Angry Billericay residents are ready to fight plans for a housing development in Perry Street which one opponent has described as 'monstrous'.

Campaigners claim the four to five bedroomed properties planned would constitute a serious overcrowding of the proposed site and might set a dangerous precedent for future building projects in the town.

The development, being considered by Billericay Area Committee tonight (Thursday), would see five detached two storey houses established on land currently occupied by two bungalows and parts of the garden areas behind three other houses.

Raven Lane resident, Kathleen Wood, who lives behind the site, said: "I think the plans are monstrous and putting five houses on this site is serious overcrowding.

"The houses are very large and completely out of character with the area, which is largely made up of bungalows and small two storey houses.

"If this gets the go-ahead developers will think anything will be allowed in the town."

Basildon District Council has already received 21 letters of objection and been notified of the opposition of both Billericay's town council and Residents' Association.

Other concerns include worries over increased traffic, access to the houses and worries on the over shadowing of neighbouring homes.

Now opponents of the scheme are hoping district councillors will support their stand.

John Gladmin, from Raven Lane, said: "No consideration seems to have been given to the people living in the surrounding area. These are massive houses which will be overlooking existing properties."

Kerry Owens, from Perry Street, said: "I do not have a problem with them building more houses, but these are simply too big and something needs to be done about traffic on this road before any new developments."

Another Perry Street resident added: "Frankly the plans are not very well looked upon around here."

Council officers, however, do not consider the development as too dense and have recommended the approval of Biminster Homes' plans. This is because the proposals are viewed as fulfilling the council's requirements for access, garden size, parking provision and separation of buildings.

The development also finds favour with officers as the council is coming under increasing pressure from the Government to designate non-green field areas for housing. The land under consideration fits into this category.

Town council chairman, Trevor Stansfield, said: "I agree we need more housing, but the development must be sympathetic. This will be a precedent and reference for future developments like it, therefore it should respond to the concerns of the surrounding area."

The project's Chelmsford based designers CHBC Architects did not want to make any comment due to client confidentiality.

Billericay Area Committee meets tonight at 7.30pm in the Billericay Day Centre in Chantry Way.

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