PLANS for three new settlements totalling tens of thousands of new homes are “unjustified and unsound”, according to the inspector leading the inquiry.

Concluding his letter to the three authorities involved in the scheme, Roger Clews said further work is needed before the garden communities could be considered a viable option for addressing the housing need in north Essex.

He said: “I consider that the garden community proposals contained in the plan are not adequately justified and have not been shown to have a reasonable prospect of being viably developed.

“As submitted, they are therefore unsound.

“This is not to say that garden communities may not have a role to play in meeting development needs in north Essex.

"I recognise that substantial time, effort and resources have already been invested in developing the garden community proposals, not only by the authorities, but also by the Government, landowners, potential developers, infrastructure providers and others.”

Mr Clews put forward three potential options as a way forward.

Option one would see the garden community proposals removed from the plan while revisions are made.

Option two would involve the authorities carrying out further recommended work on the plan before moving to the next stage.

A third option involves withdrawing the plan altogether and resubmitting it with the necessary improvements.