Nearly 200 lorries and cars could be stored in the countryside in a proposed logistics facility near Great Hallingbury.

An open logistics facility, where storage containers would be decanted from large vehicles onto smaller ones, has been proposed in Tilekiln Green.

But the plans have received 229 representations from residents, raising concerns over increased traffic and pollution, highway safety, climate change and loss of local wildlife and green spaces.

A similar scheme was turned down by the committee last year over potential harm to the countryside, listed buildings and aerodrome safety, according to a report.

The report continues to say the lease on the applicant’s current logistics facility in Stansted Airport expires this year.

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A section read: "Wren kitchens are an existing employer in Uttlesford and if approved this application would result in a major employer staying in the district.

"They have actively been looking for a suitable site in the district for the last three years. There is a shortage of suitable commercial employment land in the district.”

The planning committee in Uttlesford District Council is set to meet next week (Wednesday, February 8) to decide on the proposals by Wren Kitchens, which would have enough space of 80 heavy goods vehicles and 107 lorries and cars.

Other consultees, including the National Trust, Flitch Way Action Group and Little Hallingbury, Great Hallingbury and Takeley parish councils, have also objected.

One neighbour said in their objection: "I object to this proposal in the strongest possible terms.

"Great Hallingbury is a historic village and home to a thriving rural community to whom the development proposed by Wren Kitchens would be highly detrimental and dangerous, not to mention incompatible with our way of life."

Another said: "The proposed development for a large transport operation that is currently operating from a location that is designed for businesses and by moving will generate no new jobs and no new business opportunities.

"The proposed development is for that business to move to an area that is part of a small village community and out of character with the local area, that will destroy an area designated as a priority habitat with protected species, which will impact many local residents in the vicinity and which is to be situated on a local road."

Officers have recommended the scheme for approval, saying the benefits of the development outweigh its impacts.

The five hectare site is currently undeveloped grassland east of the M11 motorway. According to the report, roughly three hectares would be developed into hard standing, with the rest left as  open land or woodland. New trees are proposed to be planted.

The site is also located in the countryside protection zone, an area of land intended to shield Uttlesford’s small towns and villages from Stansted Airport.

According to Uttlesford District Council, the countryside protection zone (CPZ) aims to maintain a belt of open green countryside around the airport, which "will not be eroded by coalescing development", and means there is a "strict control" on new development.