A scheme dubbed “garden-grabbing plain and simple” has been approved by Bexley councillors.

A contentious plan to build a four-bedroom detached house in Parkwood Road, Bexley was pushed back earlier this year after concerns were raised that it needed the use of private land to be built.

Objectors said there were problems with the proposed height, the impact on traffic and access to the site from Warwick Close.

The site would require an access road to be built over parts of a private garden, much to the annoyance of its owner who said they would never agree.

The homeowner, whose name was given only as Mr Dee, who lives in Warwick Close, told the planning meeting: “The application is an outrageous example of garden-grabbing and at worst a cynical plan to increase value with a quick sale with planning permission.

“The application is lodged in the full knowledge that it can’t be built, there is no access from Warwick Close and there never has been.

“Neither the applicant or the council own the land adjacent in Warwick close adjacent to Parkwood Road – it is is owned by us.

“According to the application an access road will be built over our land and we have made it clear that such permission will not be granted.”

Access is a civil matter and not a matter for a planning committee to decide.

Ward councillor Alex Sawyer called for the council to pressure the government to change planning policy.

He said: “The fact remains that it is garden-grabbing pure and simple and as a point of principle it should be refused.

“No access will be granted to the applicant, not today, tomorrow, this month or next year.

“The application therefore is a total waste of time, effort and money.

“The council is in a unique position to make recommendations to government in the strongest terms that policy should be changed, that applications that will never see the light of day, should be dealt with common sense as oppose to process.

“I do not criticise the applicant or wish to cast aspersions on their motives, their attempts to allay height should be welcomed – but the fact remains that not one turf will be dug, all this application will do is gather dust on a shelf.”

Planning conditions exist, meaning the house could not be built without suitable access roads.

Councillor Andy Dourmish said: “We’ve got this condition which in effect means that nothing can be built – they are never ever going to get consent for right to the land.

“In terms of common sense, are we obliged to accept this type of application where in reality we are wasting our time, money and expense, where it is going to go a certain distance and then stop.”

Councillors eventually voted in favour of the application.