Plans to demolish a children's home to make way for a block of maisonettes were due to be agreed last night (Thursday), despite widespread opposition from neighbours.

Planners have received 91 letters and two petitions each signed by more than 200 people protesting against the West Hill scheme.

Locals fear too many people will be packed into the building, including children with nowhere to play and nowhere to go to school. They are also worried about congestion and parking problems because many residents currently park in the children's home car park.

People living on the Orchard and William Willison estates and in Keevil Drive have been calling for more play facilities since 1999 when the children's home closed.

They had hoped the home would be turned into a sports centre but instead the council has agreed to sell it to the Ujima Housing Association which wants to build a block of 12 maisonettes.

Wandsworth has built a £100,000 ball games area, but Clodagh Brown, from the Andrew Reed House Residents' Association, says that is not enough.

"My greatest concern is the introduction of even more children with nothing to do and nowhere to go.

"The community is working hard to influence the council to improve facilities but it's hard work when they seem determine to give permission to even more houses."

Residents have been backed by the Putney Society which is concerned the history of the site is not outlined on the agenda, as is usual.

It thinks it is because the land was always intended to provide parking and amenity space and so reduce the density of nearby Andrew Reed House which would otherwise have 1,680 habitable rooms per hectare, compared to the 210 allowed in the council's own guidelines.

But officers recommended that councillors approve the scheme because the new building is well-designed and will provide a reasonable standard of accommodation', despite its density.

A council spokesman said: "We recognise the residents have genuine concerns about parking which have now been addressed by the housing department.

"This application has come in from a housing association for affordable homes and the committee will examine it in the same way it would any application."

November 16, 2001 11:32