A CONTROVERSIAL plan to demolish a row of shops and build a new three-storey housing development has been given the go-ahead by the Planning Inspectorate - despite being rejected by Redbridge Council.

An application to replace four empty premises in Station Parade, opposite Snaresbrook Tube station, with a block containing five flats and a ground floor restaurant was turned down by Redbridge Council in February last year on the grounds that it would have an "unacceptable impact" on local residents and Snaresbrook Conservation Area.

But the decision has now been overruled by planning inspector Terry Phillimore, who said the scheme would have a limited impact on people living nearby and that the council had failed to explain "the adverse effect that it alleges the proposal would have" on the conservation area.

He said: "In my assessment there would be no adverse effect on views to or from the Conservation Area or on its setting, and its character and appearance would be preserved.

"I conclude that the proposal would comply with the requirement of policy BD1 for development not to prejudice the amenity of neighbouring occupiers by unreasonably restricting sunlight, daylight or privacy to their properties."

Terry Cohen, of Malcolm Way, said many residents felt let down by the planning process.

He said: "This has come as a bit of a shock to us after it (the application) was turned down by the council.

"It makes a mockery of the whole process as far as I'm concerned.

"How can the council raise concerns about (the development) overlooking neighbouring properties and blocking out light on the one hand, and then this inspector just comes along and says they're wrong?

"This end of the High Street needs sprucing up, but this building will be far too big and will look completely out of place."

These views were shared by fellow Malcolm Way resident, Lucy Ellery.

She said: "It just seems that developers can do what ever they want.

"Where are all these extra people going to park for a start?"

The council has been contacted but has yet to make a statement on the issue.

A spokesman for Andrew Dobson Architects said: "(Station Parade) is the entrance to the area from the station.

"It's the first thing people see and (the development) should be seen as an opportunity to improve on that."