Outline planning permission has been granted for the development of houses on 3.5 hectares of green open space in Sidcup.

Bexley Planning Committee voted through plans for 30 houses and 30 flats in Old Farm Park, despite a residents' campaign against it.

According to the planning application, 122 car spaces will be provided for 60 homes.

The scheme has outlined 35 per cent of homes to be built as affordable housing.

The council received 28 letters and emails objecting to the proposals for reasons such as loss of wildlife and traffic issues.

Malcolm Right, a resident of Old Farm Avenue and member of campaign group Save Old Farm Park, said at the meeting: “We fundamentally object to the sale and the development of any part of the site.

"There is nothing within the the document about the impact on wellbeing when you take away green space. Not withstanding that we have problems with getting appointments at GP surgeries. The average wait time is somewhere between four and six weeks, I know because I tried."

Mr Right quoted the new Bexley Growth strategy that promotes how important green space is for mental health.

He added: “Nowhere in this area are there flats, this is something that will be new to the area so how will this be in keeping?”

The houses will be built on a site of 3.5 hectares of open land between houses and a railway line.

The plans show 30 two-story detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and 30 one and two bedroom apartments across 3 separate 2.5 storey blocks.

Speaking at the planning committee, Councillor Brian Bishop said: “Every London borough is under pressure to build houses. We have to build houses. Looking at the pressure we are under, at what point would we refuse this?

“This application ticks all of the boxes. It ticks all criteria’s for the London plan.”

The construction will mean that trees are lost however plans suggest there will be replanting in the west end of the park.

Old Farm Park is designated as an area of Urban Open Space, land that the Unitary Development Plan says is important for the landscape of the borough.

A motion to grant outline planning permission was carried.