The third phase of a controversial West London residential development has been approved and expanded to include hundreds more homes than originally planned.

The Friary Park development in East Acton will see 1,345 homes built – an increase of 355.

The entire project will comprise twelve blocks meters away from Acton Main Line station. The third phase approval from Ealing Council's planning committee means construction can begin on five of the twelve tower blocks on the 1.13 hectares site.

Of the 693 flats, 148 will be 'affordable'. This will be split between 80 homes marked for shared ownership, 31 for the London Affordable Rent scheme, and 37 for social rent.

The scheme has been heavily criticised by the campaign group Cap the Towers, which includes TV presenter Sean Fletcher. He has long campaigned against the Friary Park development on social media.

Earlier this year, Ealing Council's new local plan suggested towers should be capped at 14 storeys. The local plan did not affect the initial phases of the development, but Mr Fletcher described it as 'a huge victory for all of us' in a video shared on YouTube.

Mr Fletcher and Cap the Towers believed approval couldn't be given for the third phase with plans to reach 24 storeys, however Wednesday's decision means the 24 storey tower will be built.

Phase three (Blocks C-D) on a map (Image: Ealing Council).

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Directly addressing the councillors via video, Mr Fletcher said: "If you vote for this, you will be seen as complicit in all this deception and lying… its density, in this one corner of the estate, is to be cramped into nearly 700 flats, more than the rest of the estate put together… the result is dangerous overcrowding.

There were a total of 152 objections left on Ealing Council's websites by residents, compared to only one comment supporting the application. The Churchfield Community Association, a Central Acton residents association, called the development 'overbearing and dominating'.

It said: " When something this large is built it only makes things worse when it is both highly visible and not an inspiring design. They are blocks that could be anywhere.

"They remain completely out of keeping with the local area. The new proposal for phase 3 makes things even worse than the previously consented plans by going even higher."

This phase will be made up of 70 studio flats, 296 one-bedroom flats, 310 two-bedroom flats, 14 three-bedroom flats, and 3 four-bedroom flats. The tallest block will reach 24 storeys, which is two storeys higher than originally planned, with connecting blocks towering up to 12 storeys high.

As part of the application, the construction of a community centre has been also been approved. This will have a cafe space, co-working space, a large hall and multi-use space.

The 450 sqm space has been co-designed with existing Friary Park residents. There will also be a gaming/podcast room, a kitchen and food bank store.

There is also a shortfall in public open space usually required for a development this size. Council officers say this has been recognised, and the developer would pay £350,000 in section 106 contributions to mitigate this.

The councillors voted unanimously in favour of the development. The plans will now go before the GLA for stage 2 approval.