COUNCILLORS have joined residents in objecting to the latest plans for development work at a railway station saying further concessions must be made by Greater Anglia.

Greater Anglia submitted a fresh design and access statement earlier this month detailing plans to move the proposed car park away from nearby flats by 2.4 metres.

But Witham's planning committee have backed residents who say the proposed distance is not far enough from the flats and have suggested it should be moved back an additional 2.6 metres to five metres.

Minutes from a planning meeting also show councillors don't believe there is enough evidence to show the current car park is at maximum capacity.

Concerns over the loss of three on-street parking bays, a lack of junction improvements and how the town would not cope with more traffic at peak times as a result of more parking spaces were also raised.

It was also suggested a one-way entrance and exit system should be considered.

Paul Oxley, Greater Anglia’s public affairs manager, said: "We have consulted with all relevant parties during this process and listened carefully to their views, making changes to the design of the new car park where we can.

"There is already a huge and growing demand for car parking at Witham station, so we do need to extend the capacity of the car park to prevent the surrounding streets becoming clogged with on-street parking that adversely affects residents.

"We are committed to investing in our stations to improve facilities for customers and meet the increased demand of a growing population for rail travel in this area."

Braintree District Council's planning committee will have the final say on whether the plans go ahead.