A proposal for a four-bedroom house behind the homes built on the former Carpenters Arms pub site in Thornwood is “not a clever idea”, a parish councillor has said.

North Weald Bassett Parish Council’s planning committee voted unanimously to object to plans for the property on the former pub car park off Carpenters Arms Lane.

Councillors’ concerns focus on potential damage to protected trees along the frontage of the site, and fears that additional vehicles could park along Carpenters Arms Lane restricting access for emergency vehicles.

Councillor Terry Blanks, speaking at Monday’s planning committee meeting, highlighted traffic issues that he encountered when he visited the lane to inspect the application site.

He said: “I couldn’t turn round. I had to reverse the whole way down to the High Road.

“In my view that land (the application site) should be dedicated to visitor parking or for the whole community, and for turning round or parking for ambulances.

“Trying to cram every inch with bricks and mortar is not a clever idea.”

Parish councillors were told by planning clerk Adriana Jones that the applicant, Des Rees – in documents submitted with the application – had said that the proposed house would have a limited impact and be in keeping with houses in the area.

He had added that two parking spaces were proposed with adequate turning space to avoid the need for vehicles to reverse onto Carpenters Arms Lane.

He added that the proposed property would be a material improvement to the site.