Keep Orpington Swimming

03/10/2022

Good news!

Areli has today released a statement announcing that the planning application for redevelopment of The Walnuts Shopping Centre has been withdrawn, following discussions with residents, businesses, and Bromley council.

30/09/2022

Today is the final (again!) day to object to the planning application for Orpington.

If you've not already commented - or even if you have and you now have more to add - please add your thoughts. There are almost 4000 comments now which we think shows the strength of feeling about this proposed development.

We have heard the next planning meeting where this is likely to be discussed is in November.

12/07/2022

A quick update from us to say - nothing's happening!

If you remember, the decision on the planning application was due on July 31. We've now heard that it's been put back again to September 30 - we think this is something to do with the London Assembly, the Mayor and Bromley council who have asked for extra information from Areli, the developers.

That does mean the planning portal is still open for comments so if you've not already objected, or if there is something else you want to add, then please do so.

05/05/2022

It's election day! All the London boroughs are going to the polls to elect new councillors.

Turnout in local elections is generally really, really low - sometimes as low as 30%. That means local councils can basically do whatever they want because no one is holding them to account.

Here in the London Borough of Bromley we have a huge local issue - the Walnuts redevelopment - that will affect the lives of thousands and thousands of residents.

It's not a straightforward party political issue, so we can't (and wouldn't) try to tell you who you should vote for. But please, please, please find five minutes today to head to the polling station and vote.

Let's remind the councillors that we are here, that they represent us and that they need to listen to our voices.

12/04/2022

Our second bit of info is that today is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming local elections. If you're not registered already, please do so. All the info you need is below.

Turnout in local elections is generally woefully low, but we're really hoping this year's will be different because there is so much at stake.

The Walnuts development is not a party political issue - councillors representing the same party in different wards have opposing views.

But voting is the number one way to make your voice heard. Please, please, please make sure you can vote on May 5.

“When are the local elections and how do I register to vote? A quick guide to the local elections with our political reporter 🗳 Register to vote: https://t.co/XCyQySLv6q 📰 More from BBC News: https://t.co/czA8yuGgVJ https://t.co/6ue5CUG6yq”

12/04/2022

Good morning! Two bits of info for you today.

First up, there is a public meeting in Orpington this afternoon organised by the Nuts to the Walnuts campaign group. There will be speakers talking about the proposed development, giving people a chance to air their views.

It's in the square in between Sainsburys/the library and the college, at 1.30pm.

Because it's the Easter holidays, we're struggling to send a representative but we have given the organisers a statement to read about our concerns. If you're going along to the meeting, please take lots of pictures and share them with us.

05/04/2022

Fed up with being told what we want by the developers (which isn't what they've come up with!), we've been thinking about what our ideal pool and leisure centre would look like.

If you had a blank canvas, what would you like to see in a new leisure centre?

A large pool? A good quality learning pool? A diving pool? Steam rooms? Spin studio? Climbing wall? All-weather football pitches?

Soft play? A cafe? A viewing gallery to watch swimming lessons?

How about the location? Near the town centre and its shops? Close to good public transport links? Easy parking? Free parking? Well-lit and safe pedestrian access?

We'd love to know what's important to you. What do you like about the Walnuts currently? What don't you like?

Tell us everything! We're listening...

02/03/2022

We made the news! It's not a perfect report but it's a start. The story about the pool is about 18 minutes in.

The latest news, sport and weather from London.

28/02/2022

This morning we heard that Areli, the developers, have asked Bromley Council to delay making a decision on their planning application until July 31.

We're not sure what that means for the development generally but it does mean there is more time to submit objections. So if you thought you'd missed your chance to add a comment, there's still time!

Here's the link to the planning website:

23/02/2022

URGENT! We think the deadline to object to the planning application might be today. Please don't put it off any longer - send your objection in now.

https://searchapplications.bromley.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=R56N6EBT0RH00&activeTab=summary

Click on comments, then on make a comment.

Send your objection now - and if you've already done it, please share this reminder to all your friends and ask them to do theirs too.