GARDEN grabbing developers are finding it increasingly difficult to push though their plans in Redbridge, according to newly released figures.

Under government legislation designed to give councils greater power to tackle overdevelopment, back gardens were reclassified from being brownfield land in June 2010.

A Freedom of Information request made by Green Party London Assembly member Darren Johnson, reveals that Redbridge Council granted permission for just two houses to be built on garden land in 2010/11 - a drop of 95 percent compared to 2006.

The figure has been welcomed by campaigners who have fought garden grabbing in the borough.

Mario Grattarola, 68, of Mornington Road in Woodford Green helped co-ordinate a four year battle against plans to build a complex of luxury flats on the site of four residential homes on the High Road.

Despite collecting 250 names on a petition against the plans, Mr Grattarola eventually lost his fight and 14 flats are currently under construction.

He said: “I think the developers would have found it a lot harder to get permission for this under the new legislation.

“The figures for Redbridge do seem to suggest that the council is toughening up as well.

"I hope that is the case, because at the time of our campaign I felt there was a lack of support there.”

Eighteen local authorities responded to Mr Johnson’s request, and while four of those had actually approved more houses on garden land since 2006, overall there had been a 49 percent drop in approvals.

He said: “With the predicted increase in London’s population and pressure for new housing, councils must do all they can to avoid developing London’s back gardens.

“These are vital habitats for wildlife, gardening and play.”

Malcolm Dowers of Leicester Road, Wanstead, has helped fight a number of controversial applications in his capacity as a member of the County Residents Association (CRA).

He said: “The government legislation has provided us with another weapon in our armoury.

“But I think the reduction in successful applications also owes a lot to the economic climate and the fact that fewer plans are being submitted.”

But Leader of Redbridge Council, Keith Prince said the figures demonstrated his administration was at the forefront of implementing government legislation.

He added: “When I was the cabinet member for Housing I made it mandatory for anyone who sits on a planning committee to have annual training to ensure they are up to date on the latest legislation.

“When I became leader of the Council, one of the biggest complaints I received was that we don’t listen to people, I think these figures show that we do.”

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