A PUBLIC inquiry is putting controversial plans to build 56 houses on Mersea Island under the microscope.

BlueSquare Homes’ bid to create the new estate on land off East Road, West Mersea, was turned down by Colchester Council in April last year.

Officers rejected the proposals for eight reasons, including as the site has not been allocated for homes in the Local Plan.

There were also concerns about planning obligations for things like affordable homes and funding for infrastructure.

But the developer appealed the decision and today Colchester Council will host a public inquiry as the town awaits an answer on the site’s future.

Campaigner Stephen Bloyce, who has strongly opposed the plans since their inception in July 2017, says the community is resolute in its opposition against the application.

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He said: “This is a site which isn’t in the West Mersea Neighbourhood Plan, it’s on a coastal protection belt in an area designated for agricultural fields.

“If this plan went ahead, it would set a dangerous precedent when it comes to land which should be protected.

“But the main thing a lot of people are protesting about is the proposals to the roads. Some of the chicanes suggested will block people in on their driveways.

“We are a place known for its tourism with four major caravan sites in East Mersea, on just two of them alone there are 8,600 people which could generate 2,000 cars in one day to travel to the beach.

“If traffic calming measures are put in as part of this plan, then it will cause huge tailbacks, which will be detrimental to The Fox Inn.

“There’s a give way outside the pub and no one will be able to get in due to the tailbacks. These roads were built for horse and cars - they simply wouldn’t be able to cope with extra traffic.

“I would feel absolutely disgusted if this went ahead.”

It comes as a new 100-home estate is already set to be built by Mersea Homes, off Dawes Lane, while City and Country is set to build 100 more homes on land at Brierley Paddocks.