A contentious scheme to bulldoze buildings in Bexley Village and build a block of flats are set to be approved next week despite objections.

Developers are back wanting to build a block of townhouses along with four apartments at Tanyard Lane, which would mean demolishing the Tanyard House and a garage.

Tanyard House includes a vehicle workshop, offices and garages, just off Bexley High Street.

According to the proposals, the site has had a high level of crime and the remaining buildings are in a derelict state – all of which has been contested by neighbours who object to this latest version of the plans.

A similar scheme was thrown out in November because it did not provide ways for rubbish to be collected from Tanyard Lane, which is a public footpath – meaning refuse vehicles would have to stop on the high street.

Officers say the latest application addresses that by shifting the location of the apartment building.

Planning experts at Bexley Council have recommended the scheme be approved at a meeting next Thursday.

In their report they said: “The development has been sensitively designed having regard to its location within a conservation area and impact on the setting of nearby listed and locally listed buildings.

“It is considered the proposed development will preserve the character and appearance of the Old Bexley Conversation Area and will not result in harm to the setting or any listed buildings.”

Not everyone agrees however, with objections being made that the site will increase traffic and demand for parking, and hinder the access for emergency vehicles.

Concerns have also been raised by neighbours that the scale of the development is inappropriate.

One objector said the proposals were inaccurate, and that there was no known reported criminal activity, and that Tanyard House is not vacant as the developers thought.