MALDON and Burnham could be shunned by prospective businesses if new proposals to build thousands of homes and business space in South Woodham Ferrers are approved, it is feared.

Chelmsford City Council is consulting on its local plan, which includes two proposals to develop an area north of South Woodham Ferrers.

One option includes building 2,000 new homes and providing 2,900 sq m of employment and food retail sites.

Maldon District Council has allocated 3.4 hectares of employment land in Burnham under the Local Development Plan and has responded to the consultation by calling for joint work to be carried out to assess the impact on the district.

The council’s planning and licensing committee heard the plans could have implications on infrastructure such as schools, healthcare, community and leisure facilities.

Wendy Stamp, Burnham councillor, said: “If they are going to build all that office space and retail units at South Woodham, people are not going to want to come that bit further out to Burnham – especially if we are having all the space for business premises and office space in Burnham.

“There is going to be so much office space.

“Why are people going to drive an extra 11 miles and get stuck on our roads for the same thing?

“It is not just in Burnham. It is going to have an impact in Maldon as they are promoting a number of retails spaces like Lidl.”

Burnham resident Ian Sisterson, who worked on the Burnham Neighbourhood Plan, said: “It is clear to me that there is a need for more dialogue between the various councils.

“The plans for South Woodham and Rettendon could have a major impact on our own neighbourhood plan. The big thing I am concerned about is the infrastructure during the construction of the development.

“There is only one road in and it will have a major impact on commuters coming from Burnham.”

Leader of Maldon District Council, Miriam Lewis, said the two councils were working together to assess the impact of the plan.

She said: “I had a discussion with Chelmsford City Council leader Roy Whitehead and asked him what is going on.

“We were concerned about the impact on our retail offer within the town centre.

“All change can bring positives. It is up to councillors to be well read and ahead of the game and make sure they really protect their area.”