Villagers have formed an action group to influence the way a new development for up to 150 houses is built.

Residents in Mayland and Maylandsea want to make sure that the houses and community facilities, including an indoor gym and village green, are built “in the right way” for the area.

Hedgehog Development met with residents last week to present two designs from 115 to 150 houses at Nipsells Farm, off Nipsells Chase in Mayland.

Peter Wislocki, a spokesman for the Southend-based firm, said that he was met with “hostility” when the designs were presented at the Henry Samuel hall in Steeple Road, last Wednesday.

He said: “The neighbours and residents are extremely interested in the development, which is not to say that there is a degree of hostility on the part of a few and there are strong reservations on the parts of others."

See this week's MBS for the full story.