RESIDENTS are fearing 60 more homes in Silver End will be too much to bear.

Three sites have already been recommended for housing development in the village as part of the Local Plan, and Braintree Council is satisfied 160 homes between them is enough to meet demand.

The houses could be built at the former Crittall Windows factory site, land to the west of Boars Tye Road and the old car park in Sheepcotes Lane.

M Scott Properties in Colchester is holding a public consultation over a fourth site, east of Boars Tye Road, for 60 homes.

Residents received notice of the public exhibition through the post regarding the proposals, which were not submitted for consideration in the Local Plan.

James Abbott, councillor for Silver End, said: "Everyone I have spoken to were not in favour of it and I'm certainly not.

"We have got brownfield sites in the village we want to see developed but we certainly don't want this site.

"It is isolated and highly unsustainable, it doesn't tick any boxes, and there is an issue of services, there's no more room in the GP surgery and schools."

Residents said the three proposed sites are enough.

David Utley, from Grooms Lane, said: "This village has not got the resources for any more homes.

"The infrastructure in the village would never be able to accommodate any more houses. You only have to look at the state of the local surgeries."

Paula Readman, from Grooms Lane, said: "I think if any more houses are going built in the village it should be on the old factory site.

"The site has lain to waste for far too long and is within the original grounds of the village.

"There has been more than enough new houses been built within the village, it causes problems with placements in the school and the doctors."

The exhibition is being held on Monday, June 27 at Silver End Village Hall between 3pm and 7pm.

Richard Martin, land manager at M Scott Properties, said: "We are at the early stages for plans for 60 homes in a range of sizes, we are in ongoing dialogue with the parish council.

"The burden is on us to show that whatever impact we create we will be able to mitigate it and overcome it.

"We have been for an initial meeting with the parish council and will hopefully get more of an opinion later."

Plans can be viewed at www.silverend.mscott.co.uk until July 12.