Belsize residents are celebrating after the withdrawal of a neighbour s controversial planning application. A flurry of complaints were lodged over the proposal to demolish a timber studio in the garden of 4 Lyndhurst Gardens and replace it with a large g

Belsize residents are celebrating after the withdrawal of a neighbour's controversial planning application.

A flurry of complaints were lodged over the proposal to demolish a timber studio in the garden of 4 Lyndhurst Gardens and replace it with a large glass and concrete house with a basement.

Owner Greg Yeatman also wanted to knock through the listed wall to create access to the public footpath leading to Belsize village.

A Camden Council spokeswoman said: "Our conservation and urban design department had concerns about the application in that it would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the conservation area and the special interest of the adjoining listed building.

"A large number of objections - more than 50 to date - had also been received.

"Rather than risking their proposal being refused, the applicants have decided to withdraw it."

Lyndhurst Gardens resident Cyril Brown said: "The plans would have created pandemonium in the village.

"I'm absolutely thrilled. It's been hanging over us since the beginning of the year.

"But now common sense has prevailed - we can all breathe a sigh of relief."

The next battle will be to get Mr Yeatman to carry out repairs to the wall as its disrepair has forced the closure of the footpath since the beginning of the year.