RESIDENTS have cautiously welcomed a recommendation by council officers to turn down a resubmitted application to build 21 flats on Green Belt land, but have expressed scepticism over the long-term future of the site.

The proposed development, on the site of Jennikings Garden Centre in Manor Road, Chigwell, would sit in front of a larger, adjacent complex of 69 homes which was controversially granted planning permission back in October last year.

Neighbours already fuming at the “destruction” of Green Belt land in the region fear that the new proposals, which are slightly modified from previously rejected applications, will increase the overdevelopment of the land and leave the region's infrastructure struggling to cope.

While officers have suggested that district councillors reject the proposals, campaigners believe the developers will succeed in getting their application approved either on appeal or by resubmitting it again at a later date because permission for the larger development at the site has already been rubber stamped.

Barry Fleetwood, 64, of Manor Road, said: “We're quite happy it might be turned down but I think they'll keep re-applying until they eventually wear down the council. Of course we're not going to give up and we'll keep fighting it.

“It's a bit of a nonsense that they've approved the development behind it but are recommending this one for refusal. The whole thing is illogical.”

Neighbour John Burt, 63, said: “I think 69 homes is quite enough, but at least it's back from the road. But I do think this will be an overdevelopment of the site and I have serious reservations whether Manor Road will be able to cope with the extra traffic.

“This part of Manor Road is quite leafy and is part of the countryside where as this amounts to dense urbanisation.”

As well as residents, neighbouring local authority Redbridge Council has also formally objected to the plans on the grounds that the plans are out of keeping with the area.

Councillors on Epping Forest District Council's Area Planning Subcommittee South board are expected to make a decision on the application at a meeting next Wednesday (May 26).