Havering Council has given the go-ahead for a new housing estate to be built on derelict land near Spilsby Road, Harold Hill.

A total of 97 dwellings will be built, ranging from one-bedroom flats to three and four-storey houses erected on the land which was formerly home to council offices.

Of these, 15 will be managed by a housing association and the remainder will be for private residents.

The permission is conditional upon a legal agreement securing the provision of affordable housing on the site.

Havering Council's development control sub-committee granted permission last Thursday night for Wilcon Homes to develop the site, subject to certain conditions and agreement by John Prescott, Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

There have been some objections to the proposals, expressing concern about a number of issues including the increase in traffic and the impact on the environment.

After notifying 265 local residents, the council received five letters and two separate petitions, containing 27 and 13 signatures.

Cllr Denis O'Flynn, who represents Heaton Ward, in which the land is situated, was enthusiastic about the project.

"Unfortunately, when the council demolished its offices on the site we left it in a bit of a mess," he said.

"There have been gipsies camping there in the past, and it has now become a dumping ground and an eyesore for local residents.

"The people of the area take a great deal of pride in their property and I think the construction of this estate will enhance that."

He added: "There will obviously be employment for a period of time on the building site and there should be an on-going effect from that locally.

"A lot of hard work has gone into this, and I hope the efforts made to protect the environment and local residents' interests will prove successful.

"We have done everything possible to make it acceptable to existing residents and I think we have gone as far as we can go now."

Cllr O' Flynn did have one word of warning, however. "If each family on the estate had just one child," he said, "think what would happen to our local schools.

"This council is committed to giving every child the best possible education and overcrowded schools do not lend themselves to that.

"Myself and others have brought this up in council meetings, and it is something which has to be addressed in the future."

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