Residents opposed to a proposed housing development in Coulsdon were dealt a massive blow after the council granted permission for 17 new homes.

Developer Linden Homes plans to build 17 houses on land previously occupied by four properties were approved at last Thursday’s development control meeting.

The plans will see the development of two three-storey houses and another 14 two-storey houses on the corner of Hollymeoak Road and Woodfield Hill, Coulsdon.

Residents – who formed their own lobby group, Residents Against Insensitive Development (RAID) – successfully fought a previous application by the developer to build 23 homes on the site in 2003.

The application was rejected by the council and finally dismissed by a planning inspector following a lengthy inquiry last year.

But they have redrawn the battle lines after Linden Homes’ latest application to redevelop the site claiming the development will significantly change the character of the leafy area even with the reduction in the number of houses from 23 to 17.

RAID chairman Sarah Cole said: “The development will be of permanent detriment to the green. We are all very disappointed, we feel it’s a travesty.

“We will be proved right once they are built, but we will take no pleasure in being proved right.” Mrs Cole who spoke against the plans at last Thursday’s meeting said: “There were about 40 residents who attended the meeting and they all cheered, we certainly made our feelings known.” RAID is now considering taking its case to the High Court.