ISLANDERS want assurances allowing 200 more homes will not open the floodgates to more.

Initial Local Plan drafts earmarked 350 homes for Mersea but the numbers were reduced after pressure from opponents.

Chairman of action group STOP350 John Akker said he feared more homes will be on the way as developers on the two pieces of land submit applications.

He said: “Mersea has no confidence in the plan put forward.

“This looks like a concession but is a poison chalice which will unlock hundreds more houses.

“Going for two sites makes it inevitable there will be vastly more.

“The committee should know the two developers are acting on the basis they will have a total of 305 homes not 200.

“You are not being honest for the people of Mersea.”

Islanders also raised concerns about the number of static homes on caravan parks being granted the opportunity to stay all year is putting more strain on infrastructure without being included in the homes quota.