RESIDENTS have hit out at plans to build flats on land prone to flooding.

Protestors living on Hill Farm Estate, Woodford Green, previously helped to thwart an attempt to build 13 apartments on the corner of Westview Drive and Portman Drive.

Developer Leigh Kramer has now scaled down the plans and is hoping to demolish houses and build nine flats on the site, which was underwater eight years ago when the River Roding burst its banks.

Portman Drive resident Aliza Tinn has organised a petition with 150 signatures.

She said: “The gardens, where they are proposing to build, flooded terribly in November 2000 and I have pictures of them under four feet of water.

“When it rains the water will have nowhere to run off and it’s just going to be detrimental for the area.”

Christine Wintle has lived opposite the site for 34 years.

She said: “The main concern for me, except the flooding, is that they want to put the entrance to the flats exactly where the bend in the road is.

“It’s a sharpe turning and it slopes upwards so it’s really dangerous in winter.

“Our car has been smashed twice and if they put the entrance there it’s just going to make it horrific for the people who live here.”

A decision on the application is due on September 5.

A council spokesperson said: “The previous application for the site for 13 flats was refused as it would not have provided affordable housing and the whole of the proposed development, including the proposed driveway to the property, would have been intrusive to the neighbouring properties, out of character with the surrounding area and harmful to amenities afforded to nearby residents.”

Leigh Kramer was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.