A MAJOR plan to regenerate Erith’s Larner Road high-rise estate has been given the nod by Bexley councillors.

Work on the £100m regeneration project is due to start as early as March next year, with the first new homes ready in 2015.

The proposal will see housing association Orbit South replace the estates five tower blocks with a mix of houses and low-rise apartments, comprising between 550 and 622 new homes.

Councillors sitting on the planning committee approved the plans on Thursday (December 13).

Orbit South managing director Vivien Knibbs said: “This milestone decision enables us to press on with our plans to create a thriving community. To say that Larner Road will be transformed is an understatement.

“Once complete, it will become a new neighbourhood of streets and gardens where local people want to live and a public green space for all of the community to enjoy.”

The first phase of the scheme will build 66 homes for sale, 82 for shared ownership and 195 for rent, in a bid to create a mixed community.

Open green space, such as the Dell nature area, are also to be improved.

Bexley Council’s cabinet member for economic development and regeneration Councillor Linda Bailey added: "I’m absolutely delighted after several years of lobbying and negotiating, we’re now at a stage where planning permission has to been granted and the plans to regenerate Larner Road will soon become a reality.

“Bexley residents will one day soon, have exciting, new, high quality, modern homes available to them.

“It goes to show what amazing results can be achieved when working in partnership."

Planning permission was granted subject to Greater London Authority and legal approval.