A LONG-DELAYED development has been given extra time to commence by a Lewisham planning committee.

Though approval for a two to 17-storey building at Lewisham’s Thurston Road Industrial Estate was granted back in 2008, work has not yet started on site.

At a public meeting last month, the failure to begin construction was blamed on the economic downturn but it was estimated a start could be made this Autumn.

The project, run by Empire Lewisham Developments and London and Quadrant Housing Trust, is set to have 406 flats along with parking and retail space.

Two blocks of industrial units built along the back edge of the footpaths in Thurston Road and Jerrard Street currently occupy the site.

Previous, smaller schemes by other developers dating back to 2003 have been approved but not implemented.

Lewisham Council’s strategic planning committee’s decision will see the developer given a further 18 months to start work, subject to approval by the Greater London Authority.