A CONTROVERSIAL bid to build 200 new homes on the outskirts of Halstead has been revised.

Gladman Developments want to build homes on Bournebridge Hill, off the A131, south of the town.

The development could bring up to 500 new residents to the area.

Now Gladman has revised the application, which was first submitted in March 2019.

The developers have repositioned the site’s road link and made changes to plans for a roundabout at the entrance to the site.

The developers said: “The revised documents and drawings have been prepared with the aim of addressing the few issues that now remain outstanding for the application.”

Opposition to the application has been strong, with one councillor labelling the plans “a step too far”.

The application was recommended for refusal by Halstead Town Council last year.

Residents have also raised concerns over the impact on the countryside, the potential Halstead bypass and traffic.

One objector said: “Halstead has already been subjected to many new housing developments, and with the news that 1,000 more new homes just a few miles down the road in Braintree have been approved, this development is not required in order to meet the area’s new housing target.

“Given the economic uncertainty and national health crisis at the moment, unnecessary new building developments should not be a priority, as not many people will be wanting or able to move.

“There are also no plans for extra facilities to support the influx of residents to the area, such as schools, doctor’s surgeries, dentists or large supermarkets.

“This is supposed to be a small market town. Therefore I hope that before any further new developments are proposed, and certainly before any are approved, access to amenities for current residents will be addressed.

“Furthermore, local roads will not be able to support a further population increase in the town.

“In peak times, the High Street is solid with traffic, which is of course bad for the environment with idle cars polluting the air, and the proposed site will exit dangerously on to a national speed limit single carriageway.”

Braintree Council will rule on the application.