AN unpopular development of up to 14 homes in Halstead has been given to go ahead.

Landowner Richard Wright applied for outline planning permission in May last year for up to 14 detached houses to be built at land off of Balls Chase, Halstead.

The application received dozens of objections from residents concerned with the proposed access to the properties and the potential risk of flooding the area.

Speaking at the meeting, resident Phil Moakes said: “With regard to access we share the view of the town council which dates back from as long ago as 1988 in believing that Balls Chase is fundamentally unsuitable for further traffic movement.

“No amount of compromise on visibility sprays, the creative use of section 106 funding or incomprehensible speed surveys at the most advantageous location will change the fact that this is a narrow steep road with poor access to and from housing driveways.”

George Knight, a resident of Balls Chase whose property directly overlooks the site, also spoke at the meeting.

He said: “All of the exhaust fumes from vehicles turning into and out of the proposed access will be emitted directly at the front of our property.

“This pollution is of great concern as I am an asthmatic.

“There is also a concern about noise and light pollution directed into our property.”

A previous planning application for 25 homes was refused in February 2016.

However Lynette Bowers-Flint (Conservative, Coggeshall) said that this time it was a completely different application and there were no firm grounds for refusal.

The application was approved unanimously at a meeting of Braintree Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.