A GROUP of residents in Loughton are being offered first refusal on an area of land so they can extend their gardens.

Epping Forest District Council has agreed that six residents - at 30, 34 and 36 Poundfield Road; 42 and 44 Alderton Hall Lane, and 70 Greenfields - should be given the chance to purchase plots of the former council-owned ex-garage site behind 30-36 Poundfield Road for £20,000.

The move, agreed by the council's cabinet last night (Monday), follows the refusal of planning permission for two bungalows on the site.

Councillors rejected Estuary Housing Association's plans saying it would be overdevelopment, out of keeping with the area and introduce backland development.

The residents have been given six weeks to accept the council's offer and submit a planning application for the change of use. Once planning permission is granted they will then have eight weeks to complete the purchase of the land.