sainsbury’s five minutes away.

“The building should be returned to the community.”

Owner of Belmont News Nitin ‘Raj’ Patel said: “I oppose this on the basis of the congestion and traffic which would be caused and my trade would be affected too.”

A spokesman for the Chislehurst Society, an organisation of more than 75 years representing around 4,000 residents, said: “It is felt adding another convenience store would not only jeopardise businesses but inevitably change the character of the area and the building itself.

“We have been surprised by the amount of people upset by this.

“It’s really whipped the community up in a frenzy.”

The council’s planning sub-committee are due to hear the application on June 17.