COLCHESTER MP Sir Bob Russell has labelled Tendring's plans to build up to 3,000 homes on the town’s doorstep as a “planning outrage”.

The veteran MP also called on Colchester Council to get tough and “refuse to play ball” with Tendring.

The controversial plans have been put forward by Tendring District Council as part of its draft local plan, which sets out where homes can be built for the next 20 years.

Sir Bob has launched a scathing attack on Tendring’s attempts to “plonk a significant part of its housing on Colchester’s doorstep”.

He said: “It is a planning outrage and local government at its worst. It is obvious a large proportion, if not all, these new properties will look to Colchester for their services.

“Tendring will take all the new homes bonus money, but Colchester will pick up the consequences and none of the financial benefit.

“The message should be clear to Tendring, ‘we are not going to play ball with your desire to inflict such a huge housing development on our doorstep’.”

Sir Bob did acknowledge developers will aim to build on the remaining land, in Colchester’s boundary, if Tendring’s plans are ratified.