The decision comes despite objections from neighbours and fears of “overdevelopment”, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

The Leyton homes designed by KIT London — The Leyton homes planned by KIT London

Proposals for two new homes in Leyton that proved controversial with neighbours have been approved.

Waltham Forest Council’s planning committee approved plans for a pair of two-storey, three-bedroom houses to the rear of 2 Lyndhurst Drive at a meeting last night.

A total of seven neighbours formally objected to the scheme, according to a planning report published last week.

The borough is short of housing, though residents living nearby said the new homes would constitute “overdevelopment”.

They said the area is already dense with housing, with much of the older housing stock having been converted into flats or houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).

In a bid to reduce pressure, the developers reduced their proposals from three homes to two, and the town hall said it would “diversify” housing options in an area with a large amount of flats.

Similar concerns were raised about the potential impact on local character, with neighbours saying the more modern-style homes “contradict” the surrounding Edwardian and Victorian setting.

However, council planning officers said they were satisfied it had been designed “with careful consideration of the local character,” adding the bulk of the development is at lower ground level.

The council added the design of the homes had “drawn inspiration from the local character without directly mimicking it, maintaining a modern yet respectful approach”.

Issues with congestion will be dealt with by enforcing a legal restriction on parking. The permission granted by councillors includes conditions that the development will be car-free.

James Lane is without a pavement and unsuitable for additional development, residents said.

Before work can commence, developers KIT London will need to pay thousands to the council through various avenues.

It will make a contribution of £1,300 towards making recreational areas more accessible, at £650 per unit, and a further payment of £6,840 towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the borough.

A further £2,000 will go towards sustainable transport in Waltham Forest.

Housing projects are often approved by the town hall’s planning committee, though the council has repeatedly refused plans to build a single home on the site since 2002, citing concerns about character and congestion.

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