The demolition of a former children's home for a block of 12 housing association flats has been stalled by Labour councillors.

Despite the planning committee approving the development last week, the Labour group has put a stop notice on the decision, meaning the application must be voted on at a full council meeting in December.

The furore surrounding the site of the former children's home, in Linstead Way, West Hill, has sparked a war of words between the Conservative and Labour groups, with both sides accusing the other of double standards.

The Labour group objects to the development on the grounds it is too close to Andrew Reed House, a council tower block, and that it will over-develop the area.

Hundreds of angry residents also believe it is too much for an already heavily developed area which has road safety problems caused by a lack of parking facilities. They plan to use the period leading up to next month's crucial meeting on December 12 to mount a challenge to the decision.

Planning chairman Councillor Ravi Govindia said: "Affordable housing has to go where there is land available for it and there's a chance to provide it here and it should be taken."

He added Labour was attempting to curry favour with residents by opposing the scheme, when usually it is them accusing the Conservative group of not doing enough to provide affordable housing.

Conservative ward councillors Malcolm Grimston and Beryl Jeffery are opposing the scheme, although Labour leader Councillor Tony Belton said they voted to sell off the land to the housing association in 1999.

Coun Belton said: "They say they are against the scheme, when they know full well it is too late to stop it. It's their group's desire to sell as much land off as possible to get capital receipts that has led to this situation."

Clodagh Brown from the Andrew Reed House Residents' Association said: "The council can only sell the land to the housing association if it has planning permission for the development. They know they had to grant permission to make the sale and that really stinks."

Ms Brown said she will ask Putney MP Tony Colman to raise the matter in Parliament and the District Auditor to investigate Wandsworth's conduct.

November 23, 2001 10:30