NEW flats could still be built in Halstead after an appeal was lodged, much to the displeasure of residents.

Greenfields Community Housing proposed to build seven one-bedroom flats and six two-bedroom flats on the site of two garage blocks and an open grassed area in the Tythings in June last year.

But the proposal was refused by Braintree Council, which ruled it was out of character with the area and would see residents suffer a loss of privacy.

Eight objections were submitted to Braintree Council, while Halstead Town Council also voted to object to the plans.

Rebecca Day, 23, of The Tythings, has lived on the road for almost six years and opposed the original application.

She said: “I was surprised to receive the letter, all the reasons we gave against the first application are still valid.

“Parking is already quite an issue, it will only get worse. Not everyone has spaces so everyone parks on the road. It is not unusual to come home and someone is parked outside our house, so we have to park down the road and walk back.

“I never thought of a loss of privacy when I first objected, but it is definitely an issue.

“I also objected because of a loss of sunlight.

We have quite a few issues with cold and damp already, if you build flats there we will have no light come into our home at all, just making the damp issues worse.

“They are building on every green space in the town, and you would think they could leave this little one here?”

A Greenfields spokesman said: “We are committed to helping to fulfil the growing need for good quality, affordable housing in the Braintree District.

“The Tythings site offers the opportunity to redevelop a garage area and provide 13 new affordable homes that meet the local need and complement the local environment.”