A decade after a successful campaign against a development, residents are preparing for battle over what they call a “WAG-style” development on the same site.

People living in Grove Lane, Chigwell, say they are furious over new plans to turn stables into six two-storey homes.

They successfully fought off a proposal to build homes on the site in 2003 and Steve Cenci, chairman of the Grove Lane residents’ group, says the proposed, detached homes were unsuitable for the area.

He said: “This is a historic and quiet, semi-rural lane in Chigwell. We all moved here for that reason.

“We had a lot of impassioned residents at a meeting last night.”

“This will be a WAG-style development which will be completely out of proportion with the traditional weatherboard cottages.

“The current owners have given the rights over the stables to the developers. The houses are going to be entirely out of proportion with this lane.”

Some residents also have concerns over safety as large vehicles involved in building would have to use the lane to access the site.

But the group accepts it may struggle to halt the current proposal by developer Elliot Pomerance because of the Local Plan, which requires 10,000 homes to be built across Epping Forest in the next 20 years.

The proposal has already been recommended for approval by Chigwell Parish Council.

“We are concerned about planning laws on greenbelt being relaxed,” Mr Cenci added.

“But these aren’t going to be affordable houses. It is a luxury development.”

The final decision on the application will be made by Epping Forest District Council’s planning committee.

People are invited to make comments until December 17.