A STORMY meeting ended in victory for residents who successfully fought off a bid to build a block of flats.

Dozens of angry householders, representing more than 400 who had signed a petition opposing plans for 24 flats in Roch Avenue and Tenby Road, Edgware, packed Harrow's planning meeting on Wednesday last week.

Discussions on the bid for three two-story blocks lasted almost two hours, and security had to be called in as tempers boiled over, before councillors rejected the scheme.

"We are, of course, delighted with the decision," said Daphne James, co-ordinator of Roch Avenue Allotments Action Group. "It has been very hard work but in the end common sense prevailed. Allotment sites are classified as greenfield land and everything must be done to protect them from development.

"The Unitary Development Plan states that open spaces should be protected to provide breathing space and habitat for wildlife. Yet in reality, it is left to local people to fight to keep these green areas alive otherwise it won't be long before we are living in one big urban jungle."

Councillors cited various reasons for rejecting the plans, including the 'diabolical' state of access into the roads.

By.Nina Palmer