A children’s play area at a sheltered housing scheme has been saved after the council rejected a proposal to convert it into flats.

Councillors refused plans to make two rooms in Isledon House, in Prebend Street, Islington, into a one bedroom flat for two people.

Currently shared by all estate residents, the communal room is also used as a workshop.

A council spokesperson said the reasons for the refusal were that the development would result in a loss of “amenity” and was contrary to various planning policies.

A petition of 30 signatures as well as three letters of objection opposed the planning application.

They stated that the communal area was regularly used, that there was no consultation before the plans were submitted and the council’s consultation letter didn’t describe the development clearly.