Residents are campaigning against a plan to build homes on grassland outside their flats.

The group in sheltered accommodation for the elderly at Garrick House, in Adelphi Crescent, wants Havering Council to review plans for the four bungalows, as well as another five on the car park behind the flats.

Resident Tom Waller said: “Most of the residents around this area don’t want the building work to go ahead. We want our lovely green to stay as we do not wish to live on a building site.

“We have put a lot of effort in planting up the area with flowers, and the birds need their trees to nest in.

“They have changed the position of some of the bungalows they were planning on putting in there, and we understand they need smaller homes to release the bigger ones, but we don’t understand why they have to be two-bedroom [instead of one], and on our car park.

“A lot of people here are disabled and need the car park near to where they live as they cannot walk far.”

Cllr Damian White (Conservative, Hylands) said: “We called for a review of the site, which the council is considering and I have asked to see the other sites that the council has considered.

“The council has amended the plans to include one bedroom and they are taking on board the residents’ concerns.”

Cllr Lesley Kelly, cabinet member for housing, said: “No planning application has yet been submitted.

“We have met with some existing residents at Garrick House and local residents to consult them on our plans and will keep them updated if a planning application is made.

“These proposed homes would provide modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation for local people, with a priority for those who are looking to downsize their former council homes.

“This will help us to provide much needed homes for local families in need.”