A HOUSING developer has been urged to communicate more effectively with residents after submitting a revised application for 183 new homes.

Bloor Homes originally applied for outline permission for 292 homes of Oak Road, which was granted.

More than 100 were effectively sold to David Wilson Homes to build.

Bloor Homes returned with detailed plans for 183 more and three representatives accepted an invitation to a Halstead Town Council meeting to hear from residents.

As part of the new design, Bloor Homes insists it has refined the street layout and enhanced the landscaping along the A131 in a bid to ease concerns raised about the initial application.

During the meeting, residents and councillors asked representatives from the developer to keep in close contact with those who will be affected by building work.

Resident Adam Woodcock hoped this development could be built without some of the complications with others in the area.

He said: “There are numerous concerns that would perhaps be alleviated if Bloor Homes set up a liaison group for residents.

“A lot of complications that have occurred in the last two months and grievances raised are about construction management plans not being adhered to, deliveries come at 7.30am in the morning and explicit language used on site by sub contractors.

“All of these things anger residents. The rules are there to be adhered to but frequently they are not upheld or respected.”

Mayor Shirley Diver added: “I do think you have to communicate with the residents living there at the moment. It is very important you do keep them informed and they aren’t just hearing snippets of information from other people. It’s not fair on them and you won’t be doing yourselves any favours either.”

A spokesman for Bloor Homes confirmed the developer would take on board the suggestions put forward during the meeting.

He said: “We have got three representatives from Bloor Homes who will have heard exactly what you have had to say and will be taking that back with them to see what can be done about it.

“In the meantime, we have got a communication group in place that are here to handle that sort of information.”