A community group representing 9,000 people is gearing up for another battle against the development of green belt land, claiming an area is being forced to take too much housing.

LM Associates have returned with a second proposal for the Knolly’s Nursery site in Pick Hill, Waltham Abbey, which could see 105 homes, a shop, a doctor’s surgery and a community hall built.

The firm’s previous application for 166 homes was rejected as inappropriate last year.

But despite the revised plans, the Waltham Abbey Residents’ Association has vowed to fight the new proposal.

Members fear Waltham Abbey is going to get a raw deal from the Local Plan, which states 10,000 homes must be built across the district over the next 20 years.

Association chairwoman, Sue Calvert, said:  “We totally agree there is an element of affordable housing we need for our kids, for our families and especially for our elderly, our concern is we have the most available land, and are at risk of taking more than our fair share within the district.

“Why should the Abbey be the dumping ground for the rest of the district just so it can meet its housing targets?”

A number of comments have been left on the association’s Facebook page.

Karen sanders wrote:  ‘Waltham Abbey is full up!!! Any more building and the poor kids of the future won’t know what grass is.’

Charles Brand, of Pick Hill: “We’re against it. For a start, the little road could not take the traffic.
“The road that goes around our estate is so narrow, the bus has a job to get through.

“The open space is lovely. I bought this house 10 years ago because of it.”

The association recently also registered its opposition to plans for a 250 home development in Upshire Road, although an application is yet to be submitted.

To view the new application for Knolly’s Nursey and make a comment visit www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk.