Local resistance is building against a five-storey apartment development which would see 50 new apartments for over 60s.

The application to develop land on Bampton Estate will see the removal of green space and loss of light for nearby homes, which has residents Dan Synge and Kat Kartasheva concerned.

Ms Kartasheva was gathering support for her campaign to stop the Lewisham Homes development on local website www.se23.life, and had accumulated 180 signatures on a petition at the time of publishing.

The two were also concerned with the extent of public consultation by developers, which Mr Synge claimed was insufficient.

This included door knocking, two public exhibitions, an event at St George’s CE Primary School, and a discussion at two Tenant and Residents’ Association meetings.

“They do have a process, and they have showed us plans but they haven’t really listened to our objections,” he told the News Shopper.

At a meeting with the developers, Mr Synge was disturbed to find his house was part of the architects model.

“We had a meeting with architects and Lewisham homes. Our house was part of the plan. It is a but scary that we hadn’t even been told about it,” he added.

“There has been no dialogue at all, it is almost like an autocratic system.

“We feel utterly powerless.”

Mr Synge has been door-knocking with fellow resident Kat Kartasheva to raise local awareness of the development.

They are both concerned about the impact on infrastructure, and the change in the area’s character.

This includes the removal of 44 trees, but the introduction of 32 new ones and boxes for bats and birds.

Ms Kartesheva , who lives in the estate, said: “Because we don’t have a garden,  that is our opportunity for fresh air and grass and sun.

“Squashing new buildings between our block and the houses on Fifeld Path will not only deprive residents of their amenity, but but will completely change the character of the area.”

Mr Synge added: “It is a lovely, wooded green space. The loss of it will be unbearable.

“It is a special area. People who are worried about this are residents as well as leaseholders, people who live in flats and people who live in houses. People living in tower blocks are the most directly affected. It seems too big and massive.”

The proposed development will result in a loss of natural light, and does not comply with guidelines, according to the application. 

A final public exhibition is anticipated in April or May, where the proposal as submitted to the Local Planning Authority will be presented for discussion with local residents and stakeholders, according to Lewisham Homes.

The application was submitted to Lewisham Council last month.

Lewisham  Council have been approached for comment.