Controversial plans have been approved for more than 100 homes in Dunmow as part of the Woodlands Park development.

The Development Control Committee of Uttlesford District Council has given the green light to plans for the Emblems 2 scheme, on land to the north-west of Godfrey Way.

A number of conditions were imposed including the installation of a locked barrier, which would only be accessible to the emergency services. This was proposed after residents in Godfrey Way raised concerns about traffic flow.

Under the new conditions, Woodlands Park developers, Wickford Development Co Ltd, are required to present their plans with an installation date for the locked barrier to the council, as well as a temporary barrier while work is going on.

Residents and town councillors were also concerned the steepness of the roofs would encourage loft conversions so councillors on the committee took away the right of developers and future residents to install dormer windows without planning permission.

Residents living in The Mead, Bradley Close, and The Poplars, said they were concerned about an invasion of privacy from the new homes backing onto their gardens.

The design plans were approved following a recommendation by planning officers because they follow the scale and design of previously approved homes on the Woodlands Park estate.

Developers can start work on the site once they have met the conditions of their application.

Gwynn Davies, Dunmow town councillor, a resident of Godfrey Way, said: "It makes sense to have access to Godfrey Way restricted during the building phase with the installation of the barrier, otherwise we would have a lot of unnecessary traffic coming from the Stebbing direction, and to and from the Helena Romanes School."

Keith Clarke, councillor for Dunmow south and a member of the Development Control Committee, said: "In retrospect, I would like to have seen the case better laid from the beginning."

Published Friday September 3, 2004

Brought to you by the Essex Chronicle