Plans to build up to 35 homes in a village have been met with objections by residents.

Parker Strategic Land Ltd has applied to build the homes next to Watering Farm off Coggeshall Road, Kelvedon.

There have been 68 objections lodged since the outline application was validated in January.

Essex Wildlife Trust also objected to the plans, describing the site as priority habitat for wildlife.

Consultee Dr Annie Gordon said: “We are of the opinion that the first consideration for Braintree DC should be the avoidance of harm.

“The mitigation plan includes removal of reptiles from the application site and relocation to a site approximately one mile away.

“It should be noted that translocation of protected species to a separate receptor site should only ever be considered as a last resort, when there are no suitable alternative locations for the proposed development and insufficient suitable habitat remaining on the application site.”

Kelvedon Parish Council also objected because the site lies outside the adopted and proposed village envelope.

The applicant had initially applied to build to 41 homes on the site, but changed this in May.

The application form said: “The application remains an outline although we feel the revisions demonstrate that 35 dwellings can be achieved on the site and meet the required standards in an acceptable and attractive way.”

Updated plans now include nine two-bedroom houses, four two-bedroom flats, 12 three-bedroom houses, eight four-bedroom houses and two flats over garages.

The plans have been recommended for approval at the planning meeting on July 31.

To view the application visit publicaccess.braintree.gov.uk and use reference 17/02271/OUT.