MOUNTING concerns over a lack of school places, doctors surgeries and facilities to serve more than 1,000 homes mooted for the Manningtree and surrounding area could be officially lodged.

Manningtree Town Council wants to call on Tendring Council and Babergh District Council to carefully consider planning applications for their impact on the community.

Residents and councillors have spoken out against multiple new estates set for land in Brantham and Lawford saying the influx of people to the area would be too great for the current facilities to accomodate.

Currently unofficial plans include 300 homes in Brantham, up to 500 homes off Long Road in Lawford and a possible 360 homes off Bromley Road.

A new 150 home estate has been given permission for land off Cox's Hill in Lawford with work set to start this year.

Speaking at the latest Manningtree Town Council meeting, councillor Mark Morsley suggested making representations to the district councils about the "adverse impact" the multiple developments would have on the area.

Councillors agreed they wanted to take the matter further and put forward their concerns when formal planning applications are put forward and deferred the issue to next month's full town council meeting on February 19.