PLANS by Barnardo’s to build 142 new homes have been given the go-ahead after the children’s charity amended its proposals in response to concerns raised by elderly people living nearby.

The pensioners, who live in Copperfield Court in Village Way, Barkingside, had been worried that the new homes in Tanners Lane would shatter the peace and quiet of their sheltered accommodation.

But after enlisting the support of their local MP Lee Scott and councillor Vanessa Cole, residents secured a series of concessions from Barnardo’s.

During three months of negotiations, Barnardo’s scrapped plans for an access road, agreed to provide fencing around the new homes and promised a donation towards the cost of additional trees and hedges to further enhance privacy at Copperfield Court.

The amended plans were approved by the council on August 25.

Peter Brook, Barnardo’s UK Director of Corporate Resources, said: “We are delighted that we can begin work on the regeneration of the Barnardo’s site in Barkingside.”

Copperfield Court resident Frances Cohen, 74, added: “Everything that we asked for has been done.

“I’m so relieved, we all are. This is wonderful news.”

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