A BID by supermarket chain Lidl to knock down the Porcupine pub in Mottingham has been rejected.

Lidl had hoped to replace the Mottinham Road pub with a supermarket and submitted a planning application to Bromley Council.

The application was discussed and rejected at a council meeting last night.

MP for Bromley and Chislehurst Bob Neill tweeted: "Porcupine application thrown out unanimously. 

"Huge turnout in public gallery, and gd support from local Cllrs.

"Right result for Mottingham!!"

Russell Jackson, chairman of Bromley Council's planning sub committee said: "We have made our position very clear on the site of the Porcupine public house and the application was refused. 

"The council must protect community facilities where appropriate and ensure a wide range of services within town centres. 

"We also had serious concerns about the traffic safety at this site, the risk of overdevelopment in the area and the loss of two important mature trees."