A shock bid to build an extra 450 homes on the Maltings Lane estate, Witham, has been greeted with dismay by the chairman of the watchdog group which oversees the development.

The estate was built with planning permission for 800 homes plus a church, halls, playing fields and a business area.

Now the consortium of developers has warned planners it will ask for permission to add another 42 per cent.

That would bring another 1,000 or so more adults and their families into the town. A total of 113 would be affordable homes aimed at first-time buyers. "It was a shock," said Paul Heath, who leads the Maltings Lane Forum.

The developers do not want more land. They plan to replace a small number of proposed large luxury homes with many smaller buildings.

They also want to build on the two planned football pitches, which would be moved elsewhere.

"The town was told this huge estate would be for 800 or so houses when it was first discussed," said Mr Heath.

"We all thought that's what we would get, that it was set in stone.

"Perhaps we were naive.

"Witham is already badly congested and this will only make things worse. Most of the new residents will be commuters because they are the only ones who can pay the mortgages."

"What they are asking for is over the top. We have another meeting planned in a few weeks for them to show us details."

However, Mayor Jackie Martin, a member of the forum, welcomed the change. "It was a surprise, but I think it will be fine," she said.

"I see all the new houses planned for Witham as a good thing. A bigger population will attract more businesses and better shops. We will still retain our sense of community."

The proposals are submitted by Andrew Martin Associates on behalf of the consortium. They are waiting for a response from planners before submitting an official application.

"We are prepared to revise our proposals if the feedback shows there is a need for us to do so," said a spokesman.

Witham Town Council will consider the matter on January 24.

Meanwhile, Dunmow councillors fear that a regional assembly's plan to build a new village near Dunmow could destroy the character of the town.

Town councillors are outraged by the East of England Regional Assembly draft East of England Plan, which has targeted Uttlesford for 8,000 new homes, with 2,650 specifically for the Great Dunmow area.

Published Thursday January 20, 2005

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