Hundreds will renew fight to block luxury homes development in Hampstead

Hundreds are set to renew their fight to block a vast redevelopment of an old Hampstead nurses home which could blight the area for two years.

Developers have lodged new plans with Camden Council which would see more than 2,000 lorries rumble down narrow New End and over underground tunnels, it is claimed. Campaigners say the fleet of lorries could cause the fragile road to collapse as there is a network of underground tunnels which run beneath the road.

Residents from the area collected more than 300 signatures last time in preparation to fight the developers and have now vowed to renew their efforts to double the floorspace of the site and transform the old 74-bed hostel into 17 luxury houses and a basement car park.

Magdeleine Kendall, who organised the petition against the development, said: “The objections are the same as last time. We simply think the development is far too big for the area and could cause the road to collapse.

“But it will also affect Heath Street where all the lorries will have to drive down.”

Heathside primary school is also preparing a petition to submit to the council.

The council is consulting on the development until July 11.