CONSERVATION experts will discuss plans to build 425 new homes on green belt land.

Proposals have been submitted to Redbridge Council to completely redevelop 53 acres of land either side of Five Oaks Lane in Chigwell.

Developers BroadwayMaylan have applied to build 350 houses and 75 apartments, of which 106 will be affordable rented housing.

The development will also include a community and leisure centre, shops and outdoor spaces including a children's play area.

In addition, more than ten per cent of the homes will also be wheelchair accessible, which exceeds current Government guidelines.

Hainault ward councillor Eddie Griffin said: “The development will only be good for the ward if there is the infrastructure to support it.

“Redbridge needs more homes, there's no doubt about that. But it's no good building 400-odd homes if there aren't the doctors surgeries and things that people living there will need.

“The council needs to give some indication of what it's going to do about all the things that need to go along with the development.”

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of Redbridge Council's conservation advisory panel tonight (April 12).

The plan was submitted on March 21. No date has yet been set for it to be referred to a planning committee.