Bexley council has successfully stopped the unlawful conversion of industrial buildings in Erith.

Bexley took enforcement action against the owners of the site on Fraser Road.

The owners made three appeals against two planning enforcement notices and the Council’s refusal of a planning application.

All were considered at a public inquiry in March.

The planning inspector delivered his decision this month and the council won all three appeals and an award of costs.

Bexley has now given consent for a revised proposal, which will provide much better accommodation and appropriate uses.

It has also approved a revised proposal for another part of the site. Both involve specified business use at ground floor level with living/work units on the upper floors.

Councillor Louie French, Deputy Council Leader: “We have made clear in our Growth Strategy that we will try to manage new development, so it benefits local people.

“I am pleased that the action by our planning team has resulted in better accommodation and compliance with our policies on land use.”

The Council acted after the owner of several buildings in Fraser Road unlawfully converted them into 33 substandard units several years ago, which had inadequate floorspace, light and outlook, with no access to outside space.

Council inspectors also found that that part of the site was also being used as a place of worship without planning permission.