A bid to build more than 400 homes on fields in Halstead has been revealed.

The Vaizey Northern Estate Trust outlined proposals for a 16.7 hectare site off of Cherry Tree Close and Beech Close, as part of a call for sites by Braintree Council as it looks to draw up its local plan.

They are hoping to build 418 houses, as well as having space for informal recreation and landscaping, with access roads proposed for Cherry Tree Close, Beech Avenue and Brook Street.

Any development would be in addition to another application for 24 houses on land further south off Cherry Tree Close currently being considered by Braintree Council.

Residents have spoken of their dismay over the news of the latest plans for the north of the town.

Mum-of-two Sarah Doyle, of Beech Avenue, said: “We used to walk our dog round there and it is a lovely area.

“There are a lot of dog walkers who use the land too.

“I am worried that it would be an over development of the land.

“It would be terrible.

“It is so quiet round here at the moment but this would be ruined.

“The land is great for letting children go and play too - more and more of the town’s countryside is being lost.”

Her neighbour Linda Freeman, 61, added: “I would be very worried about access if these houses were built.

“It would be horrendous with more cars.

“We moved here for the countryside but soon we won’t have any left.”

Carl Gilbody, of Cherry Tree Close, said: “It would be a shame to lose the countryside.

“The traffic round here is bad enough as it is and with more cars it will only get worse.”

Another resident of Beech Avenue, who did not want to be named, added: “The roads around here wouldn’t cope as they are all really narrow and twisty.

“The development could mean another 800 people - how are the schools, doctor’s surgery and other facilities like the swimming pool going to cope?”

Braintree Council’s Call for Sites sees landowners submit details of land which they believe has the potential for development and will inform the local plan for housing in the district.

In the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, which assess the suitability of land for development as part of the local plan, the site is said to be suitable, available and achievable.

But more land has been submitted as part of the call for sites than Braintree Council needs.

The estimated total number of housing required in the district before 2033 is between 12,000 and 15,200.

Land included in the document will not necessarily be developed.

Agents Whirledge and Nott did not respond to request for comment.

The owners of the land could not be reached.