ABOUT 400 homes planned for a site in Halstead could be rejected as the site is too far from facilities.

A 16 hectare site adjoining Cherry Tree Close and Beech Avenue was thought to harm the character of the area.

The site was seen to be close to some employment facilities, however officers said it is too far from the town centre.

They said: "Negative impacts include distance from health facilities, being over 800m from the town centre.

"The site lies within 100m of a designated wildlife site. Access is uncertain but gained from a single track fast road.

"There would be loss of greenfield land and soil quality."

Halstead Town Council did not support the development as they said the impact on Colne Road is of serious concern.

Planning officers said: "The scale of the proposal would be apparent from Brook Street and would extend the boundaries of Halstead far into the countryside, harming the quiet rural character of its landscape setting.

"It is unclear where satisfactory access could be achieved. Brook Street is a fast narrow road and partly single lane."

A smaller site at Cherry Tree Close has been recommended for housing.

The 0.82 hectare site would be enclosed on two sides by existing housing and enclosed from the wider countryside by the ridge.

Planning officers said: "Development can be designed to soften the impact from Cherry Tree Close by protecting the river edge and some mature trees. "Retaining and creating a landscape corridor linking the river with the vegetation on the eastern boundary is likely to be beneficial to wildlife."