RESIDENTS have raised concerns over a planning application for land next to Halstead Cricket Club.

The 20 acre site off Sudbury Road has been proposed to be used for keeping horses.

Residents fear it could pave the way for a future housing development, after previous bids for homes on the site were rejected.

One resident said: “You also have to question the proposed access from Sudbury Road.

“That is a national speed limit road, where people do drive quickly.

“The road turns into almost a blind bend, and if you don’t know the road it is on top of you very quickly.

“Horses boxes and trailers are notoriously slow.

“Sight lines are poor, so slow-moving vehicles like horse boxes and trailers will be pulling into the path of HGVs and fastmoving traffic.

“If the land is for horses, like they suggest, this will cause a problem of its own.”

25 objection comments have been submitted through Braintree’s Planning Portal since December 20, with a number of these raising concerns over the future use of the land once it has been converted to be used by horses.

Residents have until Monday to comment on the bid.

For more information, or to comment, visit the planning portal at www.braintree.gov.uk