A MUM has hit back at a developer's bid to build one house next to a 750-home estate.

Nearly 40 objections have made been formally made to Colchester Council over the proposed four-bedroom property.

It lies on the corner of Bergholt Road and Tufnell Way, Colchester, next to the entrance for the New Braiswick Park housing estate.

Developer John Smith - who is trying for the fourth time to get permission to build on the site - says he was surprised by the level of residents' opposition since his first bid five years ago.

Concerns centre over road safety and the loss of the green parcel of land the home would be built on.

Emily Skinner, whose Bergholt Road home is next to the proposed site, the family moved in two years ago.

She added: "We knew something had been put forward and rejected before but when we moved in, shortly afterwards we got a letter saying a planning application had gone to the High Court for a block of flats."

That was one of Mr Smith's failed attempts to build on the land, which he bought from developer Persimmon for £150,000.

Miss Skinner, 37, said five of the 12 windows in her home could have light blocked if his latest bid was approved.

"We have made an objection every time the developers put something in. It is quite frustrating, I feel like it just keeps coming up.

"This application is for a smaller house than one he put forward before but ultimately Bergholt Road is dangerous.

"We have seen a motorcyclist get knocked off his bike on that corner, with that house the visibility would be even worse."

Miss Skinner said the estate was the only access route to Braiswick Primary School, where her eldest daughter attends.

"Even crossing Bergholt Road is quite scary."

She added there were trees at the back of the development plot which attracted lots of wildlife, including bats.

The planning application, submitted by Mr Smith's firm Hornchurch Construction, has been called in by Mile End ward councillor Martin Goss.

His previous planning attempts for the site have included six apartments, then two and then a single house - but all were refused by Colchester Council for being "too dominant", Mr Smith said.

The plans will be scrutinised by Colchester Council's planning committee at a later date.

Myland Community Council has said the home would be "unnecessary infill" and would impair driver visibility at the junction of Bergholt Road and Tufnell Way.

Essex County Council has also objected on highways safety grounds and many residents have echoed the same concerns.