Proposed plans to partially transform a plant nursery into a traveller site have been rejected.

The plans, which were submitted by Kathleen O'Driscoll, sought permission to house four caravans for named relatives at the former Son’s Nursery site in Hamlet Hill, Roydon, for four years.  

Plans also included changing an office block on the land into a utility building with a bedroom for Ms O'Driscoll who can no long travel due to health issues.

Epping Forest District Council received several objections to the application from residents, including the Roydon Hamlet Residents Association and Roydon Parish Council.

Residents aired fears that if approved the traveller site would become a permanent addition to the area.

In a statement the association said: “We strongly object to this application and ask this is not supported and approved. 

“The site has a history of being anti-social and really concerns local Residents.  

"Son's nursery has the potential to become a very large Gypsy encampment over time and planners need be very aware of this. 

“We recognise that Gypsy and Travellers have a right to be homed but at the same challenge EFDC to find alternative sites that can be developed in other areas outside of Roydon Hamlet.” 

A majority vote of ten to none with two abstentions voted to reject the plans at the Area Planning Sub-Committee West yesterday evening (June 24) after it was established that the site is within the Metropolitan Green Belt.

Counciller Yolanda Knight invited the applicant to reapply with a revised application.