WILDLIFE will be destroyed and cars will block the street if plans to build a five-bedroom house on parkland get the go-ahead, say residents.

Wanstead Golf Club has applied to develop land in Warren Road, Wanstead, which borders Wanstead Park.

However, residents argue that the development encroaches on parkland and will result in traffic chaos as residents at the new development compete with walkers for parking space at the park entrance.

Andrew Wernick, 49, of nearby Warren Drive, said: “It is important to protect wildlife and the the habitats of animals will be destroyed by this. They should keep the green spaces near Wanstead Park undeveloped.

“The building itself is too big and is inappropriate. I just do not think it should be there really.”

Wanstead Parklands Project, who campaign to protect the park, have written to the council to object to the plans.

Member Ralph Potter said: “It is an intrusion in the green spaces of Wanstead and we object to it on that basis.

“It also means that the golf club may be in financial trouble and could have to sell-up. If that is the case we would want assurances that any buyer would not ruin the parkland that is there.

Alan Cornish, also of the Wanstead Parklands Community Project, argued that the site for the proposed development is close to a busy entrance to Wanstead Flats where walkers park their vehicles. He said that cars belonging to the new block's residents could lead to the street becoming further congested.

“It is already jammed here with parked cars on weekends,” he said.

“There is certainly not enough room for more cars down there.

“This development is bad news for anyone who cares about the green spaces in Wanstead.”