A CONTROVERSIAL planning proposal for 30 houses in Great Totham has been presented to Maldon District Council.

Two previous applications on the land, which was the site of a former gravel pit in the south of Great Totham, have been rejected.

A previous application proposed the construction of an initial 50 homes, to be expanded to 70 dwellings, before it was withdrawn by the applicant.

Residents are concerned that granting planning permission for this proposal of 30 homes will allow future larger developments, such as the initial proposal for the land.

David Bruce, who lives in Seagers, said: “Granting planning approval for one house, let alone 30, would open the door for extension of the development of all Mill Field.”

There have also been concerns expressed about the ability of the surrounding infrastructure to cope with the added pressure of 30 new homes.

John Hunt, of Millways, said that a development of this size was more than the village could sustain: “The infrastructure will not support it and our village roads will not be able to cope.”

Residents have also expressed environmental concerns over the proposal.

A ground report carried out on the land stated that the ground is highly contaminated and may pose a health and safety risk.

The former gravel pit is also home to a large amount of wildlife.

Debbie Graves, of Millways, said: “My husband and I have been monitoring the wildlife on this site since we moved to Millways in 2001.

“We have identified over 80 species of birds, including the increasingly rare turtle dove, as well as the linnet, cuckoo and skylark, all Priority One species in the Essex Biodiversity Action Plan.”

Debbie found that the site was home to more than ten species of mammal, six species of reptile and 20 species of butterfly.