A controversial development on the green belt is dividing opinion in the community as the developer vows to take his battle to a public planning enquiry.

The plans to build 41 homes and restore a farm barn at the Netherhouse Farm Site on Sewardstone Road was rejected again by Epping Forest District Council this week.

The application to build the 80 per cent affordable housing units was thrown out alongside a second plan to turn the grade two listed barn into a 160 square metre shop for community use.

Planning officers turned down the housing, on the grounds that it could not be built on green belt land and that traffic caused by the site would overwhelm the road.

The decision was welcomed by the residents of nearby Godwin Close, who have campaigned against the plans from the start.

Eddie Sinclair said: "I've heard he's had both his plans rejected now, but I'm sure he'll put them in again.

"Well that's fine we'll keep on fighting them. Its green belt land, it shouldn't be built on and that's all that matters."

But on nearby Sewardstone Road Linda Loveman couldn't disagree more.

She said:" If it had been a big block of flats I could have understood why it was rejected, but it was a lovely looking open development, and it would have brought a community shop back into the area.

"They say they can't build on it because its green belt land, but its the same site that's proposed for 16 traveller pitches, so are the council saying that local people can't have affordable homes but we can give the land to travellers?

"I'm just appalled at the way the council have handled this."

The developer, Tommy Tomkins, who also has applied for a public golf course on the same site said he will continue to push ahead with plans.

He said: "I will take it to a public inquiry if that's what is needed. I've been told that this area needs affordable housing, and the site has a lot to offer the community.

"I don't know why they've rejected it out of hand like that, but the people who are anti my plans are career objectors- they'd object to a lamppost."