A pensioner has criticised Camden Council for allowing developers to build on a garden backing onto Hampstead Heath.

Mary Hardie, 84, fears the town hall may have opened a can of worms by allowing the rear extension to a house in South Hill Park, Hampstead.

The former nurse was born in the house next door in 1929 and says planners have never before allowed homeowners on the street to encroach on their gardens since they are in a special position abutting the Heath.

She said: “It will set a precedent. All the previous applications have been turned down and then suddenly this one was allowed.

“It’s the thin end of the wedge. If they start allowing extensions, there will be little houses popping up at the end of all the gardens.

“Every square inch of these gardens seems to be very valuable.”

Camden Council did not comment.