A development of 85 houses and nearly ten acres of playing fields in Rayleigh has been given the green light.

The 25-acre site in Rawreth Lane will include seven acres of homes and possibly a leisure centre, Rochford Council's planning committee heard.

The development will be on the site of Park School, which closed in 1997.

A neighbourhood centre with shops, a nursery, a pub or restaurant, and a health centre will be linked to surrounding areas by footpaths and cycleways.

The submitted plans also show road access off Rawreth Lane and three pedestrian crossings.

A total of 29 letters of objection were received over worries about any increase in road congestion and extra drainage.

Published Friday October 25, 2002

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