NEW homeowners will be able to peer into the bedrooms of existing properties if a controversial development goes ahead, it is claimed.

More than 300 letters have been sent to Croydon Council objecting to new plans for 30A and 32 Gibson's Hill in Norbury.

Applicant Devine Homes wants to demolish the existing buildings – a bungalow and a detached home.

It intends to create a new access road and build eight three-bedroom semi-detached houses with garages on the piece of land behind Gibson's Hill and Christian Fields.

The land had been used as tennis courts in the past and protestors believe the area is too small to build upon.

Ward councillor Maggie Mansell said: "The concern is anything you build on that site will be overlooking back gardens and into bedrooms.

"I think it should be left as it is. You'll have the backs facing fronts (of properties) and whenever you see that situation you know there's not enough room to build properly."

Previous plans to build 11 homes – three more than the current application – were rejected by Croydon Council in 2008, with more than 600 people signing a petition. This decision was later backed by the Planning Inspectorate following an appeal by the developer.

Michael Fuller, of Gibson's Hill, says he is concerned about privacy. He also explained there is a covenant which restricts a road being built as well as the number of houses erected in the two roads. Mr Fuller added: "The houses don't look anything like what's already there. They are totally out of character with the area."

In January 2008, police were called to the site by Cllr Mansell, but were unable to stop 15 trees being hacked down.

The trees did not have a tree preservation order, meaning they were not protected from being felled.

But there was anger at the time because an order could have been put on them in the future once a planning application was submitted.

A decision on the planning application is set to be made next month.

Chris Posgate, managing director of Devine Homes, said: "Nobody wants change but we have a housing crisis in this country and our schemes sell well and are desirable."