BUSINESSES and residents joined forces to oppose a huge residential development on a former factory site.

Developer Wagemans Maastricht wanted to build 450 homes on the 15.5-acre site, off Maiden Lane, Crayford, which was formerly occupied by the Samas Roneo office furniture company.

However, the outline proposal attracted opposition from a variety of sources, including the Crayford Community and Business Forum, whose vice chairman Howard Marriner spoke at the council's planning committee meeting to oppose the scheme.

He said the forum had been alerted by residents and after looking at the proposals, it was concerned about the number of homes proposed for the site and the number of five-storey blocks of flats.

It was also concerned about the extra traffic, particularly in Maiden Lane, where there is a narrow railway bridge and the risk of flooding.

The proposal was also opposed by ward councillors.

Councillor Trevor Perrin echoed the concerns of residents and said the scheme was in conflict with the Crayford action plan.

Other objections came from the Mayor of London, who was concerned about the loss of industrial land; the Environment Agency, which was concerned about the flood risk and highways engineers concerned about the effect on roads in the area.

David Morris, speaking for the company's agents, complained to the committee about the unwillingness of Bexley's planning officers to meet with his company to discuss the proposals.

But members were told meetings were not considered to be useful in this case because the scheme was in such conflict with strategic plans for the area.

The developer has already lodged a planning appeal on an identical application.

The committee unanimously rejected the plans.