PLANS to build six flats on scrubland in Colchester have been labelled “bizarre” and “greedy”.

Hornchurch Construction submitted an application to build the apartments, across two blocks, on land at the junction of Bergholt Road and Tufnell Way.

Mile End councillor Martin Goss believes the plans would constitute over-development .

He said: “This simply needs to be rejected – it doesn’t stack up in planning terms.

“Originally on that land were two detached houses, so if something has to be built there then surely that should be it.

“The plans are bizarre and greedy and it looks as if the developer is trying to build the most amount of dwellings possible.”

He added: “Plans like this were put in, in 2014, then withdrawn.

“This has just been resubmitted with a couple of tweaks.

“There are not enough car parking spaces allocated – just one per flat.

“There is going to be more cars than that and the roads close to the area are double yellow lined.

“The new Braiswick Primary School is nearby, which is only going to get fuller, and this should be moved straight back to the rejected pile.”

The proposal has attracted numerous objections from residents and Mr Goss’ fellow Mile End councillors Dominic Graham and Ben Locker.

Mr Goss has called-in the plans which means they will have to go before Colchester Council’s planning committee.

John Smith of Hornchurch Construction said the site had initially been earmarked for six flats when the Braiswick Consortium – made up of Taylor Wimpey and Permisson Homes -were building the new estate.

He said: “We have spent a small fortune on design fees because we have re-done it four times to make sure it fits in with the area and is sympathetic.

“On both sides of the road there are blocks of flats which are less in keeping than what we want to do.

“We have been discussing the development with the planning officers and believe it meets all the criteria.

“It is a good design and I think the planners will be happy with it.”