CAMPAIGNERS have hit out after controversial plans for a new 100 home estate in West Mersea were recommended for approval.

Mersea Homes’ bid to build 100 properties off Dawes Lane will be considered by the planning committee next week.

Officers have recommended the plans, which include 30 per cent affordable homes, for approval.

The application is one of three major new housing estates planned for the island with City & Country’s bid to build 100 new homes at Brierley Paddocks already approved and Gladman Developments seeking permission to build 99 homes off Colchester Road.

The Dawes Lane application has been referred to the planning committee as more than 500 objections have been submitted by residents.

John Akker represents the Stop350 campaign group which has been warning against overdevelopment of the island.

He said: “Residents will be concerned this meeting is going ahead. After the inspector found comprehensive issues with the Local Plan and required the council to consider the plan’s future there was an opportunity to defer section two of the plan, of which Mersea is a big part.

“We have already written to the borough councillors, as they are currently considering what to do next on the Local Plan, to urge them to consider all available options and make informed choices, having in mind the positives and negatives of each option. These choices should not be taken until all the options are considered.

“There needs to be a section one and section two strategy in place before these and other applications which are in section two are considered.

“There has been a huge delay on the Local Plan and Mersea is being compromised because the vast amount of objections, approaching 1,400, submitted to Mersea’s proposals in the plan, have never been reviewed by the inspector.”

Residents had been hoping to organise a protest, however, with meetings going virtual due to the coronavirus crisis, this will not be possible.

Mr Akker said: “There are major concerns from residents the meeting is going ahead despite Covid and it will be decided via a virtual meeting which residents will not be able to attend in person.”