CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new housing estate are set to be decided at appeal.

The bid for 26 homes off Armoury Road, West Bergholt, was thrown out by Colchester Council’s planning committee last summer.

The outline plans had been recommended for approval by Colchester Council officers.

This caused outrage among residents, who managed to gather 800 names to a petition rallying against the plans.

READ MORE: Residents rage as 26-home plans remain on the table

The plans were outside the boundaries of both West Bergholt’s neighbourhood plan and Colchester’s emerging Local Plan.

But the scheme was tipped for approval after officers said the site had long remained unused and unsuitable for agricultural use.

Campaigners were worried approving the scheme could set a “dangerous precedent” for future developments.

Now an appeal has been lodged by the applicant.

The appeal will be decided by a planning inspector by written representation.