A PENSIONER forced to retire through ill health faces losing his beautiful garden views if plans to build 70 new homes get the go ahead.

John Carter, 67, retired five years ago due to an ongoing battle with depression and underlying heart problems.

Two months ago he had a £1,000 summer house built in his rear garden which offers him the perfect place to enjoy the picturesque views on offer along Chapel Hill in Halstead.

But those views could soon be taken away from him after property developers Go Home submitted plans to Braintree Council to build 70 new houses on land overlooked by Mr Carter’s summer house.

Mr Carter said: “I don’t get out much due to my dodgy heart.

“The summer house is a place where I can get away from everything and relax.

“The views are beautiful. In the summer I can see dear jumping around and there is loads of wildlife out there.

“The point of the summer house is to sit out and enjoy the views but I don’t fancy looking at loads of houses. To be honest, I feel gutted and I would have thought twice about the summer house if I had known.

“I spent my savings on it.” Mr Carter has lived in his home with wife Mary for more than 30 years.

The proposals put forward by Go Home would see the new homes built on land next to Crowbridge Farm.

A total of 21 of the houses would be set aside for social housing tenants and a public open space contribution would also be provided.

The developers claim to be working for the greater good.

Oliver Hookway, chief executive, said: “Our vision is to resolve a housing crisis that will affect our children and children’s children.

“We feel duty bound to provide housing for all.

“It is important to help an area such as Halstead where there is a huge shortage of housing.”