Fears have been raised that Braintree could become connected to Cressing if a new DIY superstore is built on the outskirts of town.

Plans have been submitted to Braintree Council to build a huge warehouse, outdoor garden centre, builders yard and 255 parking spaces on land south of Millennium Way near Galleys Corner roundabout.

DIY retailer B&Q hopes to close its store at the nearby Braintree Retail Park and relocate to the 5,652sq metre warehouse, where it will sell twice the amount of products.

Worries that Braintree could become an urban sprawl and link to nearby villages have been aired by Cressing and Black Notley Parish Council and the Braintree and Bocking Civic Society.

Anton Liebscher, chairman of Cressing Parish Council, said was concerned that Cressing’s identity would be lost if it just became an extension to Braintree.

He said: “If you look at the policies that Braintree District Council has for development on that area where B&Q wants to build, they are quite restrictive because the two conurbations shouldn’t merge."

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.