Jennikings garden centre on Manor Road faces second proposal for flats and houses

Under developer Graham Cox's plan for land at Jennikings garden centre, in Manor Road, Chigwell, 28 flats, 41 houses and a “community building” would be constructed, and a new park created.

Harold Vancliffe, of Long Green, Chigwell, said: “It's going to cause a lot of traffic problems and it's bad enough as it is. I don't think it's a good idea really. It'd spoil the area. The population would swell and it's just right round here. I don't think we need any more houses.”

Irene Burt, of Manor Road, said: “It'll be a load of people coming and traffic could be a major problem. That road's very narrow and it always piles up.

“It's Green Belt land- nice land. We don't want whole villages going up there. What happens is it'll go further up the road, and further up the road and everywhere.”

The proposal for 21 flats has now progressed to the Development Control Committee stage at the district council, while Mr Cox's plan will be considered at a later date.

Mr Cox's architects Maddox and Associates have said their client's scheme should be granted permission as it will contain 54 affordable homes.

Their report states: “Planning permission should be granted for this application because it satisfies all the relevant policies, and an identified acute need for affordable family housing.”