HUNDREDS of campaigners are celebrating after a major housing development was refused in Lawford.

Plans to build 110 homes on land off Grange Road were turned down by Tendring Council.

A total of 280 objections were lodged with concerns over the impact on traffic and the area’s lack of infrastructure to cope with more homes.

John Hall, of Grange Road said: “It is the right decision because Lawford Tye Field is the wrong place to build houses.”

He said more than 1,200 homes have already been agreed and the community needs time to take on what will be a 40 per cent increase in housing.

He said: “That is a massive increase – the local roads can’t cope with the increase in traffic and no one understands the failure of Essex County Council Highways to address this.

“In addition to the clear reasons for refusal, there are many amazing archaeological finds from the Neolithic monument on the land – thousands of flint scrapers and arrowheads, grooved earthenware and pot boilers, bone fragments and tools.

“The Gladman plans would damage the open setting of this 4000-year-old henge, changing the rural landscape into an urban housing estate.

“Many local people and their dogs enjoy walking here taking in the air, the views, the nature and the history. Long may they do so.

“Well done Tendring Council and the local people who submitted individual letters of objection.”

Another campaigner, who was pleased the application was refused, is seven-year-old Alanna Harty.

Alanna, of Grange Road, said she is happy she will be able to continue cycling safely in Grange Road.

Tendring Council refused the application on the grounds it considered the development to be unsustainable and contrary to the development plan.

It also said “section 106” planning obligation had not been completed to secure the relevant contributions to education, healthcare, public open space and affordable housing.

Gladman Developments Limited has been contacted for comment.