ONGAR: Villagers unite against homes plan

9:07am Friday 4th July 2008

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A COMMUNITY is united in its opposition to a large housing development in their village.

Residents, councillors and railway enthusiasts have all voiced objections to the development of 52 homes on former railway land at Station Approach in Ongar.

Outline planning permission has already been granted for the David Wilson Homes project which would consist of 39 two and three storey houses and flats, and a three-storey mother-and-baby unit with 13 self-contained apartments and support facilities for young parents.

The unit's flats will have a communal kitchen, lounge and play area, and would cater predominantly for single mothers, from the Epping Forest, Brentwood, Uttlesford and surrounding areas.

Ongar Town Council met last Thursday (June 26) to consider the plans, and raised several concerns for the district council's planning committee to consider.

Councillors said the height of the three-storey building would be "out-of-character and proportion with the surrounding environment" and said the increase in traffic would "add to the already busy High Street to the detriment of road safety".

Members were also concerned by "inadequate infrastructure" and said health services and shopping facilities in the area were already overloaded.

They also said they felt it might have an adverse effect on wildlife at the site and they urged the district council to give local residents more time to raise concerns and ask questions about the scheme.

John Glover, chairman of the Ongar Railway Preservation Society, has long campaigned against the project, arguing it would scupper plans to reinstate a commuter railway service.

Mr Glover, of Toot Hill, Ongar, said: "We are glad to see the town council has raised objections which are in keeping with the feeling in our community which believes this is a development will have no benefit for local residents.

"We have always said this area should be for railway use. We know that is what people in the village want."

Dennis Mortimer, of Bowes Drive, Ongar, is one of many villagers concerned about the development.

He said: "They are building houses but not providing enough facilities for people living in the area.

"The school is fully subscribed and you cannot get on the books at doctors' surgeries."

Brian Hatch, of Love Lane, Ongar, called it a "step backwards for the town", and said he felt the project was aimed at tackling the problems of residents from outside the village.

A spokesman for Epping Forest District Council said it would be inappropriate to comment before the application goes before the planning committee.

The district council is expected to make a final decision about the project by the end of July.

A spokesman for David Wilson Homes said management at the company were unavailable for comment