A new application for a development between 20 and 35 storeys with one tower for student accommodation on the Carpetright Site in Loampit Vale was approved by Lewisham’s strategic planning committee.

A similar scheme was approved in March for a 16 and 30 storey building, which did not have student accommodation.

But the new scheme will see the number of flats increase to 319 from 242, 29 per cent of which will be affordable – an increase from 20 per cent.

Of the affordable flats, 60 per cent will be for target social rent and 40 per cent will be shared ownership.

The scheme also includes a ticket hall for the proposed Bakerloo line extension.

Cllr James-J Walsh queried the light levels in student bedrooms and said this could have an effect on mental health, but a planning officer said 91 per cent of the rooms have very good levels of daylight.

The committee were told the similar scheme, which was given the green light in March, had the same light levels.

Cllr Walsh also looked for assurances around wifi and broadband strength for the students.

A spokesman for the applicant said they would work with one of the top student management companies in the uk and would  “go to significant lenghths” to ensure the broadband works.

Councillors also raised concerns about extra pressure on Lewisham Station, which currently has a one-way system during rush hour to keep passengers safe from overcrowding.

But the spokesman said the new scheme would only see an extra 83 ‘visits’ to the station during the morning peak .

Speaking against the development, Cheryl McLeod from the Lewisham Housing Forum said the towers were too tall and did not include enough social housing.

“Lewisham town centre has already been blighted by…high rise, low quality buildings,” she told the committee.

But planning officer Michael Forrester said there had been “a lot of back and forth” on financial viability – whether the developer could afford to build more social housing.

Cllr James-J Walsh and Cllr Aisling Gallagher voted against the development.