A DECISION on plans for a Marks and Spencer food store on the Lambs Garage pay-and-display car park in Loughton High Road has been deferred to allow Epping Forest Council to renegotiate over money for community gain.

Councillors at Tuesday's district development control meeting heard that planning officers had hoped for a £120,000 financial agreement from the store giant to put towards town centre enhancement in Loughton, and for highways improvements.

But the company has offered only £45,000, and asked that it be subject to a condition that it be spent on enhancement within 25 metres of the store, and returned if not used within three years.

Councillor Keith Wright said the scheme would be positive and attract trade, but added: "I'm concerned about the reference to the amount of money for the area. I do feel that until that's resolved we can't approve this."

Councillor Tony Lee added: "For them Marks and Spencer to lay down how the money should be spent is over the top."

Concerns were raised about the effect the position of the store's car park would have on neighbouring properties. Councillors voted for a site visit to inspect the location for themselves.

Councillors were unhappy that they had not seen final details of the application and the financial agreement before the meeting, and said they needed more time to consider all the issues.

Councillor Fergus Maclaine said: "I'm increasingly uncomfortable about approving this now. We have a very important task here, and reconsideration is necessary."

Councillor John Gilliham said: "I feel like because it's finally in front of us it has to be over and done with in 30 minutes."

Planning officers are to hold further talks with the applicant over the car park's opening hours. Marks and Spencer has said it will be open until 10pm, an hour after the store closes, but councillors want an 11pm closure to accommodate people attending performances and events at Lopping Hall.

A Marks and Spencer spokesman said: "We were very disappointed by the decision. Having worked with the council for the last two-and-a-half years, we had hoped the benefits this proposal could bring to Loughton would be properly recognised.

"Instead we will have to consider if the requests made by the committee can be met and whether we can proceed. We hope we can work with the council to bring this to a successful conclusion which would be welcomed by our customers in Loughton."