Proposals to build 450 more new homes south of Witham have caused uproar at a council meeting

Witham Town Council's planning committee heard a request from a developer to increase the amount of homes at Maltings Lane.

Under proposals submitted by Andrew Martin Associates on behalf of the Maltings Lane development consortium, the number of housing units allowed on the site would grow by 52 per cent, from 858 to about 1,310.

But at last night's meeting, councillor Michael Lager accused the developer of 'decimating' the carefully structured plan for Maltings Lane negotiated over several years.

Mr Lager (Con, Chipping Hill and Central Ward) said: "I'm just outraged at this proposal because the original idea was not just for another housing estate but a whole new community complete with facilities."

Town council leader Steve Goodfellow (Lab, North Ward) said he was 'alarmed' at the developer's 'outrageous and totally unacceptable' proposal.

But other members of the council's ruling Labour group urged caution until details of the plans were published. The committee voted to note the proposal and discuss it further at future meetings when more details are available.

The developer said the increased housing on the site would meet Government regulations on housing density.

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Published Tuesday, January 25, 2005

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