CONTROVERSIAL bids for 140 homes and a new 72-bed care home in a village have been opposed by a parish council.

Gladman Developments has submitted outline proposals for the homes on land east of Runsell View and north of Maldon Road in Danbury.

Oakland Primecare has also submitted proposals for the care home on land south west of Maldon Road.

A special meeting was held by Danbury Parish Council last week to discuss both applications.

The council has now agreed to oppose the bids.

A spokesman for the council said: “The parish council held the meeting after the public expressed their concerns and we are opposed to both developments going forward to the city council who will make the final decision.”

Last week the Standard revealed both Maldon District Council and NHS England had raised issues with the 140-home proposal.

NHS England said the Beacon Health Group – which runs Danbury Medical Centre and Mountbatten House Surgery in the village – would not have “sufficient capacity” to expand as a result of the homes.

However the scheme is not large enough to require a specific Section 106 planning obligation.

Any money would have to be generated from a community infrastructure levy.

Maldon District Council said the scheme would “introduce unwelcome domestic activity” to the area.

Mark Scofield, chairman of Hands Off Danbury group, said: “We are encouraged by Miss Cheung’s response on behalf of Maldon District Council and believe that this truly reflects the potential damage that would accrue were this unsustainable development to be permitted.”