The sleepy village of Battlesbridge is set to become a commuter town with almost 3,000 new homes.

Chelmsford Council has earmarked the quiet area for a major new housing development.

It may also have primary and secondary schools, shops, leisure facilities and better bus services to cater for its growing population as well as new industrial estates to provide jobs.

If the ambitious plans get the go-ahead Battlesbridge - famous for its antiques shops - will get between 1,900 and 2,600 new homes.

The council is also considering building 2,100-3,100 houses on the site of Runwell Hospital in addition to the 400 already planned and another 700 in South Woodham Ferrers.

The Government has ruled Chelmsford borough must find room for 11,500 new properties - a portion of the 178,000 Essex as a whole must find space for by 2016.

A panel of Chelmsford councillors have spent the last few months discussing the issue and drawing up a list of preferred locations for the homes.

Their report particularly favours land north of Burham Road, in South Woodham Ferrers, and Battlesbridge because of good rail links and the potential to develop bus services.

It is hoped new homes would help fund new schools, and attract recreational and leisure facilities.

Battlesbridge currently has no primary school, park or shops.

New homes would ideally be built within 800 metres of a new or improved rail station - Battlesbridge's facility is already in line for an Edwardian-type makeover.

Battlesbridge and Runwell have also been identified as areas suitable for new businesses to move into large-scale industrial areas lining the route of the A130 and rail link.

Chelmsford councillor Eileen Mickelborough (Con, Rettendon, Runwell), who represents part of Battlesbridge, said she would oppose so many new homes in the village.

She added: "It is a lot of new homes but we do have to accept there are going to be a lot of new homes in the Chelmsford area and Battlesbridge will probably have to take some.

Mrs Mickelborough said she planned to ask fellow councillors to put off discussing the issue at tonight's meeting so it could be considered in greater detail.

If and when councillors do back the plans, they will go out to public consultation before being formerly adopted.

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