OUTLINE plans to build houses and flats on a former industrial site have been blocked because of inadequate access.

Bexley Council's highways experts argued the existing access into the Riverside Works, off Bourne Road, Bexley Village, had been good enough for the steel fabrication company which used to occupy the site, even though it had larger vehicles.

But members of Bexley's planning control committee were not convinced two cars could pass each other along the length of the access without encroaching on the gardens belonging to Hurstbourne Cottages, a terrace of six homes which use the same access.

Councillor Alan Downing said: "There is too great a problem with this access.

"We would be foolhardy to pass this application."

Members rejected the application by 11 votes to two.