VILLAGERS have hit out one of their most beautiful green spaces will be "completely ruined" by amended plans to a controversial housing development.

Outline planning permission to build 67 homes on land off Green Lane, in Mistley, were approved by an inspector in February.

Now, Hollins Strategic Land has submitted a new planning application seeking "minor material amendments to the approved layout".

The amendments include altering the approved layout to better accommodate an emergency vehicle.

The report sent to Tendring Council said the proposed changes will be to reduce the width of open space from 65metres to 60metres and from 10metres to 5metres.

It said: "The green corridor along the north eastern boundary has been removed along about two thirds of its length and there have been changes to the layout with a revised road pattern and an increase in the number of detached and semi-detached houses, compared with the consented scheme which had more terraces."

The number of residential homes remains at 67, it added.

More than 30 residents have objected to the amended plans to Tendring Council.

Helen Coleman, of Erskine Road, Mistley said in her objection: "As an area of outstanding natural beauty this will be completely ruined by the plans and make a beautiful pathway packed with local wildlife and flora starved of light in the day and an area which will feel very unsafe at night."

Gavin Edwards, also of Erskine Road, said: "This application should be rejected.

"It significantly changes the nature of the planned development to include flats and much less green space than the original application, which was correctly rejected by Tendring Council and only permitted after an appeal to an external inspector with no knowledge of local conditions or the local area."

For the original application, more than 160 objections were lodged to Tendring Council.

He also ruled the visual impact would not harm the surrounding countryside.

Hollins Strategic Land has been contacted for comment.