A Harrow councillor said he has “sympathy” with neighbouring properties after planning permission was granted to redevelop two homes in a residential street.

Cllr Stephen Greek said he “could not support” the application in The Meadow Way, Harrow, which will see nine new flats built in two semi-detached properties.

It was approved by Harrow Council’s planning committee by a majority of one vote despite clear opposition from neighbours, who presented a petition with more than 50 signatures.

Cllr Greek said: “They’ve tried to squeeze far too much into this proposal, and I think it’s going to have a detrimental impact on the local community.”

He said there is certainly potential for redevelopment at this site but suggested that this particular application was inappropriate.

Council officers noted the objections from those living nearby, including the increased size of the building, concerns about balconies overlooking neighbouring properties and increased parking pressures.

They argued that the balconies will not result in a loss of privacy given that they are within the design’s roof and pointed out that there is one parking space provided for each home, which is in keeping with the local plan.

And while they noted the increased footprint at the site, they concluded that the area can cope with this due to the size of the overall plot it is built on.

Emma McBurney, planning consultant at Michael Burroughs Associates, the agent managing the application, said: “It will have no more harmful effect than the present situation.”

Despite the objections raised by residents, who described the new design as “monstrous”, the plans were approved by four Labour votes to three opposition ones.