Plans for a 105 apartment development that could extend a village's ability to bury its dead by 80 years are recommended for refusal.

Officers have suggested Epping Forest District Councillors turn down an application to build 87 two-bedroom and 18 one bedroom assisted living apartments west of Froghall in Chigwell when it comes to committee on Wednesday evening.

The large five building development would be arranged around a central landscaped area and linked by footpaths which also connect to parking areas capable of holding 132 cars.

A key part of the proposal is the transfer of 0.45 hectares of land from the applicant to Chigwell Parish Council.

The application reads: "The applicant does not propose to develop that part of the proposal beyond this seeking Outline consent.

"Rather, it is proposed to transfer ownership of the land to Chigwell Parish Council who own and manage the existing cemetery.

"The proposed cemetery extension would add approximately 80 years additional capacity to Chigwell Cemetery.

"In the meantime, the existing cemetery has capacity for approximately 25 years of burials before the extension is required."

To further sweeten the deal applicants MPM Limited pledged to pay £1m towards the provision of affordable housing in the district, £52,500 towards the running costs of the Chigwell Hoppa Bus scheme, £24,909 for primary health care services and

£52,500 towards measures to mitigate the impact of the development on air quality within the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation.

While the total offer of £1.25m in contributions may seem generous, district council officers want twice as much in order to raise the affordable housing provision from 8 per cent of properties to 18 per cent.

The figure has proved a sticking point, with MPM unwilling to pay more than £1m and officers consequently suggesting an application nearly identical to one first submitted in 2017 again be refused.