BLUEPRINTS to create a development with 850 homes and a primary school on the edge of Halstead has been unveiled.

London-based Ptarmigan Land is looking to transform the land to the east of Ravens Avenue and Tidings Hill into Halstead Garden Community, including a new road linking Tidings Hill and Colchester Road, playing fields, a country park and a community orchard.

The public launch of the bid was made just a week before Braintree Council is to decide which sites put forward by developers for housing should be included in its draft Local Plan.

While officers recommended fields of Ravens Avenue were suitable for a school, the housing bid has not found favour. However, the developer hopes to overturn that recommendation at a Local Plan Committee meeting next Wednesday.

Joe Hayes, on behalf of Ptarmigan Land said: “In contrast to other sites, our proposals for Halstead ensure that the right level of investment in facilities and infrastructure are delivered alongside new homes.

“A new link road will not only allow commuters easy access to the wider road network and limit congestion in the town centre, it also unlocks the potential for a future extension to the A131.

“We are excited to share our vision for the Halstead Garden Community, and look forward to working with the community to help shape the vision further.”

Braintree Council has to find land for 845 homes a year. But officers believe enough sites have been found and have only recommended a handful of undeveloped sites around Halstead, totalling around 100 homes, should be included in the draft plan.

The report reads: “This is a large site which would have some negative impacts on landscape quality.

“Sufficient housing has been allocated elsewhere within the district and a site of this scale is not required to meet the housing targets.

“Further it is not clear that the proposals will be acceptable in highways terms.”

Paul Hailey, who has lived on Ravens Avenue for 20 years, said he opposed them.

He said: “It will be total chaos.

“There are no roads that can cope with that amount of houses and it will be a total disaster.

If they build the access road from Colchester Road, people are going to come into Halstead that way and the roads can’t cope.

“Up to 850 houses means 1,600 cars.

“It is already almost impossible to get a GP appointment.”

A leaflet published by Ptarmigan Land promises residents “the best of town and country living”.

It claims the proposed link road between Tidings Hill and Colchester Road could ease town centre congestion. The draft Local Plan will go out to consultation this summer