A bid to build a controversial housing development on green belt land has been narrowly voted down.

Waltham Abbey Developments Ltd applied for permission to create 105 homes on the Knolly's Nursery site in Pick Hill.

The plans were modified to remove prominant houses on higher ground following public opposition to the size of the development and 80 per cent of homes were described as 'affordable'.

But the planning committee last night rejected the application, by six votes to five.

Council planners said the application should be turned down due to its distance from appropriate infrastructure and lack of parking.

They said a proposal to relocate the Sunshine Nursery to the site should not affect the decision as it would be inappropriate on green belt land.

But some committee members did not accept this argument.

Elizabeth Webster, councillor for Waltham Abbey Paternoster, said: “I find it difficult to accept that the openness of the site is more important than housing for the future.”

Jean Lea, councillor for Waltham Abbey North East, agreed.

She said: “100 houses is not a big site. I support this development because I think affordable housing is a must.”

But other councillors agreed with the town hall planners' assessment and residents' concerns and voted down the proposal.