A proposal to quadruple the density of housing in parts of Wanstead and Woodford would “disfigure pleasant suburbs", a meeting heard.

 Four options for the Local Development Framework 2015-30 were last night discussed during a heated debate as Redbridge council’s cabinet gathered at Redbridge town hall in Ilford.

One of the proposals would allow large-scale developments in traditionally suburban “major corridors” in Woodford Green, South Woodford and Wanstead.

Other plans include building on Oakfield playing fields in Ilford or building on "parcels" of the green belt.

Public seating in the chamber was filled to capacity and seven members of the public and councillors spoke out in opposition to the plans.

One speaker was former councillor Alex Wilson, who resigned from the cabinet in December.

He said: “The Wanstead and Woodford option will permanently disfigure our pleasant suburbs by cramming in rabbit hutches onto tiny, constrained sites – without the space or funding to provide supporting infrastructure.

“This goes against not only common sense but also many of the principles of what you are trying to achieve with the new local plan.”

Conservative Cllr Christopher Cummins echoed Mr Wilson's concerns.

He said: “There is a real risk of destroying the character of this area as there are several conservation areas in these ‘corridors’.

In response, Cllr Helen Coomb, Labour cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said no final decision had been made and the public would be consulted.

She said: “We will take a lot of time considering all the options and it will go to a formal and long consultation process now.

“Everyone will have a chance to formally air their views before any decisions are made.

“But doing nothing is not an option, we need plans for 1,100 extra home a year and we have an obligation to the people of this borough to provide them.”