NEIGHBOURS have joined forces with their council to fight plans for a “truly huge” building which they say does not have enough parking spaces.

Epping Town Council has vowed to object proposals by Churchill Retirement Living, but Epping District Council will have the final say.

If the plans are approved, the company would bulldoze three houses in Stonards Hill and turn them into 19 one bedroom and two nine bedroom flats with 12 parking spaces.

Councillor Tony Church, Epping mayor, told the planning committee that “the proposed development really will be dominant” and that it is “overdevelopment” for the area.

Richard Billingham, who lives near the site, said: “This is truly a huge building. It will dominate the surrounding areas in Stonards Hill and Palmers Hill.

“Twenty eight flats may not generate 28 cars, but if this is a retirement development they will have carers and relatives coming to the site. Where will people park?

“I don’t object to the principal but what I do object to is the scale and size. It’s too dense for the site and I would suggest the size makes it unsuitable.”

Simon Liggins lives opposite the proposed site and says he opposes the idea because it would “totally destroy the street scene.”

He said: “We have no issue with the concept, however the proposed development is enormous and overbearing.”

Committee chairman, Nigel Avey, claimed that Epping “lacks this type of housing” but still was not convinced it was the right development for the area.

He said: “I stand by my comments that I think this proposed development is not right for the site.

“The council’s objections should be made in the strongest possible terms.”

There were also concerns that the Stonards Hill recreation ground car park would become an overflow car park for neighbours and visitors of the retirement homes.

A final decision will be taken by the district council.