Plans to build 20 new homes on a farm site face an uphill battle for council approval.

Ahead of an Epping Forest District Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday, March 3, council officers have recommended the new builds in Stapleford Abbots be rejected.

The plans would see 20 homes built on High House Farm, Stapleford Road.

The proposed development, on Green Belt land, would comprise 20 residential units, five of which are designated as affordable units.

The development would be split into two concentrations of homes.

The first site would see the erections of, two two-bed homes and one three-bed home with three affordable homes comprising one three-bed house and two one-bed flats.

The second concentration would comprise 14 houses – two two-bed affordable houses and seven three-3 bed and five four-bed homes.

Plans for all homes include private gardens and off-street parking comprising garaging and surface spaces.

Planning documents state: “The proposed development, by reason of its overall built footprint, scale, bulk and massing would cause substantial harm to the openness, character and appearance on the Green Belt in this location.

“The application does not provide sufficient information to satisfy the Council, as competent authority, that the proposed development will not adversely affect the integrity of the Epping Forest Special Area for Conservation and there are no alternative solutions or imperative reasons of overriding public interest why the proposed development should be permitted.”

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