A HISTORIC home which once housed a cannabis factory and was partially destroyed by arsonists is subject to yet another application to replace it with flats.

The Cottage, Broomhill Walk, Woodford Green, caught fire in 'suspicious' circumstances in June last year while subject to a planning dispute.

A fierce Guardian-backed campaign from residents convinced Redbridge Council to refuse an application to build eight flats on the site as it would be out of keeping with the surrounding conservation area.

But now property developers have applied for the SIXTH time to tear down the derelict building and build two four-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments in its place.

Former journalist Anne Smith lives just a few doors away from The Cottage and wants to see it returned to its former glory.

The mum-of-two said: "I think the owners should be forced to rebuild it as it once looked. It certainly seems suspicious that is burnt down in such a manner.

"I think there are too many small flats and really to have a block of them like that facing the Green is just not appropriate."

This application is just the latest episode in the extraordinary history of the house, which was raided by police in March last year after being used as a cannabis factory.

Retired banker Nisar Rais lives next door to the four-bedroom house and called emergency services when he first spotted the June fire.

The father-of-two said: "I hope the plan is turned down and we wrote to the council to complain about all aspects.

"I think they should reject it straight away as it is the same application as before only this one has six flats instead of eight."

John Appleby and Nicholas Stavri, of J and N Property Developers which own the Broomhill Walk house, declined to comment when approached by the Guardian.

A decision on the application is expected in the next few weeks.

A police spokesman said: "This incident was treated as suspicious and has been fully investigated.

"Despite extensive enquiries and forensic examination of the scene, no suspects have been identified.

"The case has been closed pending any further information coming to light.

"At this time there are no grounds to suspect this incident has any connection with the planning application."