THE FUTURE of a controversial new development including a 13-storey hotel near Walthamstow Central station will be decided later this month.

Solum Regeneration wants to build 69 homes in two residential units, five shops and a 99-room hotel at the site next to Priory Avenue.

Some residents have criticised the £15 million development, calling it ugly and complaining its height is excessive.

They also accused the company of misrepresenting the plans to the community by using publicity images which did not show the full scale of the development – a claim denied by Solum Regeneration.

The developer altered its original plans last year following a consultation with residents and the council.

It said it has responded to residents' concerns by lowering the height of two proposed residential blocks in the development from a maximum of 11 and nine storeys respectively to eight storeys each.

Under the new plans, the hotel will have 99 rooms instead of 88, while the number of homes will be reduced from 87 to 69. The exact location of the planned buildings has been tweaked, as has their design.

The plans also include a pedestrian “link” to Queens Road station and a new public square.

The application says the scheme will “create a vibrant new place and provide a landmark development forming an environmental and economic gateway to the town centre”.

The developer claims that the current car park “lacks activity, character landscape and ecology”.

Solum, which is a partnership between Kier Property and Network Rail, maintains the scheme will “vastly improve” the area.

The council's planning committee will rule on the proposal on January 20.

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