NEARLY 100 people are gearing up for round two of a fight against a property developer in Acton.

Neighbours of Rosemont Court, Rosemont Road, are objecting to the redevelopment of Acton Central Industrial Estate into a mixture of 45 private and affordable flats up to six storeys high.

The owners claim the proposed Barratt Homes block is too high, will reduce their privacy and sunlight and are concerned there is not ample space for children to play.

A petition with 92 signatures so far is being circulated and Richard Newman, a television producer who lives in Rosemont Court, said: "Acton Central Industrial Estate is 7.5m high and Barratt propose to build an 18.5m high development which is nearly three times the height of the existing building.

"The Barratt development will, therefore, look down on even the top storey of Rosemont Court where residents currently enjoy an unimpeded view.

"Barratt further can't provide the prescribed play space for children and appear to be suggesting they play on the streets which is a risky option. We do not object to the residential development but to its scale and a reduction would lead to the withdrawal of our objection."

David Fowkes who has lived in the court for seven years, said: "The original plans submitted last year included sub-terrain car parking and now the car park is above the development which makes it taller and more intrusive.

"I live on the ground floor corner facing the building and there will be a massive amount of reduced light. We're concerned that the cheapest rather than the best building will be developed and we will have to live with this for decades to come."

A Barratt Homes spokesman said: "The Rosemont scheme has been significantly changed to respond to the council's concerns.

"It is one storey lower and is 27 per cent less dense per habitable room with a reduction in homes from 59 to 45. In addition the parking has been increased from 63 per cent to 80 per cent and there will be a courtyard space for children to play in."

Barratt are also contributing to improve the nearby Springfield Gardens play area.