Controversial plans to demolish several properties and replace them with three times as many homes have been refused.

At an Epping Forest District Council planning meeting last night, councillors voted to refuse permission for the development of Trevelyan House in Arewater Green, Loughton.

The applicants, operating under Trevelyan House Limited, sought to demolish three existing properties and associated buildings and replace them with 10 new houses, an access road, parking spaces and landscaping.

The plan, which had been recommended for approval, was refused because of the size of the development, which was considered uncharacteristic and excessive for the area.

Councillors also considered the development to be too dense and cramped, and without enough parking spaces.

Six three-bedroom family homes and four larger four-bedroom properties were going to be built with 16 parking spaces serving the properties.

The town council had previously opposed the plan on the grounds that it would compromise road safety, claiming people in Monkchester Close would have difficulty accessing the busy and steep Goldings Hill.

Objections were also made by people living in nearby Almshouses, The Campaign to Protect Rural England and the City of London Corporation.

Plans were also considered to be unclear as access to the housing development would be relying on land owned by the neighbouring historic allotment site, known as Loughton Potato Ground.

Developers will now have the opportunity to appeal the decision.