A HALSTEAD Town Councillor is seeking assurances a developer will not repeat the move which saw a drastic reduction in the affordable housing build on a site in a neighbouring village.

Bloor Homes is set to start construction on the first phase of development off Oak Road this spring. The developer is behind the Premdor factory site in Sible Hedingham, and won planning permission on the condition that 58 out of 193 homes would be affordable.

The firm initially applied to Braintree Council to reduce the number to nine, which was rejected.

However, on appeal, the number was reduced to just 16.

Halstead Town Council’s Jackie Pell said: “They are the same company that went back on their promises in Sible Hedingham, and they should know they won’t get away with it here.

“I know a lot of people in Sible Hedingham were annoyed by that decision, and a few of my colleagues at the district council were actually quite incensed by it.

“They are granted planning permission on these grounds and there is no way they should be able to go back on them, but at the end of the day it comes down to money and less affordable homes is more money in their pocket.

“Once bitten, twice shy, as the old saying goes.”

Mrs Pell believes affordable homes will appeal to residents in the town.

She added: “I have grandchildren who will be looking for houses soon, and they are the kinds of people that affordable housing is aimed at.

“I remember how hard it was when I bought my first home, and it is much harder now, that is why we need these affordable housing schemes.”

Jaimie Wragg, design and technical director at Bloor Homes, said: “Our reserved matters proposals for 192 homes on land at Oak Road include 30 per cent affordable homes, equivalent to 58 units.

“This is compliant with Braintree District Council policy. We will be delivering the scheme at Oak Road in accordance with the outline permission, and are already speaking to registered providers about the affordable homes.

“We are proposing a wide mix of homes across the site, and our scheme for 192 homes includes 54 one and two bedroom homes to help young people onto the housing ladder, and 10 new bungalows.

“Bloor Homes are passionate about delivering much-needed new homes, and are pleased to propose a policy compliant scheme at Oak Road.”