A multi-millionaire has submitted a bid to build a large housing development on historic greenbelt land.

The proposal by Giovanni Abella, a director of firm Salad UK, which supplies vegetables to major supermarkets, hopes to create 45 homes on land he owns in St Leonards Road, Nazeing.

The plans also include a large building which could be used as a leisure centre or cinema, parking spaces and other amenities.

The site at Nazeing Bury, includes a grade II-listed house, with recorded settlements dating back to the Iron Age found in the vicinity.

Due to the historical importance of the site, an archaeological dig would have to take place before any development.

Leonard Beschizza, 59, lives opposite the site and has started a petition against the plans, saying he is opposed to development on greenbelt land.

 “The whole point in green belt land is that it has been set aside to protect areas of natural beauty from development. The developer should buy a piece of brown field land and make tennis courts out of that,” he said.

The consultation on the plans ends on November 7, with a final decision expected after Christmas.

For more on this story, see this week's Guardian - out Thursday