A scheme to bulldoze empty buildings to make way for more than 40 new homes in Erith has been put forward to council planning experts.

Nexus Planning has applied to build a four storey block of flats, providing 42 homes – 50 per cent of which would be affordable.

The development is being proposed for land in West Street, and includes 24 parking spaces as well as 11 one bed, 26 two bed and five three bed flats.

Currently, the site contains an empty two storey office and a vacant three storey building recently left behind by Orbit Homes.

There is also an electricity sub-station at the front of the site which

is to be removed.

Erith is an area earmarked for major regeneration by Bexley Council’s growth strategy.

If the scheme is given the all clear by planning chiefs at the council, Nexus says the development will be a well designed contribution for Erith.

In its application, the developer said: “The development is in line with adopted local and national planning policy, in providing a mix of market and affordable

residential units on a brownfield site in a sustainable location.

“The proposals will sit comfortably in the West Street streetscape,

and complete the current street frontage by filling in the existing ‘gap’ formed by the set-back office building and factory unit.”

Bexley Council has earmarked Erith to have 6,000 new homes by 2050, and to regenerate the area into an “urban riverfront destination.”

The application is currently being looked at by the council’s planning officers.