Turf war in 'garden grabbing' dispute

A cul-de-sac in south-west London will be covered in grass today in a protest against "garden grabbing" by developers.

Hundreds of metres of turf will be laid across Avenue Gardens, East Sheen, to highlight opposition to proposals for an extra nine homes.

Residents organised the protest after a developer submitted plans to Richmond council for the demolition of a Victorian home and the construction of five flats, four threebedroom houses and underground parking for nine cars in the property's back garden, which borders Mortlake Cemetery.

The scheme, by architect Hazan Smith and Partners, is the latest in a string of developments in gardens across London.

Julia Bates, chairman of action group SOS Avenue Gardens, said it was time councils clamped down on developers offering homeowners cash to sell their gardens.

"It is a greedy, high-density nightmare," she said. "We all want our green spaces preserved because nobody wants to live in a concrete jungle. This should not be happening in anybody's backyard."

Terence Smith, of Hazan Smith and Partners, said developer Grayswood Properties would plant trees, small shrubs and climbers to complement a paved area. But he admitted: "A sustainable development of this town centre site will of course change how much space there will be for planting."

A survey of six London boroughs last year found that two thirds of all brownfield developments were in gardens. A spokeswoman for Richmond council said it would consider the residents' views before planning officers made a decision.