PLANS to establish a conservation area protecting 100-year-old old houses have run into delays after objections from residents.

Last year residents started a campaign for parts of the Monkhams area of Woodford to Green to be made in to a conservation area.

This would recognise the special architectural importance of the area, putting in place strict restrictions preventing developers destroying or spoiling buildings.

The conservation area would cover the streets of large Edwardian and inter-war houses immediately surrounding Woodford Tube Station wuch as Monkhams Drive, Monkhams Avenue and Queens Avenue The area would include the house of post-war Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee in Monkams Avenue.

In early June councillors granted £3,950 for a six-week public consultation, seeking residents’ views on the plans.

However, a number of residents have objected, citing fears that conditions on new developments may be too stringent, pushing the date for the decision back to November while their issues are addressed.

It was initially hoped that the conservation area would be established by September.

Redbridge Councillor Michael Stark, who has been involved in the campaign from the outset, said: “I think we are likely to get a 99 per cent positive reaction from residents.

“It is one of the very few areas in the borough that is untouched from the day it was first built. It is very rare to find that.

“There are always a few people who do will want to make further alterations to their home and don’t want anything getting in the way. However it is important to protect the unique character of the area.”

Anne Stimpson, of the Woodford Green Amenity Group, which campaigns to protect the character of the area, said: “I am disappointed that we have not had a definite approval yet.

“People should be aware that may still be able to make alterations at the back of their properties, it is just the fronts that must be left.”

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