Plans to erect more than 200 flats on a greenfield site have been approved despite ongoing concerns over affordable housing.

Bellway Homes has been given the green light to build seven apartment blocks between Crossways Boulevard and St Mary's Road in Stone.

In total, the developer plans to create 258 one, two and three bedroom flats to be accompanied by parking and cycle storage.

The land on which Bellways plans to build has previously been subject to two separate planning bids, first for a five storey hotel, and later an approved bid for 152 flats. Additional land has been acquired by the developer to add a further 106 homes on site.

Last week members of Dartford council's development control board met to debate the application dubbed "Crossways Quarter".

It comes after the application was deferred by the board last month after concerns were raised over parking allocation, among other issues.

The developer has since revised its bid to take account of these points and has now upped its offer of 14 visitor spaces to 57 – to also include four car club and two van spaces.

This is to be factored into the plans through reallocating planned green spaces as additional parking slots in line with the wishes of certain councillors.

Greenhithe Cllr David Mote (Con) said: "I was one of the councillors that was keen to see additional parking but obviously we were concerned about amenities, loss of communal space and of course affordable housing."

"We've now been through many of the various points which have been changed and upgraded in many respects and I think this is a far better application than the one we had before."

Noting the role of the development control board he added: "We have to recognise the fact that we can't automatically stop people building.

"But we do have a responsibility that what they are building is what we want and I think by deferring this at the last meeting we have seen a tremendous upgrade in the application."

But outstanding concerns were raised by some councillors over the quota of affordable housing offered which fell well below the council's current policy of 30%.

At the previous planning meeting held last month the developer was accused of "pleading poverty".

It comes after Bellway conceded it had reduced its offer to 10% on account of "the impact of the global pandemic on the cost of the development relative to sale prices".

Despite this planning officers recommended its approval, explaining that affordable housing was "much needed", albeit at a lower percentage.

In her report Dartford planning officer Emma Eisinger said: "The applicant has demonstrated that the scheme is not viable with a higher percentage of affordable housing as well as other costs such as contributions such as social care and libraries.

"Whilst ideally the development would be delivered with the full 30% affordable housing, I give weight to the fact that some would be of an affordable rented tenure and this is much needed in the borough."

However, this was dismissed by Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley councillor Calvin McLean (Con), who was among those who stated they could not support the application.

"If this is a windfall site... there should be some benefit to it," he said. "The fact it can't meet the affordable housing supply for me is just a no go."

Cllr McLean added: "26 measly units in a development with 200 plus just seems to me to be derisory and its a slippery slope.

"I can't remember a time that a developer has come and fulfilled the 30% because they are all so poor, even before Covid."

"It is about time we start making a stand as a board because this isn't good enough."

Cllr Tom Maddison (Lab) endorsed his fellow councillor's comments, saying it was a "farce" if developers repeatedly failed to match the council's quota, adding "I do think in the future we need to tighten this up a bit."

But with little planning grounds to justify blocking the application he went on to add "It's all about pound, shilling and pence at the end of the day unfortunately."

Chairman of the board meeting, Cllr Derek Hunnisett (Con) reminded members of the current government guidance which suggests applications should not be refused on account of affordable housing if a viability statement supports that.

Bellway has pledged to give existing Dartford residents priority and councillors were told the new Copperhouse Green development and marketing suite in the town centre would promote this.

A viability review has been factored in which gives the developer two years to start construction before it has to review the profitability of the site.

Councillors voted 6-3 in favour of approving the development.

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