THE redevelopment of a town square has been branded an eyesore and a "waste of money" following its official opening.

The Wood Street 'plaza' in Walthamstow was formally unveiled yesterday (Thursday September 1) and forms part of a £1.8million council project to revitalise the area.

But critics have accused the authority of ignoring the views of residents and say the design is of poor quality.

The redevelopment of the plaza, which is next to the Northwood Tower housing block, has included granite resurfacing, new seating, the extension of a play area, new lighting and decorative water jets, along with other features such as a drinking fountain.

But Adrian Stannard, of the Waltham Forest Civic Society, said: “Not only is it an expensive waste of money but it seems the views of the community have been ignored.

“It's just one big expanse of granite, there's no greenery at all. When the sun's shining on the surface it hurts your eyes.

“The water features will need to be maintained and I don't believe it will be sustainable in the long-term.”

While many children who attended the opening ceremony enjoyed the new water features, others were less than impressed.

Margaret McFarquhar, 75, of nearby Parkstone Road, said: “It's not going to last five minutes before it's vandalised.

“It's a waste of taxpayers' money and they should be spending it on better things like the elderly.

“They could have had a garden but it's just all granite. I've seen it before where kids put soap in these types of water features.”

But Cllr Clyde Loakes, cabinet member for the environment, said residents had been engaged and that it would bring benefits to the area.

He said: “We want the Plaza to become a focal point for the community and I believe the changes will encourage local people to make the most of it.”

He added: “By putting in lots of clever lighting we have also made it a much more attractive area that people will hopefully feel safer and happier to use.”

The council has said the remaining cash from the £1.8million fund will be used to install granite kerbs and paving at major junctions along Wood Street, with work due to begin in early in 2012.

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