A housing development has been refused after it was deemed "dominant and visually intrusive" by the local authority.

Seven homes were proposed for 15 Lake Avenue in Rainham to replace the existing property there that would have been demolished.

The application from KMDS Designs, P1982.21, was received by Havering Council on October 14 and validated on November 9 in 2023.

It was, however, refused by the council on December 15 after being deemed "incongruous, dominant and visually intrusive."

Under its reasons for refusal, the council document stated: "The proposed dwellings [...] would by reason of their scale, bulk, mass and design, relate poorly to the design and scale of the bungalow.

"[They would] appear incongruous, dominant and visually intrusive in the streetscene, harmful to the character and appearance of the surrounding area," it was added.

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The application also included off-street parking, private amenities and the formation of an access road.

An application form shows that the building has been used as a dwelling and yard.

Another reason why this development was refused was down to a lack of spacing, the council found.

If built, the homes would "appear[ing] unacceptably cramped and out of keeping with the prevailing pattern and character of development locally," the council stated.

The proposed homes would give rise to a development out of scale and character with a neighbouring development in Stoke Road, it was added.

Loss of privacy and a "serious and adverse effect" on nearby residents was another prominent issue identified by the council.

"The proposed dwelling in Plot D would cause overlooking and loss of privacy, which would have a serious and adverse effect on the living conditions of adjacent occupiers, particularly No. 13 Lake Avenue," the council stated.

If the application had been granted, the homes would have been built on plots A to G on Lake Avenue.

The council said it told developer KMDS Designs of its intentions to refuse the development on December 14, a day before its decision.

KMDS Designs may be able to appeal Havering Council's decision if the applicant is aggreived by it.

An appeal can be made within six months of the council's notice.