Bovis Homes is to be the developer of a scheme to build 145 homes on former playing field land in Lifstan Way, Southchurch.

Protesters are battling to stop detailed planning permission being given for the development.

South East Essex College principal Jan Hodges said the land sale some months ago for an undisclosed sum had allowed the college's move to its new campus in the centre of Southend.

She said: "Without the sale of the land, which was agreed with Bovis Homes some months ago, I would not be sitting here."

Campaigner Albany Harvey, who lives in Southchurch Boulevard, claimed the college no longer required the money from the sale of the former municipal college playing fields.

He said: "If the Lifstan Way site can raise £5m on 145 dwellings, what could be raised by the large-scale projects now intended for (old college sites) Carnarvon Road and London Road? There is no longer any justification for the destruction of the playing fields."

Mr Harvey, a former Labour councillor, called on Southend Council once again to reject the plans.

Outline permission to build 93 houses and a further 52 flats was agreed by the development control committee in 2002.

Published Friday September 3, 2004

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