A council is set to make a decision on the controversial expansion of a business park.

Maldon District Council will make a decision on the Beckingham Business Park in Tolleshunt Major at a meeting of the North Western Area Planning Committee on Wednesday (December 16).

The plans are recommended for approval.

A total of 35 letters of objection have been launched to the council over the plans which include 13 new industrial and business units, an office block and a café.

Tolleshunt Major Parish Council, Little Totham Parish Council and Tolleshunt D'Arcy Parish Council have all recommended the plans for refusal.

Little Totham Parish Council said: "The development will do nothing for the vitality and life of the villages.

"There are no sustainable transport modes, with existing roads already unsafe and unsuitable.

"There is no pedestrian access possible, with Tolleshunt Major, Tolleshunt D'Arcy and Little Totham, all small villages.

"There are no pathways linking the villages and it would be impossible to walk to the site from either Tiptree or Maldon, the nearest larger settlements.

"It will generate a significant amount of traffic and the roads in the vicinity have not been upgraded.

" This site is already an unsuitable location for a business park and this development with just exacerbate the situation.

"The roads are all secondary roads and the development will have an unacceptable impact on the highways.

Many concerned residents agreed, fearing the expansion will bring more traffic to the already busy village roads.

One said: "I have lived here now for nearly 25 years and have seen the ongoing development of the park during that time.

"Maldon District Council made a promise some years back that they would not allow any further development,a promise they have not kept.

"This current application is totally unnecessary.

"It brings nothing to the value of local rural life.

"The buildings are unsympathetic with its rural surroundings and there is not provision for enough parking.

"In addition, those of us who live on the traffic route will be subjected to more car and HGV's noise, pollution and damage to our properties.

"We already fear for the safety of our children, elder folk and animals."