Dozens of local residents had objected to the plan to replace two houses with nine, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The Lincoln Crescent plans (credit Spires Architects)

Plans for nine new houses on a residential road in Bush Hill Park have been approved despite a number of concerns around “overdevelopment”.

The site, located at 69-71 Lincoln Crescent, will see nine, two-storey buildings built in the place of two existing semi-detached properties with rear gardens.

The housing mix comprises five three-bedroom houses and four four bedroom houses.

However, Mahmut Aksanoglu, a Southbury ward councillor, gave a deputation at a planning meeting last night (Wednesday 16th). He said “some residents” were made aware of the public consultation and highlighted the 56 comments objecting to the application on the council’s planning portal page outnumbered the 20 objections referenced in the council’s report.

“This proposal represents a level of density that is entirely out of character with the existing character of the current area,” the Labour councillor said.

“The current area has terraced houses and developing a building of this particular calibre would alter the spacious feel of the area and not blend in well with the surrounding properties.”

Committee member and Conservative councillor Michael Rye said the plan had “room for improvement” and was “overdevelopment for the size of plot we’ve got” but admitted the plan was “difficult to refuse on policy grounds”.

Several concerns were raised around the “impact” on parking, the “narrow” access route, the “disruption” during the construction period and overlooking into neighbouring gardens.

However, Karen Page, the head of planning and building control, said if the plan was refused it would be “on very weak grounds” and it would be “highly unlikely” a planning inspector would support the bid.

After just over 30 minutes of discussion seven committee members voted in favour of the plans while none voted against and Conservative member Lee Chamberlain abstained.

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