RESIDENTS in an Enfield conservation area have slammed the council for allowing the "criminal" demolition of two Edwardian houses.

Householders in the Lakes Estate Conservation Area, in Palmers Green, are outraged at the destruction of two "iconic" Edwardian homes and plans to replace them with ten two-bed flats.

The developer was granted permission for the flats in 2007, but the area has since been made a conservation area, with strict rules on rebuilds.

In a letter to a member of the Fox Lane and District Residents' Association, Sue Foster, director of place shaping and enterprise, called the demolition a "criminal act" which could result in a prosecution by the council.

Her letter stated: "Pursuant to the provisions of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 it is the council’s position that separate conservation area consent should have been applied for in order that the former nursing home could lawfully be demolished.

"This is a matter that the council takes with the upmost seriousness and, as such, the action constitutes a criminal offence for which the council will consider bringing a prosecution."

The Edwardian homes on the corner of Alderman's Hill and Derwent Road were demolished in May this year, three months after the new conservation area was declared.

Enfield originally granted planning permission in October 2007 for their demolition and for the building of the flats.

But the developer delayed starting the work, which was permitted with several conditions, and then bulldozed the houses without submitting any further documents.

Campaign leader Simon Oldfield said he and his neighbours wanted the planning permission to be rescinded.

He said: "I and other householders in the conservation area warned the council that demolition was about to begin, only to be told that nothing could be done.

"We were sickened to discover a couple of weeks later that action could and should have been taken, but it was too late.

"We think planning permission should now be rescinded. The developer should be required to submit fresh plans that do not damage the conservation area.

"If this is not done, the council might as well disband the conservation area and drop any pretence of protecting and enhancing Edwardian homes."

Enfield Council said the conservation area did not invalidate the original permission, but confirmed the developer was proposing a redesign "in response to the council's concerns".

It confirmed that a prosectution against the developer was "an option", but believed it "would not be in the best interests of the conservation area".

A spokesman said: "The key consideration to ensure the redevelopment of the site is sympathetic to the special character and appearance of the area.

"In response to the council’s concerns about the effect of the approved development on the conservation area, the developers are now proposing a redesign of the scheme that is more in keeping with the aesthetic style and appearance of the original building and the wider area."

He added: "The decision to pursue any prosecution against the developer is at the discretion of the council and remains an option should a negotiated solution not be achieved.

"However, subject to these amended elevations proving acceptable, a prosecution would delay the resolution of this situation, leaving the site in its current condition, which it is considered would not be in the best interests of the conservation area."