A developer will begin work on 371 homes across the district this year.

David Wilson Homes has announced it will be launching six new sites across Essex helping to bring 2,000 jobs to the area.

The Chelmsford based developers took over the building of 103 new homes at Riverside Grange in North Fambridge, 94 homes at St Leonard’s Edge in Southminster and 174 homes at Corinthian Place in Burnham.

The 94 homes at Theedhams Farm were approved at appeal in August 2016 while the 174 homes in Burnham, put forward by Pigeon Land, was also given permission in August 2016.

Pigeon Land has won planning permission for the homes, a new nursing home, and a nursery on fields near Creeksea Lane.

When the plans went before councillors in March 2016 they deferred the decision to allow them to make a site visit.

Pigeon Land later submitted amended plans for the Burnham West site to the council which were recommended for approval by officers.

The developer, which previously applied to build 317 and then 203 homes on the site, has offered 72 affordable homes.

The Southminster site is for 94 homes, of which 28 would be affordable, and also includes a new northern bypass which will see Steeple Road converted to a cul-desac.

There will also be land reserved for a future medical centre, if initial plans are kept to.

Maldon District Council was forced to foot the bill for a developer’s legal costs after an inspector ruled it had behaved unreasonably at the appeal.

By the time the plans were heard at a hearing the council had withdrawn three of the grounds for objection.

The inspector decided there would be “limited” harm to the character and appearance of the area and approved the plans.

In total 991 homes will be built across Essex.

About one hundred will be built at St Andrew’s Gate in Halstead and 500 homes will be built in Hullbridge.

Robert Holbrook, managing director for David Wilson Homes in the Eastern counties, said: “Our new developments in Essex will provide much needed housing in these areas.

“This is also good news for the economy with the construction jobs underpinned by building the new homes.”

Work on Riverside Grange, St Leonard’s Edge and Corinthian Place is set to start this summer.

For details on the homes for sale by David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties in Essex, call 0844 811 3888 or visit www.dwh.co.uk.