A NEW community could soon be built on Green Belt land after councillors voted 'in principle' to support plans for 69 new homes on the site of a garden centre.

Developers want to build a mixture of houses and flats at the rear of Jennikings in Manor Road, Chigwell, but local people are furious.

A separate proposal for 21 flats at the front of the Jennikings site was turned down at a council planning meeting on Tuesday night, which was packed with members of the public.

Objector Morris Hickey, of Long Green in Chigwell, told the committee: “I think it'd be driving a coach and horses through Green Belt policy to approve either, let alone both of these applications.

“The possibility of a total of 90 properties with two separate entrances would bring considerable traffic problems way above the many that there already are.”

Developer Graham Cox's agent said: “This proposal represents a rare and significant opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the district's affordable housing need. This previously developed site is close to the underground network and local shops and it's location is supportable.

“This is a unique opportunity to provide affordable family homes.”

He added Mr Cox would make a significant financial contribution to help re-open Grange Hill post office and would give some land to the council to be used by the community.

As well as the speakers, councillors also heard a statement from Jennikings itself, whose future is under threat if the scheme goes ahead.

The statement said it had been there for 20 years, and employed five full-time staff. It had 19,000 customers a year and provided advice and charity work.

Cllr Caroline Pond said: “We might want affordable housing but do we want it in Green Belt? Will we set a precedent and give a green light to other Green Belt sites? We are in danger of changing our policy.”

But Cllr Lesley Wagland responded by saing: “This particular site seems to be unusual in that it's sustainable. People can gain access to the tube. That particular location is the special circumstances.”

Mr Cox's proposal was approved by a majority of eight to four.

The second proposal for 21 flats by developer John Capper could not be granted permission as its proposed layout and access scheme was different.

Speaking after the meeting, protester Barry Fleetwood of Manor Road in Chigwell, said: “It's probably what we expected. One would expect to see one granted and one refused. However, it still has to go to the Secretary of State and we have further plans to attempt to stop it.”

Mr Hickey said he was “disgusted” by the decision.