New housing plans have been branded a "recipe for disaster" by residents who fear a fatal accident if they go ahead.

Steve Holmes said building 50 homes in Valley Road, Dovercourt, with a single access would be dangerous because children play in the street.

He said Stour Close, which would be the new estate's exit and entrance, was built as a cul-de-sac and could not cope with extra traffic.

"This is a recipe for disaster and I can honestly see someone getting killed as they cross the street," said Mr Holmes, who is chairman of the Stour Close and Clayton Residents' Action Group, which was formed in April to fight identical plans by the same developer, Bovis Homes Ltd.

He added: "Nothing has changed since the original application and we will be writing our letters of objection again."

Tendring councillors told Bovis Homes it could build the houses on condition there was another access through Valley Road.

Bovis Homes appealed against the ruling but lost on a technicality and is trying again to get permission for the site with one access.

Richard Fletcher, planning officer for Tendring Council, explained the developers discovered they could not provide the necessary second access via Valley Road because of legal reasons.

No-one at Bovis Homes was available for comment

Published Wednesday October 30, 2002

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