COUNCILLORS overturned plans to include a site for 50 homes in the Local Plan.

Crest Nicholson consulted the public on plans to build the homes in Monks Road, Earls Colne, last month.

Planning officers and councillors initially agreed to recommend the site for housing in the Draft Local Plan, however an amendment was put forward by councillor Councillor Gabrielle Spray to take the site out.

An outline planning application by Amec Foster Wheeler has already been submitted for up to 80 houses on land off Nonancourt Way and Halstead Road.

A bid for up to 56 houses in land off Station Road and Homefield Way has also been recommended for approval.

Cllr Spray said: "The parish council accepts the need for housing in the district and has taken a fair share of housing, but we feel the addition of this third site is one too many for the village.

"The access to the site itself isn't a problem, however to get to the High Street you have to go left onto Queens Road.

"It's already a very difficult and frustrating stretch of road."

Chair of Earls Colne Parish Council, John Bendall, also supported the amendment to remove the site, saying it would put unnecessary pressure on the village.

Braintree Council leader Graham Butland, added: "The more I look at it the more unconvinced I am that this is the site to be included.

"The parish council has shown it is willing to accommodate new housing elsewhere- this site will need to come with better access."

Steven Butler, planning consultant for Crest Nicholson, spoke to promote the plans at a special meeting of the council on Monday.

He said: "We held a public exhibition and had 174 residents and business owners coming to provide feedback.

"More than 60 forms were collected and 40 per cent supported the proposals, particularly the mix of homes.

"The remainder raised concerns relating to traffic congestion.

"The plans recognise these concerns and parking for new homes will not spill over into surrounding sites. The increase in traffic will be modest and therefore acceptable."

Chair of the local plan committee, Lynette Bowers-Flint, said the site was suitable for housing.

She said: "My words at the beginning were that I would be liked by some and disliked by many, this site was determined to be a logical extension to Earls Colne and this is the only site appropriate.

"It would be a small but helpful contribution."

It was decided by councillors to remove the site from the plan because of the access.