A COUNCILLOR has warned the district will become a big target for housing developers in the new year before the council looks to finalise a housing.

Silver End and Cressing district councillor James Abbott revealed his fears after plans to build 250 new homes off Braintree Road near Tye Green were approved by a planning inspector last week.

The scheme had been rejected by Braintree Council but developer Begin Braintree overturned the decision after launching an appeal.

Mr Abbott, who is also the leader of the Green and Independent party on the council, said: "It’s a total disaster.

“We are looking at something like 2,000 new homes being built around here in the next ten years.

“That’s just not sustainable because there is no GP surgery, no extra schools or community centres – nothing.

“That means the residents will have to travel which leads to more traffic on the roads."

He added: “It could take at least another year to secure a Local Plan at best.

“That means we’re facing more speculative developments in 2021, with developers trying to get in before a plan is secured.

"It's a really worrying time for our district."

Braintree Council is set to begin work on section two of its housing plan after a planning inspector approved section one earlier this month.

Section one contained plans for three garden communities, but only one planned for the Colchester and Tendring border was given the go ahead.

The other two, which would have been based to the west and east of Braintree, were rejected by planning inspector Roger Clews.

The 250-home development planned for Tye Green will see a new roundabout built on Braintree Road to provide access to the development.

Begin Braintree has also said it would re-route part of Braintree Road to remove two sharp bends.

Up to 40 per cent of the new houses would be allocated as affordable.