RESIDENTS are being called on to show up at a public inquiry into a 485 home development on the edge of two villages.

The inquiry into the outline development on land off Long Road in Lawford and Clacton Road in Mistley is being held this week at Tendring Council’s offices in Weeley and is set to end on Friday.

Richard Browning-Smith, of Maltings Wharf, Manningtree has called for people to show up to show they care.

He said: "People need to go along, having people there gets the message across.

"If the seats aren't filled it looks like people don't care and it's more than likely they will get these 485 homes through."

The plans for up to 485 homes and up to two hectares of employment space for a variety of uses including cafes and offices was rejected by Tendring Council in November 2018.

The planning committee turned down the application saying 485 homes would be too many for an edge of settlement development.

But Tendring Farms Ltd lodged an appeal against the decision.