MORE than 300 objection letters were signed after Hands off Halstead took to the streets to discuss fears over potential developments.

Gladman Developments has applied for outline permission to build 205 homes on land east of Sudbury Road, Halstead.

With just a week until the deadline for objection comments, the resident group spent Saturday morning pitched up on the High Street fielding questions and helping residents object to the plan.

Campaigners created a tick-sheet objection letter to hand to supporters.

Chairman Martin Walker said: “It was really good and on the whole we had unanimous support.

“I think a lot of residents appreciated the fact that we are not standing against Sudbury Road, but we will be here to support any other unsustainable developments that crop up across town. It also gave us a chance to show we are galvanising residents, and this isn’t just Nimbyism.”

The tick-sheet objection letter created by Hands off Halstead lists a host of reasons to object, including the fact the site is not allocated in Braintree Council’s draft Local Plan.

Campaigners say it would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the landscape, and would bring limited public transport, a lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, lack of school places, and overload Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery.

Martin added: “It became very clear that there is a high level of concern from residents all over town.

“There was a unanimous concern about lack of doctors, as well as almost everyone raising concerns of school places, traffic congestion and infrastructure.

“I am hugely heartened and reassured that the message is getting out there, and people are onboard.”

  •  Visit handsoffhalstead.co.uk