A big new development has been planned for a site in Waltham Abbey, including a children’s centre, 79 homes, parking and a new access route.

Designs for the future of Knollys Nursery in Pick Hill will be debated when they reach the council’s planning committee, next week.

But, plans have been met with objection from over 40 neighbours, residents associations and walking groups and a similar number of supporters.

The applicant, Mr James Thomas, is seeking permission to build 36 two bedroom affordable houses, 27 three bedroom affordable houses, 11 three bedroom private dwellings and five four bedroom private dwellings.

In recent years, two schemes have been refused for the land because of its position on the green belt.

According to planning officers, the site is considered to be unsustainable in respect of proximity to shops, services and facilities in Waltham Abbey.

But, despite this, the town council has offered no objection.

There are major concerns from neighbours regarding the suitability of the land, the increase in traffic and the protection of wildlife on the land.

The Sunshine Nursery and Pre School Centre was given notice to leave its current site in 2014, but developers have promised to give them a new home in the proposed site, winning the scheme a lot of support.

Planning officers have proposed an objection, concluding: “Whilst this submitted scheme undoubtedly has some positive attributes, particularly with regards to affordable housing provision, the position previously maintained that the scheme is clearly inappropriate in the Green Belt and that no very special circumstances sufficient to outweigh the

harm still remains relevant.

“Furthermore the site is considered to be located in an unsustainable location, resulting in the imbalanced spreading of this settlement eastward and away from its historic core and local services.”

A decision will be made by the planning committee on August 19.