Chigwell Homes has received approval from Epping Forest District Council to develop 62-homes – 24 of which will be affordable.

It is their largest development to date and the first major housing project to get the thumbs up since the the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation designation, which has stalled many housing projects in the region.

Existing buildings on the site will be demolished making way for the homes and flats – with construction likely to start this summer.

Dean Floyd, chairman of Chigwell, said: “The delivery of the site and the new homes is a deserved win not only for Chigwell Construction but for the immediate benefit to local residents and assists with Epping Forest District Council housing position.

“We agreed from the outset that we would offer 40% affordable to assist the council with the desperate housing shortage across all aspects of housing delivery, added to that 2 hectares of open space and the considerable £1.5m s.106 contributions.”