Plans to flatten buildings and build townhouses near Bexley High Street have been given the green light.

An application to build on top of Tanyard House in Tanyard Lane, which includes a vehicle workshop, offices and garages, has been approved.

The plan is to bulldoze buildings on the site and build 10 homes, including four four-bed town houses and some apartments.

Developers said the site has had a high level of crime and the remaining buildings are in a derelict state – all of which was contested by neighbours who objected to this latest version of the plans.

A previous attempt 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.

However, councillors at a planning meeting were told the scheme should be approved.

Officers said the application addresses previous issues as it has shifted the location of the apartment building.

Objections had been made on the grounds that the scheme would put extra pressure on parking and that access to the site was not suitable for a residential development.

However, the scheme had been recommended for approval by council planning experts, and councillors unanimously voted in favour.