Plans to build a new car wash and valeting facility at a former allotment site on green belt land have been rejected.

The vacant site is located on the eastern side of Coopers Hills, opposite an existing car wash in Chipping Ongar.

The application submitted by Kastrior Rexha, of Chingford, proposed a change of use for the land, with two on-site buildings and space for nine parked vehicles.

Plans also included new road infrastructure, including an access road around the site. 

Planning permission was rejected last night at a meeting of Area Planning Sub-Commitee East.

The plans were considered to be an inappropriate and harmful development on green belt land, creating a high risk of flooding, traffic congestion near access to a highway, concerns over protecting the trees.

The proposal was also deemed 'visually intrusive' and to 'the detriment of character in the area'.

Ongar Parish Council strongly objected to the application, citing concerns over highway safety, unappealing appearance and environmental factors concerning protected species and the green belt status.