DETERMINED residents are campaigning for the council's planning department to refuse a back land development in East Sheen.

Supported by a local school, residents surrounding 96 to 98 Christchurch Road are calling for action against the proposed five five-bedroom houses in a three quarter acre back garden.

Sally Harper's house in Berwyn Road backs onto the site. She explained why residents are objecting: "They are not providing affordable housing, these are unattractive executive houses which are not even in the style of the area.

"We are concerned about the scale of the development and the relationship the proposed building will have with the environment. We will experience a loss of privacy and think there will be pollution and more traffic. The proposal is of too high density for the area."

With Sheen Mount Primary School in close proximity, safety is also high on the agenda. "One of the two houses is being knocked down so that a road can be put in. This is going to create a junction with Long Field Drive just by the school and there will be more traffic," explained Mrs Harper. A spokesman for the school confirmed they were supporting the residents, but did not wish to add anything further.

Jackie Herring, who lives next to the site, added: "The site adjoins the new Berwyn Road Conservation Area and the developer appears to have scant regard for what conservation area status' represents. This is a very claustrophobic development."

A campaign has already begun with letters of objection being sent to the council. If that doesn't work residents are pledging to enforce a long standing covenant on the land which would prevent any development above the height of a garage.

Should the work be permitted, there are fears that it will set a precedent for back land development of this scale across the borough.

This is the second application that has been made on the site by Mansard Country Homes. The first, for six five-bedroom houses, was discontinued by Richmond upon Thames planning department after information they requested was not provided.

A spokeswoman for Mansard said: "We believe we have fulfilled all the requirements of the local authority UDP. We have had detailed discussions with the planning authority and believe we have fulfilled all the requirements we need to."

A council spokesman confirmed that an application was being considered on the site and insisted that all comments would be taken into consideration when the decision was made.