Despite only having three "affordable" homes in its initial application, plans to demolish two vacant workshops and build a block of flats have been approved.

Plans were submitted in September last year to do away with the current buildings at the rear of 2 Bensham Lane and build 20 new homes.

Two years prior to that, a similar application was submitted by the same company but was refused on the basis that the council believed there was still commercial opportunities for the site.

In a planning statement prepared on behalf of Regent Land and Development this time around, it said since 2016 they have "undertaken extensive marketing" but found now suitors.

"The existing buildings are in extremely poor condition and have no realistic prospect of attracting future commercial operators," the application read.

"Furthermore, they are surrounded by predominantly residential properties, which further constrain their employment potential.

"The buildings have also been subject to anti-social behaviour owed to their vacant status.

"We consider there to be no merit in retaining the existing buildings on the site and the site is not considered to have a future as an employment site."

But despite the London Plan stating that new developments should aim to have 30 per cent affordable homes, the plans were submitted with only three of 20 homes hitting that mark.

But in approving the development, the case officer stated that a minimum of six would have to be affordable, a jump from 15 per cent to 30 per cent.