The Green Party has joined opposition to a potentially huge new housing development, over concerns that it could damage local business and put serious strain on infrastructure.

EW Davies Farms Ltd has proposed to build up to 72 new homes, half of them “affordable”, at a former haulage yard in Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey.

The plans have been refused permission by Epping Forest District Council but the developers have tried to overturn the decision by lodging an appeal, and a council verdict is due later this month.

The appeal has now been opposed by the Green Party, which claims the development should not go ahead.

Local co-ordinator Dave Plummer said: “Waltham Abbey desperately needs new homes but we need the infrastructure first.

“The former haulage yard site is poorly served by public transport, relying on the reduced 505 bus service, it recently lost its local health centre and the local schools are already oversubscribed.”

He added: “The site is currently occupied by several thriving small businesses, providing employment and putting money into Waltham Abbey's local economy.

“Although we support building on brownfield sites where practical we do not believe that this is an appropriate site.

“We should be looking at bringing empty housing back into use first.”

Possible impact on the green belt, which covers 92 per cent of Epping Forest district, was one of the main reasons councillors refused the plans.

A council spokesman said: “The proposed scheme would result in a residential development within the metropolitan green belt.

“Whilst the site constitutes previously developed land, the proposed scheme, by reason of its density and use, would have a greater and more adverse impact on the openness and character of the green belt and rural landscape in this location than the existing buildings and use.”

Councillors also raised concern about a possible loss of employment that the development could cause.

A spokesman for EW Davies Farms declined to comment on the Green Party opposition to the plans.

A decision is expected to be made on the appeal on August 25.