Fourteen new flats could be built next to a restaurant car park in Ongar, if permission is granted by Epping Forest District council, next week.

A three-storey block has been designed to sit behind the Smiths Restaurant in Fyfield Road, for developers Bluesky Investments Limited.

The flats would be allotted 22 spaces in the car park and a new 34 space car park will be built at the rear for Smiths restaurant, under new designs.

Ongar Town Council has objected to plans which would see flats built on the old bowling green.

Outline planning permission was granted for the  restaurant where celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham celebrated their engagement to be demolished in 2005.

The authority raised concerns over the current parking issues which they claim are unmanaged by the restaurant.

A decision will be made by the council’s planning committee on July 15 at the town hall in Epping.