Jubilant campaigners are celebrating after divisive plans for 45 homes on green belt land were finally rejected this week.

Leonard Beschizza, long-time opponent to the development off St Leonard’s Road in Nazeing, said local people were “totally relieved” after the plans were defeated on Wednesday (November 18).

Giovanni Abella, a director of firm UK Salads, had hoped to build the homes, 18 'affordable', as well as a multi-purpose hall, sports pitch and car park.

Despite conditional backing from Nazeing Parish Council, large numbers of people had opposed the plans – and a similar application last year – over the potential negative impact on the green belt and increased pressure on local roads.

Mr Beschizza celebrated after the Epping Forest District Council ruling.

He said: “It feels like the cloud that has been hanging over our heads for months has finally dissipated and the sun has come out.

“Common sense should take the credit for the final result.”

Councillors voted against the proposals as they sought to prevent urban sprawl in the cherished metropolitan green belt, with some saying previously developed brown field sites must be considered first.

Mr Beschizza said: “Although this is a more expensive alternative for developers and decontamination of existing brownfield sites will be a costly factor, without doubt this is the route that should always be taken first.

“Regeneration of ugly unused and rundown land should be used up first and foremost.

“This will help keep areas free from unsightly derelict buildings and land and much more pleasing to the eye.”

Following the decision, councillor Helen Kane said every application has to be judged on its own merit, but preserving the green belt is key.

She said: “We have to make some very serious decisions about how to tackle the housing problem… [but] we cannot build on fields, we have to make sure we first tackle areas where there are already buildings.”