PLANNING permission has been granted for a new housing development in Leyton despite a show of fierce opposition at last night's council meeting.

The development, planned for Robinia Crescent, will see 18 three- and four-bedroom houses and 16 one- and two-bedroom flats built by next year.

But residents living in Robinia Crescent said they feel the development is too large and will be a 'tight squeeze' on the site.

Speaking for his ward constituents Cllr Bob Sullivan said: “If you go through the report, it says these houses are comparable to the ones facing them but they're not.

“When it says contemporary design, what it means is that it looks awful.”

He also stressed the possibility of a rise in crime as the area is known for gang activity.

He added that using the 2001 census as a guide for how much parking would be needed was unrealistic as populations had changed since then.

Residents also raised concerns over how easy it would be for emergency vehicles to gain access to the site as well as the possible increase in noise and pollution.

Speaking in defence of the scheme, a representative of applicants L&Q said: “We understand the fear of change and that people care about the way they live.

“We've been responsible for successful, harmonious domestic environments.”

Councillors were divided over whether to grant permission as the need for extra family housing was weighed against the size of the development.

Planning committee chairman Cllr Masood Ahmad used his casting vote after the committee reached a stalemate and the scheme was given the go-ahead.