A field the size of 14 football pitches could be transformed into a £10.9 million housing estate with 250 homes.

The Sleights, a 10.3-hectare greenfield site north of Halstead, has been included in Braintree Council’s Call For Sites – a list of areas which could form part of the Local Plan.

In an assessment submitted to the authority, Andrew Golland Associates say the land is a "key site" for
development with potential for 250 homes.


The report, being assessed by the council as it chooses sites for its Local Plan, estimates the potential
revenue from 250 homes would be £10.9million – 73 times more than the agricultural land’s value of
£150,000.


Shirley Diver, vice-chairman of Halstead Town Council, said: "I don’t think our roads can cope as they are.

"Developers are trying to put bigger housing estates in Halstead, but whether or not they will get permission is another thing."

A spokesman for Braintree Council said inclusion of any site within the report did not mean it would be
included in the Local Plan.