A BID to build 18 homes in Tillingham will impact youngsters in the village, it is feared.

The proposal for homes on land off Vicarage Lane has been opposed by Tillingham Parish Council.

The plans state that Vicarage Lane is five metres wide, however, almost half of that is land owned by the council and used for free parking.

The parking area is used by parents of St Nicholas Primary School, Tillingham Pre School and the village’s cricket and football clubs.

Parish council chairman Robert Harvey is concerned that planning permission could have a big impact on them.

He said: “The applicant says that the County Council road near the site is five metres wide, but in actual fact what they have done is include the parking area that is owned by Tillingham Parish Council. 

“The road itself is only three metres wide, the rest of it is our parking area.

“Our main concern is that Essex County Council themselves are saying that the road is five metres wide. We have tried to correct them but they won’t change it.

“There is a lot of concern here. We can’t believe what is going on.”

He added: “When you look at who uses the parking, it is the school, the pre-school and the sports clubs, which includes the football and cricket. If we are not careful we will lose it.

“One of our councillors said if this one goes through they will resign, and I have to be honest, I might join them. This proposal is not in a town where people walk to work. We are a village, people have to travel to work.

“I would hate to see this given permission and then have 18 homes coming out onto a three metre road.”