MAJOR concerns have been raised about employment and transport at a proposed new town between Colchester and Braintree - which could end up being the size of Bury St Edmunds.

During a mammoth five-hour meeting, councillors and concerned residents scrutinised Colchester Council’s draft Local Plan which governs which areas across the borough can be developed for housing and employment over the next 16 years.

More than 900 homes must be built in Colchester each year for the council to meet housing targets.

New towns on Colchester’s borders with Braintree and Tendring would see 2,500 homes each built within the plan period - however the western settlement known as West Tey could eventually rise to 16,858 while the eastern could end up as big as 6,600 homes.

Members backed the idea of garden communities, but said they were concerned at developing the two new homes simultaneously, employment opportunities at West Tey and transport links before upgrades on the A12 and the A120 were confirmed.

Councillors narrowly voted to begin an extended eight week consultation period on the draft plan, but want more details from officers on the West Tey proposal before the plan is sent off to be ratified by a Government planning inspector.

Stalwart councillor John Jowers (Con) said: “As a concept garden communities are the only way for us.

“I have no major issues with the Tendring site as long as the original proposals, which saw development south of the A133, is changed.

“But the risk of doing both at once, at a cost of half a billion seems absolutely folly.

“I would rather see the smaller one started but to then start looking at one the size of Bury St Edmunds?

“We should phase it, start at one, follow with the other, mitigate the risk.

“I think the risk on this is far too big and we need to know more about West Tey.”

Lewis Barber (Con) said he would have been happy to delay the consultation to find out more about West Tey, because the council’s existing Local Plan would stop opportunistic housing applications on unsuitable sites.

He said: “None of my fears about the garden villages have been allayed.

“Until I see a clearer strategy I am not comfortable proceeding.

“The fact we have a valid local plan means I can take this on its merits.”

Marks Tey Parish Council chairman Allan Walker called for residents to be consulted further.

He said: “We need community engagement beyond the consultation.

“The planning must be done now in conjunction with the plans for A12 and A120.

“Thousand of residents have been worrying for a further year.

“This has lead to fertile ground for protests groups but no debates on bigger issues.

“People think it is policy not to involve people.

“This is a cross party issue which members should press for and lead on.

“Muting concerns will increase the risk of failure but members can do something about it.”

Council leader Paul Smith (Lib Dem) said the garden villages, where infrastructure will be delivered before homes, was the best way to take on development.

He said: “They are the way we can cure the problems of development in the past where roads and schools were not delivered.

“The only way we can address the numbers of people on our housing waiting list is to ensure sufficient land is made available.”