Proposals for these new flats in Chigwell were making our headlines five years ago this week

Plans for five new luxury flats with an indoor cinema and gym could “cause a tidal wave of destruction”, neighbours have claimed.

Epping Forest District Council will consider proposals from applicant Robert Davis for a new “classically inspired” building in Stradbroke Drive, Chigwell.

Replacing an already grand five-bedroom house and outdoor swimming pool, the detached development would have ten more bedrooms and an underground car park.

The scheme has already faced intense opposition, with Chigwell Parish Council and a petition signed by 37 people ‘strongly objecting’ to the plans.

The new building would “decimate the character of Stradbroke Drive,” said one neighbour to the site.

“Other similar applications will follow spoiling the excellent ambience of this drive.”

Despite the drive already featuring a number of large homes, other neighbours criticise the size of the proposed two-storey building.

One person living in Stradbroke Drive said: “Five large multi-occupancy property in a road that has only ever had single family residences will open a floodgate to developers, to put in applications for other similar multi-occupancy flats which would completely change the look, feel, tone of a quiet family residential street.”

Others fear that more flats will be built if the application is approved by councillors.

A person living in nearby Glenside said it “will be the beginning of the end for this once sought after location and will cause a tidal wave of destruction and devaluation”.

Despite the level of opposition, council officers have so far given their backing for the plans, writing that “the spacious flats, with ample parking provision… would not alter the character of the wider area to an extent that would justify refusal.”