Havering Council has refused planning permission for a part four-, part five-storey block of flats at 6 Eastern Avenue East, consisting of 15 new homes.
The proposals – drawn up by RPS Consulting Services on behalf of applicant Apex Development Trading in April– were the latest in a string of housing plans for the former petrol station, which closed in the early 2000s and was later demolished.
Despite the applicant already reducing the number of flats from 21 to 15 at the pre-application stage, the planning officer concluded that the building’s height would be “excessive” and “out of character” with the surrounding area.
The officer’s report revealed that eight nearby residents objected to the plans, raising concerns including that the proposed height of the development would “prevent light to neighbouring gardens”.
Others feared “noise disturbances” from the balconies proposed, a “risk of accidents” due to no safe entry or exit routes, and “increased traffic” on the A12.
The planning officer agreed that the proposed access for vehicles directly onto a major junction would cause “unacceptable highway safety risks”.
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The report said: “The arrangement would increase conflict points for vehicles and other road users.
“Furthermore, the provision of six car parking spaces for the scale of development is considered inadequate and would likely result in overspill parking on surrounding streets, exacerbating congestion and safety concerns.”
A lack of child play space, “insufficient” communal areas and a “poor” outlook for potential residents onto the A12 were also given as reasons for refusal.
