A controversial application to build 45 homes on green belt land has been withdrawn less than 24 hours before a decision was due.

Giovanni Abella hoped to build the houses in St Leonard’s Road, Nazeing, but faced opposition from people living nearby, who cited a lack of infrastructure.

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

Despite the plan being backed by the parish council, district council planners had recommended refusal ahead of a vote by councillors tonight.

A report said the proposal did not include enough affordable housing and would result an “unacceptable degree of hazard to all road users”, due to poor visibility at the proposed entrance.

The withdrawal of the application was confirmed by the district council.

Leonard Beschizza, who has led the campaign against the proposal, said he was “over the moon” with the decision.

He said: “We have found that there are 100 approved applications pending in Nazeing in the last year what more do they want?

 “I’m not against developments that bring something to the community or add something we don’t have, but we didn’t need the sports hall or the football pitches.

"The infrastructure in the village would not be able to handle the added people. 

“The whole success of the campaign just goes to show what you can do if people have an interest, unite on social media and pester people who are in power.

“I would be surprised if it all ends here though.”

Parish councillor Thomas Arnold, of Nazeingbury ward, voted for the plan and expressed disappointment at the withdrawal.

He said: “The sports facilities offered by the development are badly needed in Nazeing.

“We only have two pitches and they are regularly out of use in the winter months due to over use.

“The Nazeing adult football teams now have to play out in Harlow.

“When you compare us to Theydon Bois, they have excellent indoor sport facilities, we have nothing.

“Our sports hall is a pre-fabricated building at the end of its shelf life and has a sloped floor.

“I think our village could have handled the development and none of the other proposed developments have offered facilities like this one so I am disappointed.”