A TROUBLED Leyton estate could be blighted with new high rise towers, a ward councillor has claimed.

Cllr Bob Sullivan claims plans are being put forward to build five-, seven-, and nine-storey blocks on the Beaumont Estate, in Capworth Street.

The estate, which is managed by housing association L&Q, is currently undergoing major redevelopment and two of its three tower blocks have already been pulled down.

Cllr Sullivan said: “The residents agreed the development and they're taking down all three tower blocks, but keeping the low-rise blocks.

“They're filling in the spaces with houses and flats but now they're thinking of putting in these five-, seven-, and nine-storey blocks.”

He added that the new scheme would bring in 163 flats with 40 parking spaces and that the new towers could encourage vandalism.

“We've had lots of problems with youths getting in and smoking and drinking in the stairwells,” Cllr Sullivan said.

“We need more family houses. The mayor and the Government want more units built and they go for flats, but we've got too many in this area.”

He added that a public meeting had been held and that no one had been in favour of the new proposals.

“We just got rid of the high rises and now they want to build some more – it's not right,” he said.

The redevelopment of the site is a multi-million pound undertaking, which will include demolishing the three high-rise towers and refurbishing smaller blocks.

A spokesman for L&Q said: "The new proposals in question relate to phase 4 of the redevelopment.

"The original plans were drawn up in early 2002 and in order to continually meet the ever-changing housing needs of residents, new proposals have been put forward.

"We stress that these are only proposals and have been subject to extensive local consultation.

"Following the consultation sessions, plans are currently being revised to take into account the comments of local residents and local councillors.

"Further consultation will take place once the revised plans have been drawn up."