TWO sites which could have provided 250 homes each may be rejected from the Local Plan.

Land to the east of Sudbury Road in Halstead and land adjoining the cricket ground were put forward for potential housing.

The site was rejected in May as councillors felt it would have a negative impact on the environment.

Planning officers said up to 50 homes could have been completed each year.

They said: “This particular site, whilst being considered as medium landscape capacity, provides an important function in retaining the rural setting of Halstead and the separation between the very urban edge of the settlement and the very rural area around Star Stile, (and) includes a number of very narrow and protected lanes and rural style properties set in generous grounds.”

Halstead Town Council did not support the site because of its visual prominence.

Greenstead Green Parish Council has said there was poor access to the site.

Planning officers said: “Halstead is classified as a main settlement.

“Nevertheless, it has no railway connection and is therefore less well connected than the other main settlements.

“The road network is heavily congested and the Head Street junction is at capacity with little improvement possible according to the Local Plan Highways Options Assessment.”

Land between Mill Chase and Sudbury Road was also put forward for housing, but planning officers are recommending refusal as there is poor access.

Halstead Town Council had objected to the plans when they were first put forward for consideration.