A HOUSE builder has submitted an outline application for up to 220 new homes to Maldon District Council.

Taylor Wimpey has unveiled plans for a new residential development in Southminster. 

If the development gets the green light, it would also include associated infrastructure, public open space and road access.

The site is situated on farmland north of Homefield and west of Tillingham Road.

The planning application says the site is just over 19 hectares, with services and facilities nearby, including restaurants and public houses, a church, convenience store and doctor’s surgery.

The proposed development would include mainly two-storey buildings, with some bungalows.

Thirty per cent would be affordable homes.

This is proposed in response to “extremely high levels of unmet affordable housing need, and worsening affordability position in the district”, according to the planning statement.

The proposed development has sparked objections.

Joanna Keay said: "The roads in Southminster aren't fit for the amount of traffic we have already, let alone at least another 200 cars and the lorries and machinery that will come if this was to go ahead."

She added: "It would destroy the environment, a calm green open space, a habitat for birds and insects, culminating in more traffic fumes and noise from the building work and demolition.

"Children walk to local schools, on the pavements.

"I walk my dog daily around these fields and I'm grateful to have that on my doorstep.

"There is a sense of peace, a space to breathe and appreciate all the green space as far as the eye can see."

Sonya Silby said: "I would like to strongly object to this planning application. There are already many houses for sale in Southminster.

"The local service can not support more people and vehicles the new-build properties will bring."

She added: "The nursery, primary and secondary schools are already oversubscribed.

"We have to wait longer for doctors and hospital appointments due to the last influx of houses/people as no other infrastructure has been put in place."

Maldon District Council will rule on the application.