HALSTEAD’S bypass is back on the Local Plan map, but is likely to lead to further development in the town, a meeting heard.

Plans for the bypass along the A131 were removed from Braintree Council’s draft Local Plan after Essex County Council said it was unlikely to be built before 2033.

But at last Wednesday’s Local Plan Sub-Committee meeting it was unanimously voted that the bypass will be included in the draft.

Several councillors also questioned whether Halstead was taking its fair share of housing developments.

Construction is forthcoming on Colchester Road and Oak Road developments but councillors pointed out several small villages are taking similar numbers to Halstead.

Council Leader Graham Butland called for Halstead to take more homes in the future, warning that the bypass will invite more planning applications.

He said: “Purely if we are in a position to have to find potential additional sites, then Halstead may have to take its fair share, if there are suitable sites about. Once you get a definitive line for a bypass, I imagine applications will come flooding in for the space in between.”

Councillor David Bebb called for a closer look at why sites are being rejected.

He said: “I take everything you say about the difficulties of Halstead, about unsustainability, access problems, flood problems, but I am a bit disturbed by the number of homes being put forward in the Local Plan.

“It has been mentioned to me that some villages around, maybe in more sustainable locations are having to take proportionately more than Halstead is taking. I know there are very good reasons for each of these sites, but I do wonder if further scrutiny may be needed on why some of these sites have been rejected. I am just worried that it is such a very small number of homes.”

Halstead Town Councillor David Hume said residents felt the town was being overdeveloped, but admitted the town would take more homes, if suitable sites are put forward.