B&Q objects to plan to knock down its Old Kent Road store

Aviva Investors submitted a planning application (18/AP/3246) last autumn for more than 1,100 homes in buildings up to 48 storeys.

Cantium Retail Park is currently occupied by Halfords, B&Q and Pets at Home – and now the DIY chain has objected to the development plans.

"B&Q currently occupies the largest unit on the retail park, is successfully trading and provides 105 local jobs (27 full-time, 73 part time)," said planning consultant Lee Shaw, in a letter sent to Southwark planners on behalf of B&Q.

"B&Q have operated from the unit since April 1993 and the store is a popular DIY home and garden centre, offering a valued service to members of the public and local businesses."

Mr Shaw added: "The loss of the current B&Q store will result in the loss of existing jobs and will increase the requirement for existing and future residents within Old Kent Road and its surrounds to travel significant distances by public or private transport to purchase similar goods, which is not sustainable contrary to policy objectives for retail, inclusion and accessibility."

It's not the first time that B&Q has fought the loss of its Old Kent Road site. In 2015 Aviva Investors tried to subdivide the unit into four smaller shops.