A developer has reduced the number of homes it is proposing to build in a village after concerns over flooding.

Gladman Developments has altered its plans to build 116 homes on and west of Station Road in Earls Colne.

It has now proposed a development which would see 90 new houses built.

The change comes after Essex County Council objected to the original outline proposals because it felt the surface water management scheme suggested for the development was “inadequate”.

The schemes are put in place to ensure new homes are protected against the risk of flooding.

Gladman has since revised the layout of the plans to tackle the concerns of planning officers and removed 26 homes from the proposals.

A letter frm the developer outlining the changes said: “As a result of the revised layout the number of dwellings and area of residential development have been reduced. The impact of the layout revisions have resulted in the loss of a small infiltration pond in the north of the site.

“The enclosed calculations and drawing reflect the latest revisions in the surface water management scheme and demonstrate that the proposed development has a suitable surface water scheme.”

Gladman’s proposals have also been met with opposition by residents in the village and in nearby Colne Engaine.

More than 50 letters objecting to the plans have been submitted to Braintree Council, with many raising concerns about the size of the development and the impact it would have on the education and health facilities in the villages.

Both Earls Colne and Colne Engaine parish councils have objected to the plans.