AN electricity sub-station could still be installed outside homes, despite the plans being thrown out.

District councillors rejected the proposals for the McCarthy and Stone site in Epping High Street because of the impact it would have on neighbouring properties.

But a spokesman for McCarthy and Stone said it was deciding whether to appeal.

A number of objections from people living next to the site were sent to the district council, which already has planning permission for 28 sheltered flats.

Speaking on behalf of residents at the district council's planning meeting, Joanna James from Beech Place said: “Our children will have even more brickwork to surround them whilst they are out playing in their own garden, when they used to be surrounded by fruit trees and shrubs before work was started by McCarthy and Stone.

"We feel we are being pushed aside for the benefit of people who don't yet live in the area.”

District councillor Brian Rolf said: “I'm very concerned about this. The sub station would be so close to the properties. I couldn't believe it was being sited so close to their gardens.

“We are talking about the lives of people who live in these properties and I definitely think we should throw this out.”

Objections were submitted to the council from 11 people living near to the site and from Epping Town Council.

Jay Vyas, 36, from Beech Place, said after the meeting: "We already have this development at the back of our garden and the sub-station was refused because of the impact it would have on our homes.

"The company like to pretend that they are neighbourly and friendly but it's not very friendly building this development right next to our house."

At the original planning inquiry, when permission was granted to build 28 sheltered homes, McCarthy and Stone said there was no need for a sub-station.

A spokesman for the company said: “We will wait for the response from the council before deciding what to do next.”