RESIDENTS are urged to have their say on plans to build close to 100 homes in a village.

Tollesbury Parish Council released information about a consultation with Gladman, the developer hoping to build on a section of land near Mell Road.

The proposal includes up to 99 houses, of which up to 40 per cent would be affordable.

Parish council chairman and Neighbourhood Plan committee chairman Simon Plater urged residents to voice their opinions as strongly as possible.

Mr Plater said: “Both groups have been aware of the possibility of some form of development proposal for land to the south and west of the village for approximately two-and-a-half months.

“We have not been approached by the developer so had no detail of any sort to share.

“The committee has discussed the potential of any development in this location with our planning consultation pending receiving any detail.

“Now Gladman released a consultation document with considerable detail to the village for development of 99 houses.

“We strongly recommend the village responds to the consultation as fully as possible.”

Witham MP Priti Patel voiced her concerns, saying the scale of the development was “dangerous”.

She said: “Tollesbury has experienced housing growth previously and with the parish council looking to develop a neighbourhood plan for the village, it is outrageous Gladman is trying to force this development through now.

“The consultation is a sham and I have seen the way they operate elsewhere, ignoring local communities and pressing ahead with proposals regardless of what people think.

“All over the Witham constituency, Gladman has been putting forward unsuitable and ill-conceived developments in our villages and on our green spaces.

“I am working with communities in Hatfield Peverel and Tiptree to oppose them and I will work with residents in Tollesbury to oppose the plans for Mell Road.

A Gladman spokesman said: “We appreciate people who live within the immediate vicinity of our housing proposals may be concerned about matters such as increased levels of road traffic, loss of views and many other topics.

“Gladman recognises its responsibility to respect the character of the village and needs of the existing community, as well as providing housing for new and existing residents.

“We are also fully committed to delivering additional benefits to Tollesbury wherever possible.

For details, visit your-views.co.uk/tollesbury.