AN MP is calling on a council to dismiss an unpopular proposal for eight new flats.

Developer Lee Jose has submitted a planning application to Redbridge Council for the fourth time to demolish the historic Bedford House in Bedford Road, South Woodford.

He wants to knock the house down to make way for eight flats and the proposal has been met with more that a dozen letters of objection from residents.

Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, met residents in Bedford Road on Friday.

He met with the same group of residents in January 2009, when he listened to criticisms that the development would not be right for the area.

The plan is to build eight flats, in a new 2.5 storey building, and the proposal comes after an application for a block of nine flats was knocked back by the council earlier this year.

When the latest application was registered last month, Susan Brown, who lives in the road, told the Guardian that residents would object again as they have in the past.

Monica Mukherji, who lives in Bedford Road, is one of the objectors.

She wrote to the council and said: "I was very surprised to receive the notification of yet another plannig application for 5 Bedford Road.

"How many more such applications can be made?

"Surely there should be a limit on the number of times a developer can submit so-called revisions to plans."

Residents' main gripes about the proposed development are that flats would be out of character with the rest of the road and Bedford House, an imposing Victorian building, should not be allowed to be demolished.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “I was disappointed to hear that a fourth application has been made to demolish the historic Bedford House.

"Sue Brown and the other residents are not giving up their campaign to save Bedford House and I hope Redbridge Council will finally now take note of the residents’ objections and put an end to this.”

Mr Jose, of LJ Construcion whic is based in Southend, told the Guardian he has spent about £50,000 on the various applications and designs and remains committed to the site.

He maintains that people are no longer buying large family homes and the design is sympathetic to the area.

Redbridge Council is due to make a decision next month.