Amended plans to build 28 retirement apartments have been rejected for a second time.

Churchill Retirement Living proposed to build a three-storey building on Stonards Hill, Epping, with a guest apartment, communal facilities, two accesses, 15 parking spaces and landscaping.

Epping Town Council’s planning and general purposes committee decided to dismiss the plans to construct the building at their meeting on Tuesday, May 14.

A previous scheme was objected by Epping Forest District Council was dismissed on appeal.

Spencer McCarthy, Churchill Retirement Living’s chairman and CEO, said: “We believe our proposed development is well designed and will provide much needed new housing for people in and around Epping.

“As well as creating jobs for the local economy and regular shoppers for the local high street, enabling older people to downsize will also free up more family housing for younger people in the area to move into.

“Our new design reflects feedback from the council and the Planning Inspector, it includes increased car parking provision, and we believe it will make a valuable contribution to the area.”

Town clerk Beverley Rumsey said the new design was set further back from the road.

Councillor Barbara Scruton said: "It's opposite beautiful Georgian houses. They may have addressed some of the issues but I still think parking, bulk and the street scene is still an issue. So is the traffic."

Councillor Michael Wright said: "Fifteen parking spaces is not enough. They will park in the road which is not very good as it stands.

"The houses they are pulling down are substantial detached houses. It's not going to enhance the road."

The committee voted to object on the grounds of traffic and highway safety, parking issues, the bulk of the proposed building and the loss of amenity for neighbours.