PLANS to build almost 100 homes on a factory site have been withdrawn.

Sato UK in Valley Road, Dovercourt, had wanted to sell the site with outline permission for 96 homes.

However the company has now withdrawn the plans, which were criticised by Harwich Town Council as they feared it would result in industrial land being lost.

The company had wanted to move to a new smaller site on Stanton Europark site and build its own factory.

The Standard attempted to contact Sato UK’s agents, Collins & Coward, but received no response.

So far no reason has been given for the withdrawal of the application or whether it will affect the move.