CAMPAIGNERS calling for a rethink over plans to build thousands of homes on fields in the north of Colchester have collected more than 1,000 letters of support.

The Love Myland group, set up by Nayland Road residents David and Catherine Clouston, has attracted huge support in only a month.

The group’s supporters want Colchester Council to reduce its plans to build 2,200 homes and community facilities on 100 hectares of fields, off Nayland Road.

Catherine Clouston said she had more than 1,000 petition sheets signed by people in support of the campaign, while fellow campaigner Jill Brunning has around 140 further copies.

She said: “I’ve got 1,009 forms sitting on my kitchen table – 1,000 was what we were aiming for, and we’ve got it.”

Mrs Clouston said they were now hoping to hand the letters to Colchester Council ahead of the elections on May 6.

Campaigners are also talking to legal experts to find out what changes are possible.

Plans to build the homes on the land were agreed in 2008, and some detail was set out in the North Colchester Growth Area supplementary planning document earlier this year.

Campaigners want this document scrapped and replaced with an “area action plan”, under which an independent inspector would look at development proposals.

Mrs Clouston added she wanted to thank fellow campaigners Mrs Brunning, Paul Rickwood and Danny Caffin for their efforts in drumming up support.

She said: “This has been a fantastic vehicle for talking to people.

“The council has been fantastic in ticking all its boxes.

“We can’t fault it on its procedures, but just being out there getting people signed up, people don’t know that this was happening.

“Now people do, and it’s fantastic. They’re saying, are we sure we want this?”