An appeal has been submitted to overrule the rejection of plans for a retirement complex dubbed 'ugly' by councillors.

On April 28 Epping Forest District councillors went against officers' advice and turned down an application to build 105 retirement apartments on Alderton Hill, Loughton.

The councillors' objections followed 208 letters calling for the proposals to be binned with only 28 in support.

Of those in favour of the build, 13 were from addresses outside of Loughton, three of which have ties to development companies and estate agents.

At the meeting Loughton Resident Association councillor Judy Jennings said: "It seems to me the residents should be called inmates of this rather monstrous block.

"The plans ask for 51 (car parking) spaces for residents, 11 for staff.

"If you have people coming all day long servicing these flats, cooking, laundry, medical provisions I cannot see that these 11 parking spaces are in anyway sufficient.

"I have never seen so many objections and so strong objections (to an application)."

On June 13, developers Elysian Loughton Site Limited lodged an appeal, requiring officers and councillors to once more look at the plans.

Once all the required documents are with the council, a decision should be made with 19 weeks.