TWO of the area’s most fiercely fought planning battles could come to an end this week with permission for 32 new homes.

Redbridge Council will consider a bid to build 24 homes on the site of the former Chepstow House in Leicester Road, Wanstead, along with plans for eight flats on the site of Bedford House in Bedford Road, South Woodford.

Neighbours of Chepstow House on the Counties estate have fought off three previous planning applications for the site since 2007, but the developer Telford Homes has finally secured hard-won approval for its fourth plan after lengthy negotiations with the Counties Residents Association (CRA) and the Wanstead Society.

CRA treasurer Malcolm Dowers, of Leicester Road, said: “I’m fairly confident that, having attended various meetings and read all the reports, scheme four will be approved.

“I applaud Telford for working with us. In my opinion they have done a good job in coming up with a design that works commercially for them and aesthetically for us.”

In South Woodford, residents have been resisting plans to demolish the Victorian mansion Bedford House since 2008.

Objectors are still at loggerheads with developer LJ Construction, and have secured the support of Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith.

Susan Kopelman, of Cleveland Road, said: “I hope that the council sees sense. I think we are all feeling positive about it, and I’m going to remain positive “There are so many issues which are not being addressed, and one of the main ones is the lack of parking “I feel we are being swamped by flats.

Lee Jose, of LJ Construction, said: “The application meets all the criteria for the council and the planning experts have recommended that we get it.

“But it’s got so political down there that I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s refused. We aren’t going away, we’re preparing ourselves for an appeal.

“If the people who are objecting had any foundations to their argument then I would listen, but they just don’t want it.”

The regulatory committee will meet at Ilford Town Hall on Thursday at 7.15pm.

For the result of the meeting go to www.guardian-series.co.uk.