Plans to protect a new 1,100 home development in Heybridge from flooding will go ahead after a council was awarded £7.3 million.

Maldon District Council has been handed the cash pot from the government.

The council has been working with the Environment Agency and Essex County Council on the flood defence scheme for north Heybridge.

The North Heybridge Garden suburb will see 1,100 homes built but residents fear it will become victim to flooding if no scheme is in place.

Last year the council submitted a bid to the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund to provide cash for any future scheme.

Projects which had been awarded cash were announced today by Housing Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor Philip Hammond.

Mark Durham, leader of the council, said: “The funding puts us back on track to deliver our strategic sites in Heybridge and help to alleviate the risk of flooding for the whole of Heybridge.

“Flood defences are a key component of the Council’s strategic vision in line with the Local Development Plan.

“The North Heybridge flood alleviation scheme has been developed through joint working with the Environment Agency, Essex County Council, Anglian Water, private developers and landowners.

“The infrastructure will safeguard businesses, create new opportunities and stimulate potential projects within the Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan.”

Up to 200,000 new homes across the country are set to get off the ground after the government confirmed the £866 million investment in housing projects.

Mr Durham added: “I would like to thank the council officers involved in the submission of the bid to Government, the local MPs, Essex County Council, South East Local Enterprise Partnership, the Environment Agency and the private developers.”

The government will be working closely with the council over the coming months to progress the scheme.