EPPING: Neighbours slam housing plan (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

EPPING: Neighbours slam housing plan

3:42pm Friday 26th February 2010 in

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WORRIED residents have criticised plans by a housing association to increase the size of a house on their street without explanation.

People living in Rayfield, Epping, say the proposal by Ascham Homes to build a large extension to a family home and turn it into a five-bedroom structure would be dramatically out of keeping with their neighbourhood, and are fearful over what the housing body plans to do with the site.

Epping Town Council, The Epping Society and 17 residents have all objected to the development, but district council officers have recommended it be approved when councillors meet to discuss the plans on Wednesday (March 3).

Neighbour Breda Buckley, 53, said the extension would loom over her back garden, robbing her family of their privacy and also damage the look of the street.

She said: “the plans would seriously undermine the architectural integrity and character of nearby properties – and the terrace as a whole.

“Like many of our neighbours we moved to Epping for a better quality of life and it is clear that this development will reduce our enjoyment of the property and most notably the garden.”

Fellow objector Derek Randall, 74, said: “The size of what they're proposing just doesn't fit the look of the road.

“And this road is diabolical for parking as it is, if they have five bedrooms there will be more cars competing for spaces.

“It's disappointing that even though the town council is objecting the district council are over-ruling them. It just makes the town council seem pointless and powerless.”

Resident Roger Muggleton, 65, said: “It's just a completely unsuitable proposal – it's far too big for a street like this.

“The question is what is the house going to be used for?”

Patsy Blake, 61, who lives opposite the site, said: “The house is perfect for a family home but we're worried it could be turned into a hostel or that sort of thing.”

A report by the district council said if the developers wanted to use the house for multiple-use flats then a second application would have to be submitted.

But it added: “the proposed development is acceptable in terms of its design and appearance....[and] it will reflect the character of the surrounding area”.

East London local authority Waltham Forest Council, which runs Ascham Homes, is yet to comment.