Controversial plans for a new commuter car park were blocked last night (May 13).

At a planning meeting of Epping Forest District Council, councillors voted to refuse a prior approval application from Transport for London (TfL) for a new 80-space car park on green belt land to the east of Theydon Bois station.

Under the application, TfL would have been able to build the new car park without the full consultation of relevant bodies such as Essex Highways, which is required under a standard planning application.

This has led a number of groups, including Theydon Bois Parish Council and Theydon Bois Action Group, to claim that TfL has acted “undemocratically”.

Groups opposing the plan have raised a number of issues, including concerns that access from the 60mph Abridge Road on to Station Hill could be dangerous and lead to serious injuries or deaths if plans go ahead without a full transport assessment.

TfL has been contacted for comment, and will now be able to appeal the district council’s decision.