A PETITION with 1,000 names has been collected to stop two areas on the outskirts of Clacton becoming a “dumping ground” for new homes.

District councillors Harry and Sue Shearing found residents in Bockings Elm, Clacton, and Sladbury’s Lane, Holland-on-Sea, do not want the massive developments planned for their area.

The couple collected the signatures in a few days. They hope to collate more names, before handing the document to Tendring Council chief executive, Ian Davidson, to ask for further public consultation and a rethink on the plans.

Mr Shearing said: “Everyone feels the amount of housing the Tories are insisting on is particularly wrong.

“We really need to rethink the local development framework altogether.”

Mr Shearing said Bockings Elm was set to get 3,100 new homes, but nothing had been done to address infrastructure, such as roads, the provision of health services and community centres.

A further 900 have been planned for Sladburys Lane, in Holland-on-Sea.

Mr Shearing said the public should be allowed a greater say on the developments.

He said: “We won’t stop collecting the names until the council abandons the framework and talks to the people about the development plans and where they should be.

“They should be spread across the area.

“Bockings Elm and Sladburys Lane should not be used as a dumping ground.”

Harry Shearing is standing for the Lib Dems in the local elections in the Bockings Elm ward. Sigried Challinor (Con), Trevor Durham (Con), James Osben and Ray Rogers (both Lab), and Brian Whitson (Lib) are also contesting the two seats.

Sue Shearing is standing for the Lib Dems in the Peter Bruff ward. Arthur Mitchell (Con), Michael Harper (Lib), Gwen Mitchell (Con), Bill Prosser (Lab) and Alan Roebuck (Lab) are also contesting the ward’s two seats.