Plans for seven apartments on the site of an existing house on Stonards Hill, Epping, have been opposed by the town council.

A planning application has been submitted to Epping Forest District Council to demolish the property at 1 Stonards Hill and replace it with a building containing one one-bedroom apartment and six two-bedroom apartments.

Town Mayor Grahame Scruton told Tuesday's planning and general purposes committee: "My feeling is it's one storey too high. I just think it's too tall even against the flats which front the High Road.

"They are trying to put too much on the site."

Councillor Mari-Louise Whitbread said: "It's very, very tall. It's very attractive but too tall."

Councillor Cherry McCredie said: "I think it's over-development. The place is absolutely enormous and swamping out the neighbours."

Councillor Michael Wright added: "I think it's substantial over-development. If we allow that we will have tower blocks all over Epping."

The committee agreed to object stating the proposals were an over-development in terms of height and bulk, and out of place with the street scene.

Councillors were also concerned over the loss of a tree on the site.

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