WORRIED residents say they feel “under siege” following more plans for new housing estates in Halstead.

The latest application has been submitted by Oak Home Development for 29 homes on Slough Farm Road, off Beridge Road.

There are currently hundreds of homes planned to be built in and around Halstead and residents have said enough is enough.

Campaign group Hands Off Chapel Hill was set up by residents after developer Go Homes appealed against a decision to refuse 70 homes.

Following the latest application, founder Pete Caulfield said: “Speaking for the Hands Off group, this application was inevitable.

“A similar application was refused a couple of years ago due to the protected status of Sloe Cottage Meadow, which was their preferred access route.

“Now that protection is gone, it’s more or less open season on land in that area.

“However, I have serious doubts about the location and the safety of traffic, pedestrians and children using the school in Beridge Road.”

Mr Caulfield added: “It feels as if the town is under siege and I agree with the town council’s view that enough is enough.”

A number of residents have submitted objections to the Slough Farm Road housing.

One objector said: “I fail to see where the developer has proved any benefit for Halstead, only extra pressure on over-prescribed schools and medical services already stretched to capacity with existing patients, more risk of potential danger for children going to school due to extra vehicles and gridlocked roads, not to mention loss of far reaching views enjoyed for generations, which makes Halstead a special place.

“I cannot believe we are here again with yet another planning application.”

Town councillors also say the amount of homes planned in the town is too much.

At this month’s meeting, the council heard that over the past two to three years Halstead has seen unprecedented development with no progress on improving infrastructure.

But having no approved Local Plan leaves the area open to speculative development.

More than 670 homes are planned for Halstead during the next five years with more going through the planning process.

The total number of additional homes forecast for Braintree district is 4,834, meaning that Halstead will bear the brunt of 14 per cent of the planned development despite the current population making up only 8 per cent of the district’s total.