Green light for Langston Road plans

The go-ahead has been given for the redevelopment of the former Langston Road lorry park, Loughton, despite pleas that it will have an adverse effect on local wildlife.

Building company Kier Ventures will build new headquarters while the Sytner Group will develop part of the site with a BMW dealership. The approved plans include landscaping.

In an hour-long debate district councillors listened to a last-ditch plea from Loughton councillor Stephen Murray, who said the development would have an adverse effect on the Roding Valley Meadows nature reserve, which is about 400 metres from Langston Road.

He said: "I don't think people understand what we're talking about, with the nature reserve in really close proximity. The reserve is a diamond nugget.

"It's very difficult to underestimate or overstate the environmental impact. We're talking about four or five floors on a part of the site that will have the most impact.

"We have hundreds of people visiting every week, and this building will impact on people's enjoyment."

Mr Murray suggested the Kier building would be better placed at the north of the site.

He added it was necessary to look at ways in which the traffic lights at the Langston Road, Chigwell Lane and Oakwood Hill junction could be improved, as the road was notoriously bad for traffic jams.

Councillors voted 11-2 in favour of the development, but agreed with Mr Murray that a condition should be that the phasing of the traffic lights be examined.

Councillor Stephen Barnes said: "It can be a right royal pain at this junction, and I have sympathy with that. We should be looking at these lights as part of a condition. It is something that will enhance the area for the community."

District council leader and Chigwell councillor John Knapman said the development could become "a gateway to a vibrant industrial area." He said: "We've got to realise we have got an industrial area we can build on."

He added that there was "always going to be some problem" if people using a nature reserve "mustn't look up and see a building."

Councillor Gavin Stollar requested Kier look at establishing links, and perhaps apprenticeships, with local schools and colleges nearby.

The application is subject to a £125,000 financial contribution from Kier towards enhancing the transport infrastructure and services in the area.

Loughton town council, Loughton Residents Association plans group and English Nature did not oppose the application, but had concerns about traffic and environmental impact. Essex Wildlife Trust opposed the development.