An application to almost double the size of a marina has been refused after claims it would lead to “cars going in the river”.

At a high-level district development meeting of Epping Forest District Council last night (September 28), councillors turned down a plan to add an extra 240 moorings at Roydon Marina Village.

Roydon Parish Council and people living near the lake, part of the Roydon Mill Leisure Park by the High Street, claimed that many of the around 300 boats currently moored have full time occupants in defiance of existing rules.

The parish council claimed this costs the district council £100,000 a year in tax, and many pointed out traffic issues around the site because of people coming and going.

One objector, named as John Sweety at the meeting, claimed “dozens” of boats are currently lived on.

He said the towpath accessing the lake has only one point to pass, creating congestion and forcing drivers close to the water’s edge.

“It’s now got to the state where it’s very dangerous,” he said.

“If we put another 240 boats… that’s gonna make more traffic, more danger and sooner or later… we’re gonna have cars going in the river.”

He added: “More boats is going to be more people, more people is more cars.”

Under existing conditions, people can stay in the marina for a maximum of 28 days.

However, after a site visit ahead of the meeting, councillor Heather Brady said the large boats “just sit there and they stay there”.

The applicant’s agent Judith Ashton had earlier disputed the claim.

She said: “I have to say the accusations levelled at my client are without foundation and that none of those raising concerns over permanent residential use have sought to identify any of the boats concerned.

“Furthermore, planning officers, when they have been on site, have found no evidence of any such matters.”

Many councillors were concerned with the traffic levels entering the site, with cars said to be queuing dangerously close to a level crossing.

Councillor Robert Jennings said it is “chaos” and added: “I’d say this is a very dangerous situation… if you allow another 120 cars to enter that site at these periods, then I think that situation will only be exacerbated and I do have very serious concerns.”

After 40 minutes of debate, the proposal was refused by a large majority of councillors who said the development was inappropriate for the green belt and would have a negative impact on traffic around the site.