A controversial estate redevelopment in Erith has been approved despite concerns it will hinder the borough’s housing crisis.

Housing association Orbit wants to bulldoze three 13-storey tower blocks and low-rise flats, claiming they are “no longer meeting modern standards.”

Bexley councillors have now backed the scheme, which will have 320 homes built across five blocks, all between three and nine storeys.

It comes despite criticism from Labour councillors over a net loss of socially rented housing, which could push more households into expensive temporary accommodation.

The development leads to a loss of 133 socially rented homes, being replaced with a “mixed tenure community” made up of 80 per cent affordable housing.

MORE Lewisham WWII veteran Jim Radford records 'The Shores Of Normandy' D-Day song

Orbit says it will replace affordable housing at other developments in the borough, needing a mix of private homes to make the scheme viable.

Slade Green ward councillor Stefano Borella said at a planning committee on May 30: “It’s been alluded to that we have a housing crisis. The issue is we are going to lose a large number of units from this development. We are going to lose 254 socially rented properties and have them replaced with 121 at London affordable rent.

“We are going to lose out. Even with the other sites identified we are going to lose 46 units. I am very concerned about that.”

News Shopper:

The proposal will provide a total of 320 homes of which 80 per cent will be “affordable housing”, comprised of 121 affordable rented homes, 77 shared ownership homes and 58 homes for London living rent.

Erith councillor Nicola Taylor added that residents in Slade Green and Erith would not be able to afford the types of housing being proposed by Oribt.

MORE NO affordable homes built in Bexley last year despite 'housing crisis'

She said: “Residents moving into the private homes will need a salary of £45-60k. Erith and Slade Green is an area of high deprivation, people can’t afford that salary. It won’t be for local people.”

Councillors also expressed concerns that there are not enough parking spaces being proposed, with former mayor Brian Bishop voting against the scheme on those grounds.

He said: “There is nowhere to park on Erith Park, this development would exacerbate.

“I do not think there is enough parking in anyway shape or form. At least 71 households who will not have access to a parking bay, for me it is not enough parking.”

MORE Council criticised for bringing in parking restrictions for one day during Chilsehurst festival

Highways officers told the chamber that the development would be well managed by Orbit, and the level of parking demand would be less than other estates as the new homes would primarily be flats.

All councillors recognised the need to redevelop the estate, which has been plagued with anti-social behaviour.

Orbit, which redeveloped nearby Erith Park, told the meeting that the scheme was designed to build on Erith’s potential.

A spokeswoman said: “We have recently completed the previously troubled Larner road estate, transformed into an attractive new neighbourhood.

News Shopper:

“We believe we raised the standards for design in the area, creating a new sense of optimism in the town. Our priority now is the Arthur Street estate. The principle was wholeheartedly welcomed by residents because they have seen what we have achieved at Erith Park there is a level of trust we can improve their neighbourhood.”

Orbit admitted that the scheme would run at a deficit, telling councillors it was preparing to plunge into its reserves to “bring forward the next phase of regeneration for Erith”.