Orpington Liberal Democrats

15/10/2026

The ITV undercover footage of Reform councillors is chilling and disgraceful.

We are deeply troubled that a Bromley Reform councillor was involved.

Racism has no place in our borough, in the Council Chamber or in communities across the country.

Read our statement here 👇

08/10/2026

Government planning changes reduce local say

From 31 October, new planning rules introduced by the Labour Government will restrict which planning applications can be decided by elected councillors and limit the size of planning committees.

In Bromley, more applications will be decided by planning officers, and councillors will no longer be able to call in some types of applications for consideration by a committee, where residents currently have the opportunity to speak directly. Limits on committee sizes will also reduce the number of councillors able to bring their experience and local knowledge to planning decisions. With far fewer applications going to committee, Bromley Council is likely to move from three planning committees to a single committee from May 2027.

The Government says the changes will speed up planning decisions. Liberal Democrat councillors have opposed them because we believe they will reduce democratic oversight and make it harder for residents’ concerns and local knowledge to be heard.

Planning decisions can have a lasting impact on our neighbourhoods. We believe local residents should continue to have a strong voice in how their communities develop

13/09/2026

It was great to meet so many residents and shoppers yesterday whilst we were outside TGJones, highlighting the closure of the Post Office at the end of October.

This closure will impact many, including those needing to visit to post items, seek advice and to complete banking transactions where banks are now closed or no longer taking cash transactions. Whilst other post office exist, if you don’t drive these can be difficult to access.

Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition so far (link in comments below) By signing you are showing your support to have a Post Office in Orpington High Street.

Whilst the closure of this site has been planned by TGJones, It’s clear that the Post Office weren’t informed of this and so this has led to an unplanned closure for the Post Office. Therefore the process to find an alternative location nearby is unlikely to be concluded before this closure takes place. An alternative needs to be in place as soon as possible.

We will continue to keep you up to date with progress.

12/09/2026

Waldo Road to re-open in November

After announcing the reopening of Waldo Road Reuse and Recycling Centre would be delayed until January, we've now heard that it may now open in November. We understand plans are still being finalised, we don't yet know the date, and we are not sure whether it will be a full service, although officers say that it will accept "most items".

The online booking system will open a few weeks before the opening. When we know the date of reopening, and when we have a list of what items are being accepted, we will let you know.

07/09/2026

Closure of T G Jones and the Post Office in Orpington High Street

TG Jones have announced that their Orpington store is to be closed permanently at the end of October. This means that the only remaining post office branch on Orpington High Street, hosted inside the store, will be closing at the same time.

Despite plenty of sorrowful noises and hand ringing from both TG Jones and the Post Office, there are currently no proposals to replace the post office branch either in one of the empty units in the vicinity or as a franchise within another of the existing stores.

We believe that if Orpington High Street is to survive it needs a post office. We therefore call on everyone concerned to ensure that an alternative location is found as soon as possible. This is not simply about the Post Office’s statutory requirements. The fact is, our town centre needs it if it is to survive and thrive.

If you agree then please sign our petition (link in comments)

10/08/2026

Our latest Newsletter can be found below.

This newsletter covers:

~ Walnuts redevelopment proposals
~ Proposal for data centre at Charmwood Farm
- Children's soft play removed from the Walnuts
- Closure of Orpington respite care facility leaves a hole in provision
- Park User Satisfaction Survey
- What to do if you see a dog in a hot car
- Lib Dems welcome cross party talks on Social Care
- Dear Bromley Calling all writers!
- What’s on in Orpington

Feel free to pass on to any groups or forums you may be part of

Though no new plans have yet been submitted by Redcliffe, the redevelopment of the Walnuts moved a step closer this month when the government-backed National Housing Bank announced a £10 million infrastructure loan to support the project. The investment forms part of a £35 million package supporti...

10/08/2026

Though no new plans have yet been submitted by Redcliffe, the redevelopment of the Walnuts moved a step closer this month when the government-backed National Housing Bank announced a £10 million infrastructure loan to support the project.

The investment forms part of a £35 million package supporting regeneration projects across England, with Orpington receiving one of the largest allocations. According to the government, the funding is intended to unlock development, prepare the site for construction and help deliver the wider regeneration of Orpington town centre.

On the face of it this is positive news. However, all of the plans previously submitted for the site have not, in our view, met the needs of Orpington. The regeneration program has not been delayed by funding concerns. It has been stopped through the concerted efforts of local residents, and other concerned stakeholders, who want to see a development that works for the town.

The Liberal Democrats welcome the funding, provided it is not used to bulldoze through a scheme that serves only the developer's bottom line. We will examine any future planning applications in detail before making a view, and will not be pressured into a view just to get hold of this particular Government grant.

Watch this space!

09/07/2026

Waldo Road to stay closed until Spring 2027 - this was revealed in papers presented to a recent Environment Committee meeting at Bromley Council. We've asked for an explanation for further delay (it was due to reopen in January 26) but so far all we have been told is that the depot works were "complex and on an evolving timescale."

We'll try to find out more detail - as well as ask for measures to counter the impacts of this continued closure. In the meantime the temporary weekend facility remains open for limited recycling for residents, accessible via Baths Road - remember to book an appointment (https://www.bromley.gov.uk/recycling-sites-1/waldo-road-reuse-recycling-centre/4).

15/05/2026

We note with sadness that the Local Conservatives have started work on their archive store in Priory Gardens. Despite their supposed commitment to Bromley's open spaces, and the huge outcry from Orpington residents, they have failed to reconsider this ridiculous project.

We only hope that this isn't merely the first of many disappointments that the Local Conservatives have in store for Orpington residents now that they have got the elections out of the way.