VILLAGERS are nervously awaiting a decision which could see seven houses built on a site used for parking.

Colchester Council’s housing management company, Colchester Borough Homes, has applied to build the social housing on land to the west of Cross Cottages, off Cooks Hill, Boxted.

If approved, four one bedroom maisonettes, two two bedroom bungalows and one, three bedroom bungalow will be constructed.

But residents have been left asking where they will park if the plans go ahead and worry parking could overspill on to a route heavily used by schoolchildren.

Scott Dolling, who lives in Boxted, said: “I fully understand the need for housing in the current climate but unless the plans accommodate some parking provision for the displaced vehicles on the site, then there could be a real issue for our children’s safety.

“These cars and vans will have to go somewhere and as it stands Dedham Road is the only place.”

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Dedham Road is a busy walking route to Boxted St Peter’s Primary School and already hosts two bus stops.

Mr Dolling added: “There is already pressure on this road with cars parking on verges and pavements making challenges for anyone with pushchairs or mobility issues; the additional strain has the potential to make for a dangerous situation.”

His concerns have been echoed by fellow resident James Collitt, who added the planning application does not appear to have provided any mitigation for the issue.

He said: “I provided some alternative thoughts that made allowance for accommodating these vehicles but they seem to have been ignored.

“We are a rural community with houses designed in the 1950s when people didn’t have today’s car ownership levels.

“We can’t continue to plan in the same way and there is poor public transport here so people need their cars.”

In a planning report for the application, Ingleton Wood stated a total of five visitor spaces are to be provided as a reprovision of the “informal car parking” which is to be lost as part of the proposal.

It added the scheme is in accordance with the Essex Vehicle Parking Standards.

Colchester Council will determine the plans.