A CONTROVERSIAL housing development has been turned down for the FIFTH time despite winning the backing of council planning officers.

Telford Homes' application to build six semi-detached houses and 18 flats on the site of Chepstow House, in Leicester Road, Wanstead, was turned down by councillors at a regulatory committee meeting on Monday night.

The Counties Residents Association (CRA) and Wanstead Society both objected to the proposals, which they claim are out of keeping with the area's newly required conservation status and would see the building of too many new homes.

CRA chairwoman Helen Zammett was cheered on by more than 60 supporters when she spoke out against the plan at the meeting.

She told the Guardian: “We are all delighted. There was no way that they could have accepted such a low quality of design for a site like that.

“And it just goes to show that community action can succeed and that people really care about their quality of life in Wanstead.

“From the report it was obvious that the expertise was against Telford's scheme but the officers recommended acceptance without any substance.”

But the battle is unlikely to be over with Telford Homes indicating at the meeting that it would appeal if the plan was turned down - with the council left to pick up the bill.

Wanstead ward Cllr Alex Wilson said: “It was turned down by an almost unanimous decision and was a fantastic result.

“The block facing Nutter Lane was utterly inappropriate especially considering the status the Grove and Counties Estates have as the borough's latest conservation areas.

“I think there's every chance [it would be turned down by the Planning Inspector on appeal] as the fundamental objections have not been resolved and the near majority verdict gives a clear mandate from the committee to turn it down.

“I must pay tribute to the efforts of the local residents and Helen Zammett who spoke very passionately.”

Telford Homes' managing director Mark Parker said he was disappointed by the committee's decision.

He said: "We felt it was a good scheme and complied with all the Planning Inspector's requirements.

"For some reason we were not permitted to speak at the meeting despite having registered to and only objectors were called.

"We think this may have prejudiced our case and we may be appealing in the future."