A PETROL station could be turned into homes as councillors agree to allocate the site for housing.

Sites submitted to the district's draft Local Plan for Great Notley and Black Notley were discussed at a committee meeting last week.

One of the new sites submitted is at London Road in Great Notley.

The land, which is currently used as a petrol station, has been put forward for more than 12 homes.

At the meeting it was agreed the site be put forward for housing.

Also discussed at the meeting was a site east of London Road for 2,000 homes.

Great Notley Parish Council said road infrastructure and public transport needed to be considered locally first.

There is also a planning application submitted by Crest Nicholson for 97 homes near the site.

Black Notley Parish Council said there must be no new housing to the east of Great Notley until there is a major new road

system installed.

Councillor John O'Reilly Cicconi agreed with the parish council's comments.

He said: "Personally I am in agreement with Black Notley Parish Council as to the problems of Bakers Lane.

"We are proposing to build 2,000 homes to the north of that lane.

"I know the main access would be on London Road but it's going to intensify traffic."

Land east of Great Notley was put forward for strategic development, but councillor Graham Butland said it needed to be kept separate from Black Notley.

The strategic development plan includes primary school facilities and either contributions to, or provision of secondary school facilities.

It also includes food and retail outlets, a minimum of three new 56-place early years facilities, and recreational space.

It was decided that Bakers Lane would only be used if it was absolutely necessary to the development, as councillors wanted to minimise the use of the road.