FORMER Ministry of Defence homes are to be replaced with three times as many properties to create what opponents call 'a vast overdevelopment'.
Notting Hill Home Ownership has permission from Harrow Council to redevelop Douglas Close, in Stanmore, by razing 28 vacant houses and building 26 houses and 53 flats in five four-storey blocks.
The applicant, which bought the site from Annington Homes back in March 2009, said more than half the empty properties were in a 'very poor state of repair' and open to vandalism.
However, The Bentley Way Association, which represents 37 households in Bentley Way, was united in condemning the scheme, alongside The Stanmore Society, Sherbourne Place Residents Association and nearly 30 other neighbouring residents.
Objections include the height of the proposed buildings and their density, the loss of green space, and perceived parking, noise and environmental problems.
The application divided the council's planning committee at a meeting at the Civic Hall on Wednesday, with the four Labour councillors voting in favour and the three Conservatives councillors rejecting the plans.
Land director at Notting Hill Housing, Steve Rawlings, said afterwards: "We will now start more detailed design planning and expect work to start in early 2011, with anticipated completion in 2013."
