PLANS for 104 homes in a flooding Essex hotspot have been put on hold after concerns were raised by councillors. The plans by developers Orchestra (St. Leonards) Limited and Boldshire Limited are for 104 homes near St Leonards Road in Lower Nazeing reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

But the plans were put on hold during an Epping Forest District Council planning meeting on Wednesday (June 4), with councillors also pointing to speeding and the volume of traffic in the area as another issue that “needed to be dealt with”.

A spokesman for the developer said: “Importantly, the [development] will deliver 104 homes, 42 of which will be affordable, meeting the council’s full requirement. The plans will deliver traffic calming, pedestrian improvements, new bus stops and enhanced public transport provision, which will benefit not only the residents of the development but the existing residents within the local community.”

But during the meeting, Councillor Richard Bassett said he was “very concerned” about speeding. saying: “There needs to be further work done on making the road safe. I do a speed watch on that road and the amount of people we catch doing well into 40 and 50mph, because they come from a 60mph. They will just get into the 30mph and then you’ll be on where this exit is.”

Cllr Bassett said “well over” 7,500 vehicles use the road every day and added that he received “constant” photos from residents showing flooding in the area. The meeting was told there were “multiple” objections from residents.

The council leader, Chris Whitbread, told the meeting that there needed to be “tangible evidence” that the people of Lower Nazeing would benefit from the development for it to be approved.

Cllr Whitbread said: “We all know flooding’s a problem there. There is a real issue. I want to make sure we do address the flooding issue. So many people there have suffered over the years; it’s not acceptable, it needs to be dealt with.”