Neighbours have spoken out against a proposal to build a road through a public green to provide access to new large homes in the grounds of a historic manor house.

Plans have now been submitted by Atlantic Property Management and architects See Saw Studios to convert grade II-listed Friday Hill House, in Simmons Lane, Chingford, into ten flats.

A cul-de-sac development of six semi-detached, three-bedroom homes with private gardens is also planned in the west of the site and developers hope to build a road through a green on Simmons Lane to provide access to the properties. 

The ‘Mathison Room’ on the ground floor of the house will be used as a community centre and function room, under the proposal.

Ross Wilson, 38, lives with his wife Sarah and three young children by the green and is one of a number of residents who spoke to the Guardian and criticised the plan. 

He said: "We moved here because of the green and to start a family.

"Our kids play there but now they want to put a road through the green."

The building was designed by Lewis Vulliamy in 1839 and served as a manor house of the Heathcote family until 1915.  

Meanwhile, piles of rubbish, including dozens of mattresses, have been left in the grounds of the house. 

Atlantic has been served a notice by the council to remove the rubbish within seven days.

After that, if it is proved that the site is being used to transfer waster without an environmental permit, the company could be fined up to £3million.

Atlantic has been approached for comment.

For more on this story, see this week's Guardian - out Thursday