A controversial planning application to redevelop a Battersea estate was approved by Wandsworth Council last night.

Planning consultants Indigo Planning submitted an application in March on behalf of Peabody to replace the existing building at the Peabody Estate, in St John’s Hill.

The plan is to build blocks of flats ranging from four to 12 storeys that would provide 527 new homes Prior to the meeting on Wednesday, July 18, the proposals had met fierce opposition from neighbours and ward councillors concerned about the impact on traffic, light and the disruption from six years’ building work.

Cyril Richert, speaking on behalf of the Clapham Junction Action Group, said: “Although Peabody cheered the result and the council officers looked relieved their recommendation was followed, this is clearly a failure.

“It is a failure for Peabody’s image – it has shown little respect for the residents.

“It is a failure for the council that approved a report that was in breach of several of its policies. And it has failed the residents who face many years wrangling over the kind of scheme that will be acceptable.”

Northcote ward councillors Martin Johnson, Peter Dawson and Jenny Brown believe the application should have been withdrawn until a number of issues were resolved.

Coun Johnson said: “It makes a poor and thoughtless transformation from existing to new.

“There is far from sufficient high quality recreational space for the 200 plus children likely to live in the development.

“Although there are the remote sections of Wandsworth Common nearby, this is unlikely to be appropriate for the wide spread of ages likely to be living on the proposed estate.”

But after last night’s meeting Councillor Nick Cuff, planning applications committee chairman, said: “This 1930s housing estate is in desperate need of redevelopment.

“The approved scheme would replace its sub-standard accommodation with modern new homes – over half of which would be for social rent or available through a range of affordable housing schemes.”

The full details of the planning application are available aby going to wandsworth.gov.uk/ planning and searching for application reference number 2012 /1258.