FAMILIES have blasted plans by a developer to build 44 flats in Beckenham town centre.

The London & Quadrant Housing Trust has applied for planning permission for three four-storey blocks on land behind Beckenham High Street.

They would contain nine one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom and three three-bedroom flats along with 37 car parking spaces.

Ana Townley, of The Drive, Beckenham, estimates 200 households are against it.

She said: “It’s going to change the face of Beckenham. We’re inundated with flats.

“Everyone wants to come here because it’s so well served by public transport. We’re victims of Beckenham’s success.

“The work’s going to be horrendous. Our lives are not going to be worth living when they’re here. The traffic in the high street is very bad as it is. The impact doesn’t bear thinking about.”

News Shopper: Neighbours rally against plan to build 44 flats

Mum-of-two Alma Haq, aged 50, also of The Drive, said: “The whole community is against it. We’re all really saddened by this proposal.

“It’s an overdevelopment. There will be a lack of privacy for houses with gardens in the area.

“There would be too many units in a very small area.

“There’s also an area of natural beauty at the back with the woodlands.”

Copers Cope councillor Michael Tickner said: “I can understand residents’ concerns about a massive social housing development being put up in what is now open space.

“There are environmental concerns as the River Beck runs directly through that area.

“The proposal is out of keeping with the housing in The Drive.”

An L&Q spokesman said: “Our plans will transform what is currently a derelict site into much needed high quality homes. “We held a public exhibition on May 10 which was attended by around 60 members of the local community.

"The general consensus from that exhibition was that our proposals for the site are an improvement on the previous scheme (from a different organisation) which had been granted planning approval.

"Our designs will allow views through the site while at the same time providing new homes, gardens and parking.

“Following the consultation event we have modified our designs in response to local community feedback; we have gone into detail to provide a high quality landscape design for the site which incorporates private gardens for ground floor properties and improved boundaries which will be beneficial to the development and the neighbouring streets.

"Furthermore, we are looking at ways we can develop our plans to increase parking provision.

“Prior to submitting our plans, we also carried out traffic and environment assessments to evaluate our proposed development in relation to the local area.

"We submitted our planning application to Bromley Council’s planning department in June and await confirmation from them on the timeline for the application."