MORE than 200 “affordable flatpack homes” will be built on a key site near Waitrose in Southend if fresh plans are given the green light.

Proposals for the new homes in Fossetts Way, were initially touted in January with just 30 per cent of the homes set to be affordable.

Now, the planning application has been submitted revealing all 221 homes will be 100 per cent affordable, with 60 per cent classed as affordable to rent and 40 per cent as shared ownership.

A campaign group fighting for additional key worker housing in Southend have welcomed the move for all the homes to be made affordable.

Tricia Cowdrey, co-chair of campaign group Fossetts for the People said: “Our campaign is focusing on the bit of land that was previously owned by the NHS. We are really pleased as a campaign with the fact that there will be 100 per cent affordable housing on that land and that’s the start of the council looking at our plot of land.

“We’re really concerned about the lack of key worker hosing but we are optimistic with these particular proposals and we will support them.

“It’s a step in the right direction and we want to support them as much as we can.”

The prefabricated homes are mostly made in factories and lifted onto the site and can be constructed in just 36 hours.

Developer, Ilke Homes, held a pre-application consultation and used responses to form the application.

Positive feedback supported redevelopment of the site for affordable housing and the flatpack approach.

The development would sit close to the proposed new Southend United stadium at Fossetts Farm, which includes 1,461 homes -  850 of which will be leased to the council. 

Deputy leader of the council, Ron Woodley, said he would review highways infrastructure.

He said: “I think it’s just brilliant news. With Fossetts Way and Queensway we will be going a long way for residents to have somewhere decent to live.

“I think it’s great news and let’s go full steam ahead and it gives me an opportunity to see what we can do with highway infrastructure.”

Tricia Cowdrey is standing as Labour candidate for the Kursaal ward. Other candidates are Philip Edey, Lib Dem, Thomas Love, Green, and Judith McMahon, Conservative.