AN 85-home scheme which could jeopardise the green open space between two villages has been unanimously opposed by councillors.

The properties are being proposed on land to the west of Edenside, off Bloomfield Avenue, in Frinton.

Frinton and Walton town councillors voted against the outline application from the Burghes Estate and hope Tendring Council’s planning committee will follow back them.

Twenty-five of the detached and semi-detached properties are earmarked for social housing with a total of 200 new car parking spaces.

A blanket 20mph speed limit is also being mooted.

But while the developers have stated the need to retain a gap between Frinton and Kirby-le-Soken, councillors fear it will shrink.

Paul Clifton said: “I think they have tried to be quite clever here and keep a strategic distance between this development and Kirby.

“However, I disagree and think there is infringement on the green gap.”

Delyth Miles agreed, adding: “It’s gross overdevelopment in Kirby Cross.

“We need councillors really opposing this on the planning committee.”

Gazette:

Too close? - a view of the Bloomfield Avenue development from above

Access to the site is from Bloomfield Avenue, which town mayor Robert Bucke called “totally inadequate”.

There have so far been five objections to the scheme.

A shortage of doctors, increased traffic and it being wrong to build on arable land were all given as reasons to object to the proposals.

One resident said: “The entrance to Bloomfield Avenue is a dangerous bend and we know of two incidents where cars have lost it on the bend.

“One injured a motorcyclist whose life was ruined and another demolished part of a garage on the corner.”

A Kirby resident added: “The proposed homes are in addition to two major developments already approved either side of Kirby-le-Soken, as well as another 200-plus proposed at the Martello site in Walton.

“Infrastructure needs updating now, let alone with a 100 per cent increase in the population.”