Garden grabbing developers are finding themselves facing growing swarms of furious residents as the trend for building on green land continues.

The latest application to build in the garden of 175 Sheen Lane is being fiercely opposed by residents, who are horrified by the proposal to transform the garden into a four-bedroom house.

The plan, which will see several trees replaced with parking spaces, also includes turning the Edwardian house into seven flats and building another four-bed house at the side of the building.

Budd Margolis, speaking on behalf of residents, said: "This development will be a huge burden on the area's resources and will negatively impact our environment and ecology.

"The best course of action would be for the developers to meet local residents to find out what would be acceptable. This would save a lot of time and frustration for both parties."

Julia Bates, deputy chairman of SOS Avenue Gardens, helped set up an action group that successfully put a stop to a similar proposal in Avenue Gardens, East Sheen.

She said: "This proposal echoes the problems we encountered and likewise reflects a national trend that has reached unacceptable proportions.

"If you go to any street corner in this borough and talk to everybody about it they will have a story to tell. This needs to stop. Gardens are gardens."

Malcolm Watton, representing developers Cannon Properties, said: "We have proposed building a home in the garden, which we think is reasonable and logical. We would certainly be happy to sit down and talk about the plans with residents."

A spokesman for the council said: "This application is still under consideration. No date has been set for a decision and we are still awaiting information from the council's officers."