DETAILED plans for dozens of new homes in a village’s beauty spot have been given the go-ahead despite concerns raised over traffic congestion and road safety.

Outline plans to build 67 homes on land off Green Lane, Mistley, were approved by an inspector in February 2018 despite 160 objections from residents.

CALA Homes then sent an application seeking minor amendments to the approved layout in November.

The changes included altering the layout to better accommodate emergency vehicles and allowing more space between homes.

The developer’s detailed plans have now been approved by Tendring Council despite objections from residents and Mistley Parish Council.

Mistley Parish Council said it was against the plans due to the continuing issue of traffic congestion and road safety at the New Road, Clacton Road, Long Road and Trinity Road junction.

It said: “A cyclist was struck by a vehicle and required the air ambulance to attend to this junction on June 28.

“As yet, there is no news on the cyclists’ injuries, but fingers crossed, they are not serious.

“With the 67 dwellings being built as part of this application together with the 485 dwellings and additional business units approved for land south of Long Road and west of Clacton Road, this junction will become much further congested adding to the obvious potential for more accidents.

“With the current volume, accidents are happening, individuals are being injured and worse.”

It added: “More traffic will mean less speed, granted, but with an increased chance of gridlock and more traffic will also increase the risk of accidents. Trinity Road will become a rat run.”

However, the developer said in its design and access statement the proposal will create a high-quality, sustainable heritage and landscape-led development.

It added: “This would provide a range of much-needed housing within an area that has been identified in the emerging Local Plan as a suitable settlement for housing growth.

“It will deliver a wide range of tenures, types and sizes of homes in addition to affordable housing to meet local needs.”

“Key benefits and principles of the proposals include the protection of existing ecological features and establishment of new native planting including Lime trees and other ecology enhancements to provide a net gain in biodiversity value.”