A PROPOSAL to demolish four houses and replace them with 45 flats has been met with a resounding refusal from the council.

Residents opposed to the plans, put forward by L&C Housing and Family Mosaic, packed the council chamber at tonight’s (Tuesday) planning meeting.

The site, in Kings Head Hill, Chingford, was earmarked by developers for a new estate, which would have been 100 per cent affordable housing.

Speaking for his ward constituents, Cllr Andy Hemsted said: “The design is as if someone had gone mad with a set square and a ruler.

“It’s hideous. It would create massive parking problems.”

The proposed development was likened to a ‘detention centre’ and was described as being ‘totally out of character’ for the area.

It would have included 29 units for social tenants and 16 for those paying intermediate rent.

A petition was raised against the plans, which garnered 159 signatures, as residents voiced concerns over the potential strain on local amenities.

Speaking at the meeting, planning committee member Cllr Ed Northover said: “I think this application shouldn’t be here.

“This should be taken back to the drawing board and replaced with something much more suitable.”

The £25,000 contribution towards local healthcare under a planned section 106 agreement was also questioned, as well as the demolition of four occupied homes.

Residents also complained of the potential risk posed of loss of privacy and daylight.

Speaking in defence of the proposals, a representative of Family Mosaic said: “A total of 16 homes would be provided as low-cost shared home ownership homes.

“There would be key workers living there such as teachers, police and nurses. The sustainable community strategy identified the need to maintain young working families.”

But councillors agreed that the application constituted an overdevelopment of the site and should not be granted permission.