THE developer wanting to construct nearly 60 flats on Highams Park Station car park has refused to say why it withdrew its application.

Alec Coggins managing director of Blackmore Building Services Ltd declined to give a reason for the withdrawal but did not rule out submitting a future application to build flats on the car park.

Residents living near the car park strongly objected to plans by the developer to build nearly 60 affordable flats on the car park because they are concerned about the effect it would have on hedgerow aged almost 700 years-old and protected species such as stag beetles and birds such as the song thrush.

They are also deeply critical of the council's decision to increase car parking charges by 120 per cent from £2 per day to £5 per day, prompting commuters to park in the surrounding streets for free, much to the annoyance of residents who have difficulty parking outside their homes.

Residents are concerned that the new flats would make the parking problems even worse.

They are also worried about loss of privacy and the impact on schools and doctors' surguries with the additonal 218 people moving to the area.

Malcom Shykles, of Coolgardie Avenue, yards from the proposed development, said: "We are not celebrating because the developer could resubit their plans. As the current fall in house prices makes the affordable home as expensive as a decent home there is probably no point in building them at this time."

He added: "Following the car parking increases instead of 120 cars parking in the car park each day only eight or 15 parked there.The loss to the council is something like £62,000 a year so it has lost around £120,000 so far."

Sandeep Christian, vice-chairman of the Hale End and Highams Park Conservative Party, said: "Since the charge was increased, cars have clogged up local streets.

"Why is the Lib-Lab council against commuters driving to park at the station?"