Residents of a road in Little Heath that is set to be the site of a major housing development have voiced concerns about the scheme.
Homeowners in Billet Road have spoken out against Bellway’s Kingsgate Park plans, that will bring 1,300 new homes to the street.
They said: “The residents feel passionately about this - we do not want it. No big town in Little Heath."
The group fears that the development will result in a loss of privacy, wildlife, green land and community.
The Kingsgate Park plans consist of four and five-storey flat blocks and three or four-bed homes across five sites, two of which are already owned by Bellway.
The homes are expected to come up close to the two-storey existing properties.
Residents have criticised the choice of land, as they say two sites will have the land capped.
Bellway has submitted a planning application for the first 150 homes and said this was on the site of a former unlicensed tip.
Residents claim the land capping could add an estimated two metres onto the height of the four and five-storey flat blocks which the group say will “in effect make a five-storey block the same size as a six-storey one”.
They said: “It is plain to see how overbearing it will be and totally out of keeping with its surroundings.”
Bellway have advertised the properties to feature balconies that will overlook the surrounding area. Homeowners believe this “will result in a devastating loss of privacy to the existing houses”.
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With large numbers of people set to move into the homes, there are also fears over a lack of local infrastructure and strain on existing doctors and dentists.
One couple on the road admitted that they have separate doctors in neighbouring towns due to a lack of space in their local practice.
The group said: “In effect [it] is going to drop a new town into this semi-rural area but without the infrastructure that you would expect, like schools and doctors."
The large number of people expected to move to Kingsgate Park paired with Bellway’s offer of “parking to selected properties” has left the residents fearing people will begin to park in the road.
They claim this “would increase the risk of accidents on Billet Road due to impaired vision".
Residents also say the surrounding green land in Billet Road hosts wildlife including deer, bats, and owls which are seen “regularly”.
But they are concerned the loss of green land and the building works will result in decreased wildlife in the area.
The residents said: “It is in effect a small rural area in this part of London. Most of the people who live here, came here for that reason. If we wanted to live in a more urban/suburban built up environment, then we would not have moved here.”
A spokesperson for Bellway said: “We have been working closely with Redbridge Council for three years to develop plans for this land, which had previously been used as unregulated landfill.
"Bellway and Redbridge Council have begun initial conversations surrounding Kingsgate Park, with negotiations taking place for Bellway to purchase the land.
"The projected outcome is for Bellway to drive this project forward.
"These proposals will deliver significant benefits in terms of providing much-needed new housing, remediating the site for the local community and environment, and investing in local infrastructure and facilities.
“Our plans for Site A and B provide a variety of homes which would create a strong mixed community, including London Affordable Rented and London Shared Ownership homes, and with a good proportion of family-sized homes to respond to local housing needs.
“Sites C and D remain in the ownership of the local authority.
“The remediation of the landfill will prevent further pollution of the local watercourse. There will be new trees and shrubs, bat and bird boxes and wildlife habitats. There will also be economic benefits, with the development creating new jobs in the local area during the construction of the new homes.
“We will also be making financial contributions towards facilities and services, including road and bus improvements, through Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy agreements.”
On Bellway's website, it says Kingsgate Park is due to launch in autumn 2025.
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