RESIDENTS have pledged to unite to fight plans for a “ugly” high-rise development close to Walthamstow Central station.

Solum Regeneration has submitted revised plans for the £15 million scheme in part of the station’s car park, which includes a 12-storey block of flats, a hotel and five new shops.

But the proposals have been criticised by residents living nearby who have called on the council to insist on a better design.

Now Priory Avenue Residents' Association (PARA) and Cedars Avenue Residents' Association (CARA) have joined forces to launch a campaign against the proposals.

Sally Stephens, chairwoman of PARA, said: "We are in the process of organising a mass campaign against the proposal. We aim to gather as much support as we can both from the many people who will be directly affected and from the wider community.

"The local residents will of course be the most affected by this ugly monster of a development. We are extremely unhappy with the plans that have been put forward.

"It is a development that no-one wants. When the council conducted an extensive consultation a few years ago the public voted overwhelmingly for low rise development. This has been blatantly ignored.

"The proposed residential and hotel scheme is completely out of keeping with the surrounding streetscapes and urban profile. It is adjacent to terraced Victorian houses.

"It will blight our daylight, sunlight and back gardens. With the hotel and flats at 13 storeys and another nine storeys of flats, it will absolutely loom over the surrounding streets.

"We agree that much could be done to improve the area, especially around the station. However, the comment by the developers that ‘the new station public square will create a new sense of space and provide a unique and distinct character is laughable’.

It is not a square but a turning space for cars with no artistic or architectural merit.

"PARA will be joining forces with other groups and are planning a public meeting in opposition to this crime against design."

But Solum Regeneration say the development will improve the area, which it says is not pedestrain-friendly or attractive.

A spokesman said that proposals will provide an important opportunity to revitalise a central town centre location, provide a quality place to live, work and visit that will support local jobs, strengthen the town centre and deliver an economic investment.

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