Bexleyheath residents claim they have been "sold down the river" after controversial plans to build a 13-storey housing development on the Broadway were given the go-ahead.

At a planning meeting on Thursday, the Bellway Homes complex, which aims to provide 518 new homes to Bexleyheath, was given the green light by councillors.

In a planning statement submitted at the end of 2017, Bellway estimated the complex would provide up to 160 construction jobs and 296 permanent jobs to the area.

It also designated 20 per cent of the homes in the development as "affordable," but has come under fire for not appearing to provide social housing.

After plans were approved, Bexleyheath residents expressed their anger at the council's decision.

Joseph Smith, who has lived in Bexleyheath for 18 years, spoke at the meeting against the approval of construction.

He told News Shopper he and his wife are now looking to pack up and move somewhere else.

"The council has sold us down the river," he said.

He added the decision was a shock to him, and that he "did not see it coming."

"Bexley is like no other borough. It is [the council's] job to protect what is valued by residents in the borough," Mr Smith said.

Although he has no problem with new developments, Mr Smith said the complex proposed on the site of the old Bexley Civic Centre was too big and too high.

He added there were limited resources for so many people to move into the area - including only one doctors' surgery.

"It's a betrayal," Mr Smith said.

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said she was worried the approval would "turn Bexley into another Lewisham."

She added she had submitted objections to the development to the council before plans were passed through, arguing Bexley was being treated like an inner London borough.

The concerned resident also expressed worries about building a tower block in Bexleyheath, comparing the plans to Grenfell Tower.

News Shopper has contacted Bexley Council and councillors present at the meeting for comment on the decision.