Residents should not feel concerned about the number of planning applications being made for large developments in the town, a town councillor has reassured.

A number of applications have gone in for both brown and green field sites around the town, including for 104 houses in Central Park, off Colchester Road, up to 100 houses in Conies Field, an unspecified amount for Ravens Avenue and up to 30 for Balls Chase.

A planning application has been submitted to convert the boiler house in Factory Lane West into 26 flats and to knock down the Harrison Works in Factory Lane West with the possibility of the land being turned into houses.

Speaking after Monday’s town council meeting, in which the latest planning applications were discussed, councillor Shirley Diver said that residents should not be too concerned.

“Planning applications are coming in quite quickly now.

“The town council has been inundated with requests, but this is happening across the country.

“The government wants more housing and they need to provide it.

“There was nothing that was discussed at the council meeting which was a surprise.”

When asked about concerns people are having that all spare land in Halstead will be converted into housing, she said: “I don’t think it will.

“That won’t happen at all.

“We are very conscious of where the plans are and whether they fit in with the town.”

Mr Pike said: “A lot of people are quite nervous about these new developments.

“A few people have asked me to look into the Balls Chase one.

“I don’t get too involved in planning that much but I do get the reports from the officers about the various planning applications.

“I am not surprised that the planning application has gone in for Central Park - it is a pleasant area and I can’t see it not going through.

“I understand there are concerns from people that all the green space in Halstead is going to be turned into houses.

“However, there needs to be more housing for people.

“Without more housing, we are going to get the same problems we have now.

“It gets more and more difficult.”