RESIDENTS living near land earmarked to become huge new housing estates say they feel powerless against developers.

In Lawford, building has already started on a 150-home estate, but there are also plans for 360 homes on fields close by and up to 300 on another site.

On top of that, there are plans for up to 300 homes just over the border in Brantham, which residents said would have an impact on the area.

Villagers set up a group called Lawford Choice to voice their concerns.

Member Penny Myers said: “It is overdevelopment. Using Tendring’s own average calculation of 2.2 people per household, the population will increase in excess of 2,600 people.

“A meeting was arranged to discuss the Lawford Green development and although there was plenty of opportunity to raise concerns, it did seem that our concerns made no difference.

 “We feel powerless. The residents of Long Road, Milton Road and Bromley Road, could wake up one morning to find themselves living on the edge of a 660-house estate."