Plans to demolish two detached homes and replace them with 14 apartments have been thrown out by the council.

At a meeting of Epping Forest District Council's planning sub-committee west on November 14 officers advised councillors to approve plans to knock down 38 Honey Lane.

In the place of two Edwardian properties would be built a four-storey block of one and two bed apartments and 14 parking spaces.

Prior to the meeting the proposals had attracted the criticism of Waltham Abbey Parish Council, which wrote: "The Committee strongly objects to this proposed development due to the design being completely different to the surrounding area which is primarily made up of Edwardian properties along Honey Lane.

"It would be out of keeping with the area.

"Concerns were also raised regarding the loss of architecturally interesting Edwardian property."

The councillors went against their officer colleagues and aligned with the parish council to dismiss the application.