The green light has been given to start work on 16 new homes close to the river in South Woodham Ferrers - bringing a cash windfall for the town.

Now developers Wimpey Homes East will begin negotiations with planners over the size of a community cash pot they will make available from the scheme.

The firm wants to build 12 four bedroom houses and four three bedroom houses on the site at Ormesby Chine.

The area has been earmarked for housing for several years, but local residents were known to be against plans for more homes.

However, Chelmsford Council's planning committee agreed the scheme at a meeting on Monday, although they ordered that an archaeological survey of the site be carried out first.

Money set aside by the developers for the community will be used on different schemes, although no details of how much will be provided have been agreed yet.

Published Thursday, March 21, 2002