Flats rejection

PLANNING permission for four flats on a small plot in Upper Park, Loughton, was refused by district councillors, despite a warning from the applicant's agent that it would leave the council facing the cost of an appeal.

Councillor Gavin Stollar said: "In every case there's the possibility of an appeal. That can't be a consideration for this planning committee. We're looking purely at the design and whether it's in keeping with the area."

Councillor Ann Haigh added: "I don't approve of that being put in part of the presentation. That was very ill-judged."

Upper Park Developments Ltd wants to build a two-storey side extension and single-storey rear extension on a semi-detached property at 3 Upper Park to include a two-bedroom and three one-bedroom flats, with three off-street parking spaces, but councillors rejected the development by nine votes to one because of concerns raised by local residents over parking and its overbearing size and bulk compared with other houses in the road.

Councillor James Hart said: "I'm astonished they want to put four flats onto such a small piece of land. It's over development."

A similar application for five flats was rejected by district councillors last year and a subsequent appeal was dismissed on the grounds of its overbearing bulk, but the revised scheme is smaller and less intrusive and applicants' agent Alaistair Allen said he was confident his client would win on appeal.