SQUEEZING 500 new homes into a village would “stranglehold” the area and cause traffic gridlock, it has been claimed.

Tendring Farms has lodged a new application to Tendring Council asking for permission to build 500 homes on land off Long Road and Clacton Road in Mistley.

It already has permission for 300 homes.

The site has historically been a buffer between Mistley and Lawford.

Tendring district and county councillor Carlo Guglielmi said if permission was granted the homes would merge the two villages.

He said: “It’s preposterous, everyone will say this will be unbearable.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

  • Councillors Alan Coley and Carlo Guglielmi

Mr Guglielmi said: “I find it really greedy to add 200 homes to the misery the 300 would have caused.

“It is utter nonsense and I will fight it tooth and nail.

“It’s going to stranglehold the area and clog up the underpass at Manningtree Railway Station which is already stretched as it is.”

Residents have hit out at the plans on Facebook and lodged objections on Tendring Council’s planning website.

Debbie Burrows, of Oxford Road, Manningtree, said: “If the goes through along with the others that have already been passed there will be well over a 1,000 new homes built between Lawford and Mistley - that’s the size of a new town.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

  • Design of the type of homes planned for the site

Scott Enfield, who moved to Brantham from his parents home in Lawford, welcomed the extra housing.

He said: “The majority of people rejecting this are people who already have houses in the area.

“People wanting to stay close to family can’t because houses are not getting built so I am for it all to keep family and friends close.”

The plans are for 500 homes on the 17 hectare site, of which 4.4 hectares will be open space and two hectares of employment land with access from Dead Lane.

A report sent to Tendring Council said: “The architecture will reflect the character of Mistley and surrounding villages.

“Play areas and trim trails will be located in the open space and will be constructed of local, natural materials.

“The village green is approached from the north down a formal tree lined avenue.”

Tim Sargeant, chief executive of developer City and Country Homes, said the extra 200 homes would mean a better mix of housing rather than just larger properties.
He added: “The Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford area is a fantastic spot on the Essex coast and we are looking to do a high-quality development that people are going to want to buy and live in. 
“I understand the development is only 24 homes per hectare, which is a low density scheme.
“And in terms of concerns about traffic, we have employed highways engineers who have modelled the traffic and from discussions with Essex County Council, I don’t think there are any problems there.”