Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband's wife, Dame Justine Thornton, has joined a neighbourhood campaign against a block of flats near the couple's £3million Victorian home in North London.

The high court judge is opposing a development that would include multiple air source heat pumps, which campaigners describe as "noisy".

The stance appears at odds with her husband's position, as Miliband is actively promoting the installation of such heat pumps in all new buildings nationwide.

The row also comes after Sir Keir Starmer previously criticised so-called "nimbys" for "holding Britain back" on new builds.

Thornton has joined other neighbours against a new block of flats near her home in North London

The situation also contradicts Labour's housing policy, with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner being instructed to build 1.5 million new homes by 2030.

The dispute in North London centres around a 1930s detached house in Dartmouth Park, a conservation area that had been purchased four years ago for £1.7million by Turkish property developer Dicle Guntas Girman.

Girman and her company, HGG London Limited, have applied to demolish the existing house and replace it with a six-storey block containing six flats, collectively valued at more than £6million.

The property lies close to the villa occupied by former Labour leader Miliband, Thornton, and their two sons.

Several neighbours, including actor Benedict Cumberbatch, have also joined the opposition to the development plans.

In her formal letter of objection to the council, Thornton wrote: "No objection to the principle of redevelopment into flats, particularly in the context of the need for more housing.

"The nearby Highgate Newtown residential development is a brilliant example of thoughtful design in harmony with neighbouring properties. This application presents another opportunity for the Council to demonstrate its commitment to the provision of sympathetically designed housing by acknowledging the benefit of redevelopment while rejecting this particular design."

Neighbour Karla de Montbel also complained about "increased noise as the heat pumps are inadequate for the size, and also located too close to neighbours".

The situation contradicts Labour's housing policy

Another resident, Ruth Liebling, stated: "The positioning of six heat pumps in an enclosure at ground level would cause constant noise pollution to nearby properties as they are so near to them."

However, in his role as Starmer's net zero tsar, Miliband is vowing to "take on the blockers, the delayers, the obstructionists".

Critics point out that heat pumps cost several times as much as gas boilers, which face being banned.

The developers also argue they could "deliver new housing on a brownfield site in line with national and local planning policy objectives".

Responding to the row, Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: "Red Ed joins the not-at-all exclusive club of 14 other serving cabinet ministers who have objected to housing developments in their areas."