PLANS to build more than 350 homes in Stanway have been approved by Colchester Council, despite concerns about traffic.

The homes will be built on land north of Wyvern Farm, in London Road.

Residents raised concerns about additional traffic on the roundabout next to the site, which is already congested.

Part of the roundabout will be widened in a bid to ease congestion.

Essex County Council will pay for most of the work, but developer Persimmon Homes will contribute £25,000.

Peter Chillingworth, borough councillor for Great Tey, asked Colchester Council planning offiers if a condition could be added stating the work must be completed before people moved into the new development.

He was told it would not be possible because Essex County Council will be providing some of the money.

There are two entrances to the new development on London Road, and a third on the other side which will just be for buses.

Although most councillors expressed general approval of the scheme, they raised several areas of concern.

John Manning, councillor for Wivenhoe Cross, suggested a crossing to encourage children to walk to school.

However, the money the developer has agreed to pay for infrastructure improvements in the area has already been allocated.

The developer will contribute £765,000 to open space, sport and recreational facilitates in the borough, £1,163,464 to primary education and £1,178,321 to secondary.

It will spend £465,000 on a new community building, give £41,083 to public transport in the area and provide £38,120 towards healthcare. Affordable homes will make up 20 per cent of the development, and these will be built in the first and third phases.

The application was approved with a number of additional conditions added, including the installation of dog waste bins.