Plans to build 145 new homes at two sites in Earls Colne have been revealed.

Gladman Developments has submitted an outline application to build up to 115 properties on land west of Station Road within the village.

According to the proposals, access to the estate would be created using a new route from Station Road and 40 per cent of the properties would be affordable.

Gladman’s planning statement said: “Care has been taken to ensure that the perceived impact on Earls Colne is minimised and acceptable, through careful design and siting, the provision of amenity space on the site and through taking a holistic approach to landscape provision at the site.”

The site has not been allocated for homes in Braintree Council’s draft local plan, which is awaiting approval by a planning inspector.

The report continues: “This proposal would be deliverable in the short term and increase the supply and choice of housing at one of the identified sustainable settlements in the district.

"It would contribute towards economic growth and have wider social benefits to the community, meeting a range of housing requirements, including affordable housing.”

A separate application for up to 30 homes at land to the rear of Tey Road has been submitted by private landowners.

The make-up of the properties would be a mixture of one, two, three, four and five bedroom homes, and again the developer plans for 40 per cent of the homes to be affordable.

Residents have already raised concerns about proposed access to the site and infrastructure in the village.

The planning statement said: “The development would generate economic benefits during the construction phase via the employment of tradespersons and the sourcing of materials etc. from suppliers.

“In addition, additional footfall from new residents would support shops, services and transport infrastructure, and make rural services more sustainable.”

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