Devastated householders have lost a five year battle to protect green space in their neighbourhood.

Residents have been campaigning against the plans by developers Eco Land and New Homes Limited to build houses on land adjacent to Dinton Field, in Kingston, since 2007.

The group have submitted three petitions during their fight, citing fears over flooding, lack of emergency access, loss of wildlife, overlooking, noise and loss of character.

Despite the concerns, the planning inspectorate upheld the developer’s appeal to allow six two-storey houses to be built on Thursday, June 21.

Dinton Road resident Simon Glover said he was devastated after hearing the news and is most concerned about the flood risk and on cost to Kingston Council, who will have to foot the bill for flood mitigation.

He said: "Our property has been nearly under water a couple of times when it has rained heavily and this can only make that worse.

"The houses are so huge and packed together it really doesn’t fit with this area, it’s bizarre that they should cram so much in."

Declan Terry has lived in nearby Bockhampton Road for more than 40 years.

He said: "This is not a Nimby case it’s for anyone who lives in Kingston and cares and knows about the area.

"We would have had a much worse development than this when in came up in 2007 had we not fought it.

"This development has always been about greed."

The community, nearby schools and clubs who use Dinton Field and struggle with water logged ground already have supported the residents throughout.

MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, Zac Goldsmith, supported the residents’ campaign against the latest development, which was the fourth application since 2007.

He said: "This decision has been made in the face of intense and continued local opposition from residents and their elected local councillors.

"It demonstrates once again why the current planning regime needs to be made more democratic."

Councillor Andrea Craig said: "The level of objection locally was much stronger than the level of support which came from as far a field as the USA.

"As well as strong local feeling ignored, the inspector whilst recognising the danger of local flooding has still approved it."