PLANS for 77 new homes on the edge of Brightlingsea have been unveiled.

Hopkins Homes wants to build a housing estate on farmland off Robinson Road.

The proposals consist of 17 twobedroom, 39 three-bedroom and 21 four-bedroom homes. A total of 15 will be affordable properties.

A second wave of development could include 65 to 70 more homes.

Brightlingsea mayor Ian Block said: “Everything Hopkins Homes has done it has passed through us first to get our views.

“We agreed some time ago to take our portion of new housing in Brightlingsea and this was one of the sites we picked.

“People are worried about whether the infrastructure, particularly roads and schools, can take this development, but I believe it can.” Wildlife, including grass snakes and slowworms, will be moved to the edge of the new development.

An area of open space is also included in the overall vision for the site.

If Tendring Council approves the application, building work could start in November, with the first homes completed by the end of 2015.

In its design and access statement, Suffolk-based Hopkins Homes said: “Looking at the economics of the development, the scheme provides affordable housing and new public open space as a development cost.

“These additional elements of infrastructure could not otherwise be provided and paid for by Hopkins Homes without the free market dwellings, which are sold on the open market.

“The financial implications to the developer are finely balanced, but seek to ensure quality is not sacrificed to save cost.”

Brightlingsea Town Council’s planning committee will discuss the plans on Thursday, but Tendring Council will have the final say on the application.