Protesters gathered outside a house this weekend to try and stop it from being converted into bedsits.

The homes at 49, 49a and 49b Buckingham Road in South Woodford are set to be turned into 12 bedsits and could see more than 20 people living under one roof.

Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, joined protesters on Saturday to show his support.

Those who live in Buckingham Road are objecting to plans for the properties to be converted into a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) and claim there is not enough infrastructure in the surrounding area to support a new influx of people.

Neighbours are concerned the standard of accommodation will not be high enough and claim they were not properly consulted about the plans.

A spokesman for those living in Buckingham Road said: “The council policy with regard to notification of planning applications is seriously flawed and this case shows how easily it can be manipulated to deprive parties with legitimate concerns of a forum in which to express them.”

Redbridge Council denied this, however, stating all those living nearby were contacted by letter about the proposed changes.

A spokesman for the authority said it is aware of the plans and that there have been no breaches of any regulation on the site as yet, but the council will be monitoring the situation closely as work progresses.

The protesters have also launched a petition online against the HMO plans that has gained more than 660 signatures.

A private meeting will be held between neighbours and the council later this week to discuss the issue and MP Iain Duncan Smith is expected to attend this meeting.