RESIDENTS concerned about plans to build 28 houses on green belt land have submitted a petition to the council opposing the proposed development.

Several small businesses currently occupy buildings on the site off Roding Lane North in Woodford Bridge.

But Development Securities wants to demolish the existing buildings, several of which date back to the 19th century, and construct a new housing development.

Now, 53 people living nearby have signed a petition calling on the council to reject the developer’s plans.

Brenda Cooper, 63, of Marston Road, is among those who have voiced their opposition to the plans.

She said: “If we don’t oppose developments like this we’ll be in trouble.

“We have to take a stand against these developers because if they had their way they would cover the whole of London in houses.”

As well as the petition, the council has also received several written letters of objection to the plans, with many of those raising concerns about an increase in traffic along Roding Lane North.

Richard White, 61, who has lived in Roding Lane North all his life, organised the petition.

He said: “We think this will increase the volume of traffic on what is already a busy road.

“But that is not our only concern.

“The number of signatures on this petition shows the strength of feeling among residents about this.

“I could have got many more, but I wanted to show our hand as soon as possible.”

Previous plans from another developer to build 52 homes on the site were rejected in 2006 over concerns about the impact on the openness of the Green Belt.

And objectors hope Development Securites will also fail with their bid to get permission to build on the site.

Peter Hodges, 79, who lives on Roding Lane North, said: “They are building in the corner of this site and there will be plenty of room left for them to expand.

“This is just the thin end of the wedge “If we don’t make a stand, before long the whole of Woodford Bridge will be gobbled up by developments like this.”

The Guardian is awaiting a comment from Metropolitan Workshop, the architects who designed the plans for Development Securities.

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