A BID for 200 homes on a greenfield village site will be decided at a public inquiry.

Gladman Developments applied for outline permission to build the homes on land off Barbrook Lane in Tiptree.

The bid submitted last year also included a new medical centre, car parking facility, sustainable drainage system and children’s play area.

But Colchester Council threw out the plans in January saying it would be outside the settlement boundary.

It added it would have “a significant effect or an adverse effect” on a special protection area and no details had been provided on potential archaeological remains.

Planners also criticised a lack of agreement on providing 30 per cent affordable housing.

But now land developer Gladman has appealed against the decision.

It launched the bid on Friday and has called for the appeal to be determined by a planning inspector at a public inquiry.

No date for the inquiry has been decided but there is an April 12 deadline for anyone wanting to comment.

The controversial plans sparked dozens of objections and saw MP Priti Patel join forces with residents to oppose the bid.

Ms Patel said: “Gladman have a track record challenging any decision that goes against them and use their deep pockets to try to grind down councils and residents.

“If they continue to persist with these ill thought-through plans then I will carry on standing by local residents and do all I can to block this development.”

Gladman had claimed the homes plan was a “logical extension” of Tiptree and would compliment the character of the area.

Anyone wanting to comment should visit acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/CaseSearch.aspx.