A TORY election candidate has publicly opposed to plans to build 20,000 homes in West Tey - branding the the proposal “overly-ambitious”.

Sir Bernard Jenkin, who was Harwich and North Essex’s MP and is the current Conservative candidate for the general election, voiced his opposition of the plans on his website.

Sir Bernard, who previously backed an infrastructure-led approach with public involvement in the planning process, said: “Enough time has been given for these ill-thought out plans and it is clear they are not progressing or securing public support.

“It was always an overly-ambitious proposal.

“I warned it must be taken forward through an infrastructure-first approach and with communities involved throughout in the development of the plans.

“Thus far, there has been little in the way of progress, a groundswell of local opposition and a feeling from the constituents I have spoken to that their concerns are being ignored.”

The 20,000-home development is part of a plan for three towns, dubbed garden communities, in north Essex.

The proposed towns at West Tey, east of Colchester and west of Braintree could total 43,000 homes.

Details plans for the homes could be revealed as soon as next summer.

North Essex Garden Communities Limited launched a public engagement relating to the proposed three towns last month.

The aim is to speak with residents about what they would like to see in the towns.

Sir Bernard added: “It also appears the planning inspectorate is going to rule against the plans again.

“It is now time for the councils involved to think again about this and consider much smaller, more manageable proposals, like those seen in Poundbury.”

Poundbury is an experimental new town in Dorset developed on behalf of the Duchy of Cornwall.

At present, it has 3,500 residents and adopts principles of carbon neutrality and has a unique planning and design.

Tendring, Colchester and Essex County councillors have all visited the town at Sir Bernard’s request.

David King, Colchester Borough Council portfolio holder for business and resources, said: “We always welcome the views of our local MPs, but nothing has changed in recent weeks other than that an election has been called.

“Sir Bernard, like us, must wait for the Planning Inspector’s impartial decision. Then we will know whether garden communities, including West Tey, will be approved in whole, in part or conditionally.

“At that point, the local councils can respond. Until then, we must work with the Planning Inspector and continue to provide him with the support and the evidence needed.”

He added: “What we do know is that new homes are needed – as Sir Bernard agrees.He wants it to come with infrastructure. It will. He wants a local voice to be heard; so do we. And, as countless conversations and thousands of comments to the Inspector proves, residents will be heard.

“Engagement continues. The prize is huge: to shape garden communities in a way we can’t do now with current piecemeal development; to bring the infrastructure, affordable and council housing, facilities and open space that residents need and struggle to find.”

The other Harwich and North Essex candidates known to be running for the parliamentary seat include Richard Browning-Smith (Ind), Mike Beckett (Lib Dem) and Stephen Rice (Lab).