A SLEW of applications to build flats along a busy residential road have drawn concern from people about their changing neighbourhood.

Several plans have recently been submitted to the district council to build flats in Manor Road including a resubmission of a proposal, previously rejected twice, to construct 21 flats at the site of Jennikings Garden Centre.

Permission to convert Manor Hall into ten flats was granted in June last year, and another application to demolish 109 and 111 Manor Road to replace the houses with 12 flats has just been submitted again.

Bishra Ahmed, of Grange Crescent, said enough was enough and the whole area was beginning to change beyond recognition.

She said: “When I moved here the traffic wasn’t that bad, now it can take half an hour to get down Manor Road, it’s that bad.

“The resources aren’t there, the transport isn’t here. It’s a residential area with one main road. Some apartments look like a house, which is better but it’s just too much. Five or six years ago it was some houses, some flats but now it’s only flats. It’s just to make easy money.”

Eileen Heard, of Warren Court, said she struggled to park outside her own home because of the increased number of cars in the area.

She added: “I think the volume of traffic is bad enough as it is down Manor Road. Parking here is absolutely disgusting. It’s choc-a bloc. If I go out I can’t come back again.

“I don’t agree with it but I can’t do anything about it. I think it’s going to happen. Whatever we do no-one takes any notice.

Chigwell Parish Council chairman Brian Sandler said: “I think it’s a little sad we are seeing so many big changes. We have tried desperately to protect big houses in big plots. That’s the character of Manor Road which keeps Chigwell a special place.”