Housing in Kidbrooke's £1bn redevelopment will be dramatically expanded with 763 more homes and a 21-storey private towerblock - despite a string of objections.

In an epic four-hour planning meeting, scores of people raised concerns about the revised Kidbrooke Village plans, with one resident dubbing it "the Ferrier Estate mark 2" - a reference to the rundown concrete blocks that made way for it.

In all, three phases of the Berkeley Homes scheme were approved, increasing previously agreed levels of housing across the whole site from 4,000 to 4,763, decreasing the proportion of affordable housing from 38 to 35 per cent and adding an extra 25 per cent commercial space.

Most controversially, a 15-storey height restriction was ditched, with buildings of 17 storeys and a 21-floor "iconic" block set to be located near a new look station and supermarket in the development's central "hub".

Eltham MP Clive Efford was particularly scathing over the density and affordable homes, telling the Woolwich town hall planning meeting: "This is no longer a suburban design, it's an urban design."

He said: "I think we have to ask who is this development meant to benefit? We certainly need new housing development but it can't come at any cost."

And Judy Smith from the Old Page Estate Residents Association, said: "At this stage we should be requiring more socially rented housing for all ages and on site."

Other concerns included the number of parking spaces and how buses and trains would cope with all the new passengers.

But it was the high-rise block which most alarmed many. Committee member Councillor Cherry Parker told Berkeley's boss John Anderson: "For me, it's not iconic. It's an eyesore."

However Mr Anderson defended the building and pointed out there would actually be an increase in affordable housing from 1,525 to 1,700, with an extra 150 units built off site.

In a confidential viability assessment, the company had argued that the extra units were required to make the scheme financially possible - with 20 per cent profit margin targeted.

And Mr Anderson insisted: "The scheme isn't currently financially viable. We don't make a financial return and it's unlikely we will for some time."

In a final vote on the matter, seven councillors came out in favour with four - Councillors Cherry Parker, Steve Offord, Geoff Brighty and Norman Adams - against.