WALTHAM FOREST: 'Green space' warning for borough
10:24am Friday 16th May 2008
WALTHAM Forest is in danger of becoming a borough with "no green space", according to a planning committee member.
Conservative group leader Matt Davis was speaking shortly before the committee granted permission for two homes on a green space behind 217 Westward Road, in Chingford.
Cllr Davis said: "it is extremely disappointing that we have a policy context in which building on green spaces is encouraged, I would like to see this rectified in the next couple of years one way or another.
"If we are not careful we will be left with a borough with no green spaces left anywhere in it."
Seven letters of complaint were received from residents who claimed the development would lead to a loss of privacy, trees and increase demand for parking.
A grass verge containing tow mature poplar trees will be retained.
Cllr Alan Siggers raised concerns about access to the development as the verge is owned by Waltham Forest Council.
But the committee could not find sufficient reason to turn the application down, Councillors voted to give permission for the development on the condition that the applicant first secures permission from the council to use the access.