THE fate of a controversial housing development is set to be decided next week.

Council officers have recommended the approval of a scheme to demolish four 1930s houses in Kings Head Hill, Chingford, and build a four-storey block containing 40 flats when it comes before Waltham Forest Council's planning committee on Tuesday (March 2).

But residents in the area have raised a number of objections to the scheme and say their homes will be "overshadowed" by the development.

Two petitions calling for the plans to be blocked have been signed by 193 people and a further 19 letters of objection have been submitted.

Robert Grange, 42, of Harford Road, said there isn't enough room or the infrastructure to support a development of its size.

He said: "The design of it is not in keeping with the buildings that are around there - it looks absolutely awful.

"The car park and recycling bins will be about four feet away from my kitchen and we will be overshadowed by this big four-storey abomination.

"There won't be sufficient parking and there isn't room in the local schools or doctor's surgeries for people who would live there."

The plans, submitted by L&C London and Family Mosaic Housing, are the second for the site and have been scaled down after a scheme for 45 flats was rejected in November last year.

The new scheme is for 40 units of affordable housing and L&C and Family Mosaic say there has been a "significant reduction" in the size and bulk of the development.

A spokesperson for Family Mosaic said: "We are committed to developing new affordable homes for local people.

"This scheme will provide 27 homes for affordable rent and 13 for shared ownership.

"The shared ownership programme allows people to get a foot on the housing ladder who otherwise would not be able to afford to do so."

If the plans are given the green light, the developers will have to comply with a number of conditions, including providing a £103,000 contribution to creating new school places, £25,000 towards health services and £25,000 to improve the environment.

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