A "garden grabbing" plan to build four homes on the site currently occupied by one house was heavily criticised at a meeting.

Members of Loughton Town Council's planning committee have "strongly objected" to designs for 48 Church Lane.

More than fifty neighbours are currently campaigning against the proposal, accusing the site owners of "garden grabbing".

The planning committee on Wednesday said the plan would constitute over development of the site.

The committee also claimed safety could be undermined on the access road and privacy for households in Church Lane and Wellfields would be compromised if trees were chopped down.

Members agreed so-called "garden grabbing", which is a term used when gardens are sold off for development, was an issue and the plans were not in line with government guidelines.

The recommendations will be considered by Epping Forest District Council at the next development stage.