A DEVELOPER who has spent about £50,000 trying to obtain planning permission has defended a fourth attempt to build a block of flats.

LJ Construction has submitted a plannning application with Redbridge Council to demolish the historic Bedford House in Bedford Road, South Woodford.

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 years.

Lee Jose, of LJ Construction, said he is determined to see the business venture through and he feels he has ticked all the boxes this time around.

The 44-year-old said: "This meets every single thing the council need regarding amenity space, open air space, parking space.

"There's not one thing they can turn it down on.

"Three years I have been having uproar with the council over this.

"The problem we have is people say it is a beautiful building but it's horrible if you look at the rear.

"Also people talk about maintaining the character of the road but plenty of others have built extensions and flats have been built nearby.

"If a decison was made solely on criteria it should be passed but I think it depends on the mood of councillors on the day."

Susan Brown, who lives in the road, said she had only just been made aware of the latest application and she would need to study the plans before deciding whether to object.

She said: "We have no problem with the developer at all but we don't want to see the house knocked down and flats built in its place.

"I haven't spoken with neighbours but I imagine there will be objections again.

"The house is probably more than 100-years-old and once it's gone it's gone forever."

Residents fought the last application with the help of Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith.

However, Mr Lee said: "Iain Duncan Smith keeps coming down and waving the banner but only because he wanted to get re-elected."

Mr Jose said he has spent about £50,000 on the various applications and designs but he remains committed to the site.

He said: "I could just board it up and let it go derelict but there is a demand for flats, I'm building six at the moment in Enfield and people aren't living in big houses as much anymore.

"The design we have gone for here mirrors the property on the opposite corner.

"We are not going away with this whether it takes three, five or 10 years, we will get there with it and hopefully common sense prevails this time."

The council is likely to make a decision within about three weeks.