Disused buildings next to Kingston Cemetery are set to be torn down to be replaced with 20 flats, after councillors voted to grant planning permission.

The warehouse in Bonner Hill Road was previously used by coffee supplier Fine Foods International, but it has been vacant for more than a year – and the site has been marketed since 2014.

Speaking at the development control committee on April 19 on behalf of the applicant, Richmond Housing Partnership, Tim Gaskell said: “Put simply, it’s not a good place for a business.”

Richmond Housing Partnership provides housing for rent, principally for people who cannot afford to rent or buy, and the charity already owns and manages 313 homes in Kingston.

All 20 of the new homes would fall under the government’s definition of “affordable housing”.

Opposing the development at the meeting was Bonner Hill Road resident Lisa Doherty, who said she was representing others who live around the site as well.

She said: “Per the plans, it absolutely would dominate the street, and dwarf the rest of the housing.

“The street is full of Victorian terraces, and it does have a lot of character. The street does have a lot of potential to be regenerated – that’s not what we are against. We are against the look and feel of the building.”

Mr Gaskell was unapologetic for proposing a “modern” building, but councillors also voted for the developers’ choice of materials to come back to the committee.

Ward councillor Bill Brisbane called the plans “poor”, but also said: “Having said that, I obviously welcome the fact that we have got 100 per cent affordable housing.”

Councillor Eric Humphrey said councillors should not “nitpick” over design details, and leave it to officers.

He said: “I would feel very bad indeed – and this is after 24 years on the council – if at the last council meeting I attended we refused an application designed to provide 20 affordable homes in a residential area.”