A group of Sanderstead neighbours have vowed to fight plans for 23 new flats.

A planning application for a three-storey block of flats on the site of 34A and 34B Arkwright Road received 341 objections.

But the developer has said that the proposed flats will address a housing crisis and not impact on the surrounding area.

A decision on the plans is yet to be made by Croydon Council but residents have started a crowdfunding page to raise money for legal advice on fighting the plans.

Sue Reeves has lived in Ridge Langley – which the flats would back onto – for 36 years

She said:  “With the 23 flats each flat would have its own external front door and balcony.

“There is going to be corridors of front doors with balconies.

“Apart from the fact it is completely out of character with the area, we are concerned about the noise and the potential parking problems. There are so many things wrong with this development.”

Your Local Guardian:

Sue said that people in both Arkwright Road and Ridge Langley would be affected by the development.

She added: “It is back land development. These two houses are already back land development many years ago. They have got a little access way in between the houses which is going to be the main access way for these 23 flats.”

And neighbour Patroulla Lorke agrees. She has lived in Ridge Langley for 13 years.

She said: “My garden is narrow, it’s nine metres deep so that will be the distance from the flats to my house.

“There is nothing like this in this area at all with this many people in close proximity.”

The fundraising page has raised more than £1,700 and the group hopes to use it for legal opinion if necessary.

The planning application was submitted by Chartwell Property Group.

Land and homes director Martyn Avery said that the plans will enhance the area.

Your Local Guardian:

He said: “There is a massive housing need in London. I know the area extremely well and I understand that people don’t like what is happening.

“But we are not the first to have started this process in Arkwright Road.

“Not all development is bad development, this is progress and at the end of the day this is a London borough.

“The proposed development site is at the end of a 90m private drive so cannot be seen by any of the owners in Arkwright Road.

“The apartments will be located on the same position as the existing houses.”

Mr Avery said that the developer had spoken to the “immediately affected neighbour” in Ridge Langley before plans were submitted

He added: “The scheme will provide a number of affordable housing units for the local community which will be fantastic for the area.”

Of the 23 flats 14 would be two-bedroom, six one-bedroom and three three-bedroom.

It is expected that seven of the flats would be offered at affordable housing.

The plans include 17 car parking spaces and a shared cycle store.