CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 600 homes as part of a new town in the north Essex countryside have finally been submitted. 

Parker Strategic Land (PSL) wants to develop land north of Kelvedon station, off Coggeshall Road.

PSL wants to see up to 5,000 new homes built to form a new town called Kings Dene and is seeking permission for 600 new homes as part of the first phase.

Detailed in the proposals, on top of the desire to build 600 new homes, is also the building of up to 75 sheltered housing accommodation, the proposed provision of a new primary school, as well as a new footpath and cycle route towards Coggeshall.

The developers launched a consultation and sought advice from Braintree Council last year, and now an official planning application has been submitted.

However, the bid has been met with much objection from residents, with more than 20 responses made outlining issues with traffic, and how it goes against the Local Plan.

Daniel Garrett, of Coggeshall Road, said: “I am concerned about the potential issues caused by this development to the traffic level within Kelvedon. 

“It is also currently very difficult to get a doctor’s appointment in the local GP practice with the current level of residents in Kelvedon. 

“The new Cala Homes development is going to make this even more challenging, without an additional 600 new homes adding to this.”

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Eric Nelson, of Curlew Close, said: “I wish to object to this proposed speculative development which is far too large for a village of our size which is already over-developed, where traffic congestion is already a major issue and where local amenities are already stretched”

Sarah Tassell, of Bellingham Place, said: “I oppose this application because Kelvedon has already reached its housing numbers allocation in Braintree Council’s emerging Local Plan, which is set to be adopted in early 2022, and the Braintree district has a 5.3-year supply of housing in the pipeline so this proposal for 600 new homes is disproportionate to the area and quite simply not needed.”

Residents can have their say on the plans up until March 21 by visiting bit.ly/3vmnCoG. 

The bid has to be decided on by May 30.