The amount of housebuilding the county could be forced to accommodate over the next 15 years continues to be resisted by Essex County Council.

The county's executive board has agreed to tell the Government that it strongly objects to the new regional housing plans.

The council fears the targets could mean at least 5,240 new homes every year being imposed on Essex up to 2016 and beyond.

Councillors pointed out that community infrastructure has not kept pace with current demands, and that public services are under severe pressure.

"The Government's housing proposals would strongly exacerbate these existing problems and reduce the quality of life in the Essex area," stressed a report to the board.

In addition, the Government's target of 60 per cent of new housing being located on brownfield - previously used - sites, would be very difficult to achieve in Essex, it points out.

The level of housing envisaged by the Government could only be achieved by "significant intrusion" into the countryside and could compromise the Green Belt, it adds.

Cabinet member for strategic planning and transportation, Cllr Ron Williams, said: "The additional houses being built place even more strain on services which do not expand at the same rate. We are justified in giving a very clear signal that we cannot go on at this rate of increase for ever."

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, Cllr Ian Gale, said later: "Tens of thousands of houses have been built in Essex over the last few years and the Government wants us to build thousands more.

"Of course we need to make sure that people who work in Essex are not priced out of the market and the county has planned for this.

"But we cannot continue building at this rate forever. Our infrastructure and transport links cannot cope.

"We must protect the Essex countryside and tell the Government to think again."

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