Plans which could see the density of housing in Wanstead and Woodford quadrupled have been criticised as “nonsense” and “completely perverse”.

The neighbourhoods and communities service committee debated six options for the Local Development Framework 2015-30 last night at Redbridge town hall in Ilford last night.

One of the proposals would see large scale developments in traditionally suburban “major corridors” in Woodford Green, South Woodford and Wanstead.

This would require significant changes to current planning guidelines for the areas, which would see them treated as town centres to enable a greater density of homes.

Other options being considered include building on existing, unspecified “parcels” of green belt land, and developing Oakfield playing fields in Fencepiece Road, Ilford.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Roding ward, Gwyneth Deakins, attempted to have the Wanstead and Woodford proposal struck from the list, but no one was willing to second her motion.

She said: “I think of all the options this is the least credible, the density of housing would need to be quadrupled for it to reach the right level of housing.

“There are no details on how the necessary infrastructure will be built too, I just think these proposals are nonsense and completely perverse."

Conservative councillor Christopher Cummins, for Snaresbrook ward, said: “The proposal is unfortunate and alarming. I am very concerned about the impact it will have on the area.

“This part of the borough has a distinctive character and a semi-rural feel to it, so these plans would be detrimental to the area.”

But Nick Hayes, Conservative councillor for Fulwell ward, made it clear that the council had to make plans and it would probably come down to choosing the least worst option.

He said: “There is no way around it, there is a requirement on the council to produce up-to-date planning policy and, if we did not, then developers would have a field day.

“They would just take decisions to appeal and the council would not have a leg to stand on if it couldn't set out a plan for housing for the next five years at least."

The proposals will now go to a public consultation.