PROPERTY development giant, Taylor Wimpey, has submitted an official application to demolish a derelict dairy and replace it with 68 new homes.

Residents and businesses near the abandoned Dairycrest building on Chigwell Road in South Woodford received letters from the developer at the end of August outlining the plans.

The abandoned dairy has been something of a magnet for anti-social behaviour in recent years, and was badly damaged by a fire on August 29.

Many of those living in the surrounding streets gave the development proposals the thumbs-up when they were initially contacted by Taylor Wimpey.

Since then, Taylor Wimpey has engaged in consultations with local people, and last week they met governors of Oakdale Junior School which backs onto the site.

Nobody from the school was prepared to comment on what was said at the meeting, but some residents have spoken about their concerns over the new housing complex.

Taylor Wimpey has provided space for 50 on-site parking places in its plans, but with 68 homes, there are fears that cars could be displaced onto surrounding roads.

Steve Hoskins, 50, of Granville Road said: “I have no real concerns with the development as long as it remains sympathetic with the look of the area.

“But parking does worry me.

“ It’s already an issue round here, particularly at the weekends when people take advantage of the lack of restrictions to park in the side roads.”

John Hehir, 72, lives on Chigwell Road and parks his car in nearby Onslow Gardens.

He said: “People are always parking on my driveway.

“When this development is built, there will be cars all over the place.

“I also worry that all these new families coming into the area will put pressure on everything from the bus services to the local dentist’s waiting lists.”

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