Villagers have been left outraged after a developer expressed interest in building 240 homes on a farmer’s field.

Gladman Developments have sent out leaflets to more than 700 houses and businesses in Southminster, with a view to building an estate off North End.

The development, which would offer 30 per cent affordable housing on the fields behind New Moor Crescent, has not yet been submitted to Maldon District Council as a planning application.

Residents living nearby have condemned the preliminary designs as “ridiculous” and “disgusting”.

Grandfather Richard Saward, 68, of New Moor Close, said: “I am against it 100 per cent.

“They want to build on a boggy bit of ground and when it rains all the water flows behind our garages.

“If they build the houses there it will make matters worse.”

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