Plans to build the first council properties in Havering for 20 years were given the green light despite objections from residents.

The decision to give the go-ahead for homes next to grassland outside Garrick House in Adelphi Crescent, Hornchurch, was met with anger by residents at a planning meeting at Havering Town Hall in Main Road, Romford, last Thursday.

Tom Waller, who lives in sheltered accommodation for the elderly next to where the new homes will be built, said: “I am absolutely gutted.

“Everyone there at the meeting was really distressed and we just felt that none of our opinions were listened to.”

The proposals include building five bungalows and four sheltered housing flats for people aged 55 and older.

It means that residents living in the sheltered accommodation nearby will lose eight per cent of their communal garden.

Resident Diane Price said: “I have amazing views from my house, calming, peaceful, tranquil. These will now go.

“But what was shocking for me on the night was the total unbalanced, pre-decided decisions. We the public who have to live with this decision will now be forgotten about.”

Cllr Barbara Matthews, who spoke on behalf of the residents, said: “No one doubts that we need more housing for people, but this is just too dense for the space.

“We haven’t run out of space yet in the borough, there are lots of other suitable sites where they can be built.

“This just reminds me of the 1960s when developers were building flats because there was a shortage.

“If we do that, we will just be causing more problems for people.”

The council received 46 letters of objections, including one from Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, who opposed the application due to inadequate parking provision, loss of green and open space, overdevelopment of the site and the density of the housing.

Cllr Lesley Kelly said the decision was “right and proper”.

She added: “We know that there has been much debate about the new development, especially about its potential impact on garden space and trees within the grounds of Garrick House, so let me be clear – we are one of the greenest boroughs in London, an accolade we cherish.

“We are confident that we are not only creating much needed new homes for our older residents, but also maintaining our much loved open spaces.”