A NEW housing estate is to be built in Langham after plans for 30 homes were approved by Colchester Council.
William Developments Ltd has been allowed to begin works on the properties north of Colchester in School Road.
The scheme will consist of a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses, with nine properties made affordable.
A transport assessment by the developer determined traffic generation caused by the build “would not have a significant effect on the local road network”.
An ecological report found boundary hedgerows on the land is home to foraging bats, nesting birds and possibly amphibians.
William Developments said about half of the respondents in a consultation it ran before formally submitting the blueprints found the proposal “generally or broadly acceptable”.
Langham Community Council objected to the plan on behalf of the 14 trustees of the village hall.
A statement reads: “For many years, the Langham Community Centre car park and the adjacent sections of School Road have been prone to flooding after heavy rain.
“It is obvious, to all who know the local area well, that the drainage ditch running along the south side of School Road is not a properly functioning drainage mechanism.
“The developer’s proposal to use it, in its current state, as a primary means of dispersing excess surface water from the new development is not a viable solution.”
One resident urged planning chiefs to relocate the estate’s access in School Road amid concern over how busy it gets during school pick-up times.
They said: “I feel an entrance further away from children coming and going from school would be safer.
“No one wants blood on their hands. It is chaotic at school times.”
The developer said the location takes advantage of the “connectivity potential” for walking to nearby facilities and services.
It added there are options to extend the use of the recreation ground and deliver further leisure and recreational uses while continuing its agricultural functions.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel