TENDRING is seeing a “frenzy” of housing development plans that are difficult to refuse, a concerned councillor has claimed.

Jeff Bray, of Ukip, who is on Tendring Council’s Local Plan committee, admitted the issue of housing was “emotive”.

“On the one hand we must, of course, ensure that enough new homes are built to provide for future generations,” he said.

“We currently find ourselves with what feels like a frenzy of large development applications that national legislation makes very difficult to refuse because we lack an up-to-date Local Plan policy.

Mr Bray is a ward councillor for Little Clacton, where there are plans for 136 homes, and Weeley, which is earmarked for 1,100 homes.

Managing director of Lawford's Rose Builders Steven Rose said: “Without a local plan, there are no definitive locations being prescribed by Tendring Council.

“Given the market demand and the social requirement for new housing, then there needs to be a supply of housing.

“Particularly in the Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford area, there has been no new housing since Lawford Dale."