A Bexleyheath resident has vowed not to give up in her fight against plans to build a 13-storey housing development on the site of the old Civic Centre.

Ann Kournif has called on other residents to join her as she takes an appeal to City Hall over the proposal to build 518 new homes.

The plans, submitted by developer Bellway Homes, were approved in a council meeting last Thursday (June 14) despite opposition from residents.

Joseph Smith, who objected to plans at the meeting, told News Shopper he and his family are now looking to leave Bexleyheath after living there for 18 years.

However, Mrs Kournif has urged him and others to keep fighting.

“Why would you let these people force you out? We can’t let them get away with it,” she told News Shopper.

Mrs Kournif, who has lived in Bexleyheath for four years, already moved once from Redbridge because there was “too much development” in the area.

However, she told News Shopper “I can’t afford to move again. I’m stuck here whatever.”

She has criticised Sadiq Khan’s housing plan – which sets a quota for housebuilding in the capital – for not understanding the borough of Bexley.

“We are not an inner London borough,” Mrs Kournif said.

She added she hoped Mr Khan would come to visit the borough to learn more about its suburban qualities.

Mrs Kournif has urged anyone who wants to get involved with her campaign to email her at annkournif@sky.com

In a statement to News Shopper, Cllrs Brad Smith, Eileen Pallen and Sue Gower said: “We object to the fact that Bexley's housing policy has effectively been taken over by the Mayor, and urged the planning committee to search for a way around this.”