Warton road residents unhappy about the amount of high rise blocks in the area

Some Stratford residents feel they are being squeezed out in the rush to secure land in the town during the Olympics.

People living in Warton Road have strongly opposed an application to tear down a derelict building at the junction with Bridgewater Road and replace it with a part-10 storey block of flats.

The proposals have been recommended for approval by Newham Council’s strategic development committee and referred to the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC).

Householders believe new developments will pose a safety risk to pupils at nearby Carpenters Primary School and will increase traffic and pollution on what is a main route to Westfield Stratford City and the Olympic Park.

Rebecca Goding, who lives in Meridia Court, said: “This housing development is going to crowd out a street that is just yards away from two tower blocks that stand virtually empty and a housing estate with homes that are boarded up.

“As residents we are proposing that the site is landscaped and provision is made for a river bus stop like those that are being built on other sections of the old waterways and a bicycle hire point.

“Or that the derelict building is replaced with a building of the same size. These building plans are unrealistic and unnecessary.”

The building will contain 44 flats, along with room for car and cycle parking.

In a statement submitted with their proposals, applicants BrandNow Ltd said it had been designed to minimise the prospect of a loss of privacy for neighbouring residents.

The plans have since been amended.

John Freeman, who lives in Azura Court, added: “Ten storeys is out of keeping with the rest of the developments on this street.

“Since Westfield opened there are cars which use this road as a main thoroughfare, they leave the shopping centre and drive at 30mph

“If (the development) goes ahead, it will be right up on the narrow pavements. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”