A developer has formed plans to build up to 150 houses and a new indoor gym in a village.

Hedgehog Development, in Southend, met with residents from Mayland and Maylandsea on Wednesday to present two designs of a development, ranging from 115 to 150 houses, at Nipsells Farm, off Nipsells Chase in Mayland.

The proposed development is located on redundant agricultural land, which has not been farmed commercially for 20 years.

Villagers were left fearing for the future of the area in August when a survey gauging ideas about new development was hand-delivered by the company.

Mayland Parish Council received more than 200 phone calls from worried villagers, but had to make people aware that they had not issued the survey themselves.

As part of the preliminary plans, the company hope to introduce a village green, cycle paths, a childrens' play area and a combined community centre and indoor gym, after receiving suggestions in the questionnaire responses.

See this week's MBS for the full story.