Four new “desperately needed” affordable homes have been delayed indefinitely after a fifty-fifty split vote.

Considering plans on Wednesday (September 9), five Epping Forest district councillors voted for and five voted against the development on a garage court in Stewards Green Road, Epping.

Submitted by the East Thames Housing Group (ETHG), the development on council-owned land faced opposition over fears that neighbours would be unable to park their cars after garages are demolished to make way for the houses.

Council officer Dominic Duffin supported the application, saying it “ticks a lot of boxes”.

“It is a suitable location for housing, in my opinion it is a perfect brownfield site for a development.

“It is much need affordable housing, much needed housing within the built-up envelope of the town.”

Dan Reed, from ETHG, also defended the plans.

He said: “Epping Forest District Council has around 1,400 applicants on its waiting list and there is a desperate need for more affordable homes.”

He reminded the council the site had been picked in July 2012, when more than 20 per cent of garages were empty.

“This is a good use of a brownfield site and demonstrates a good use of council resources to ensure that the development of council homes can contribute to housing need in Epping.

“Whilst there would be a loss of garage spaces in the area, units will be provided with their own parking spaces and will not in themselves contribute to the issue.”

Despite reassurances, councillor Janet Whitehouse opposed approving the plans pending a survey from the highways department.

She said: “The parking situation has just not been given the attention that it deserves.”

She added: “Nine people are going to be displaced from those garages, there are not any others nearby and it is not clear at all where they are going to go.”

Meeting chair councillor Sue Jones had the casting vote after the split decision, but instead called for the plans to be considered by full council at a high-level district development management committee.

Responding to frustration with the highways department, she called for it to complete reports on traffic and parking in time for the next meeting.

She said: “I am not sure that something like this should go on a single vote… I think [a management committee] is the best way forward given the strength of feelings and the opinions both of the residents and of members of the committee.”