A DECISION on the controversial development of the Hampstead home of murdered author Alan Chappelow was deferred at a planning meeting last night (Thursday). A last minute request was made by the developers asking Camden Council to delay the decision to a

A DECISION on the controversial development of the Hampstead home of murdered author Alan Chappelow was deferred at a planning meeting last night (Thursday).

A last minute request was made by the developers asking Camden Council to delay the decision to allow more time to carry out further studies for the scheme.

Residents have fiercely objected to the development on the grounds it is too big as well as dangerous due to a huge basement.

They say this is hazardous because of the nature of Hampstead's ground which is clay with a high number of springs.

Developers have applied to knock down the dilapidated house on Downshire Hill and replace it with a much bigger building, a lot of which is below ground.

Tony Hillier, chairman of the Heath and Hampstead Society, said: "I am not particularly happy about the deferral. It is just dragging on and we are still going to fight it."

A spokesman for the developer Ringline Properties said: "We asked the council to defer a decision on the application to enable us to carry out further studies.