Planning committee chair Andrew Dixon said there was ‘no reason’ to reject the proposals for the two-storey homes, which locals have said would cause traffic ‘chaos’, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

An illustration of how the development will look, Credit: Harp & Harp

Controversial plans for three new homes in Chingford have been approved by Waltham Forest Council, amid more than 40 objections from locals.

Residents argued they were out of character with the leafy neighbourhood, but applicants Edward James Investments and Harp & Harp said they would “combat” the shortage of houses in London.

The two-storey homes, which Waltham Forest councillors said were needed, were green-lit at a planning committee meeting last night (3rd December).

Committee chair Andrew Dixon said there was “no reason” to reject the proposals.

The developer had proposed demolishing a bungalow in Sunnyside Drive and filling the 620sqm plot with a terrace of three-bed homes. The plans also include three parking spaces, landscaping, and stores for bins and bicycles.

More than 90 residents were consulted on the plans, with just under half formally opposing them.

Resident Simon Twohig said during last night’s meeting: “We appreciate the long-term need [for housing], but this is too many residential buildings in too small and confined a location.”

Locals previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the street was “losing its identity,” and extra cars would mean “chaos, absolute chaos”.

Though the council’s highways team had not raised any issues with the scheme, residents said the seven-metre-wide road was not suitable for bin lorries or new motorists.

A representative for the applicants told the committee they had “engaged extensively” with the planning department. Following feedback from the council, they had reduced the number of homes from four to three.

He said the “high-quality, environmentally-friendly family houses” would “combat the dramatically low supply of houses in London and across the country”.

A planning officer said the trio of homes was appropriate for the land, which she described as “underused”. She added that it did not constitute overdevelopment in the council’s opinion.

All five councillors on the committee agreed with the planning team and voted to approve the scheme after a brief debate.

Cllr Dixon described it as “gentle densification” that would produce a net gain of family homes, which the borough “needs”.

Councillor Jenny Gray added it was a “very good design,” adding: “Being in keeping with the area doesn’t mean you have to have a copy of what was there before.”

Council leader Grace Williams has said there is an “increasing need” for housing in the borough, amid what she dubbed a “severe housing crisis”.

The developers will have three years to begin work on the new homes.

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