OUTRAGED residents have vowed to fight a planning application to build 500 homes in Hullbridge.

The site, west of Malyons Lane, was identified by Rochford District Council in its housing plan for the next ten years and will have room for 250 homes between 2015 and 2021, and another 250 in the following four years.

The homes would be built in the south-west quadrant of Hullbridge, and on green belt land.

The application has been submitted to the council and could be decided by February next year.

Brian Carleton, former chartered surveyor and chairman of Hullbridge Residents’ Association, said: “I don’t know if we can put a petition together or call a referendum, but we are not giving up on stopping this development.

“I made six submissions to the council and raised 284 issues before the allocations document was decided, but it seems we haven’t been listened to.

“People are up in arms about the whole application. It won’t just affect those immediately around the site, it will affect the whole village and surrounding area.”

In the plans, 325 homes would be sold on the open market, 140 would be for social housing and 35 for intermediate housing.

Residents are concerned about access into the village, with Watery Lane and Lower Road the only effective ways in and out of Hullbridge.

Flooding is also a concern, as is the likely strain on public services such as schools and healthcare.

Ian Ward, Rochford district councillor responsible for planning, said: “We have a requirement within the district to provide housing over the years up to 2025.

“These homes will be spread over that time and nothing will be built until we are absolutely satisfied the infrastructure required is in place and sustainable.”

The plans have been submitted by Landhold Capital, working in partnership with Phase 2 Planning and Development and acting on behalf of the land owner.

However, no decision on the application or another for 500 more homes to the west of Rayleigh, will be made until a decision is reached in a High Court hearing between campaigner Linda Kendall and Rochford District Council.

Ms Kendall is challenging the extent of the council’s public consultation through the development of its allocations document, which identifies specific sites for housing in the district.

WHAT WORRIED VILLAGERS ARE SAYING ON FACEBOOK

Phil Warren: “It looks inevitable this will go ahead despite our objections. We will have to change our fencing to make it more secure now. Will there be any help with that?”

Nadia Medynski: “If this new build is anything like either of the ones I lived in in Norfolk, the roads will be narrow with little parking.

“The houses were so packed in that the roads were too narrow, so when you came across a bus, you had nowhere to go.

“These plots were much bigger than the one in Hullbridge. I can’t imagine any village feel to this new build.

“I’m looking forward to never getting a doctor’s appointment, or ever being able to get out of Hullbridge.”

Trina Corbett: “They are very clever at making it sound a wonderful proposal. Nothing addresses the issues the villagers have raised throughout this fight.

“The whole plan is just more waffle from a bunch of people who don’t care about any of us, our village or the damage this development will cause.”

Anna Clarke: “Ask any villager, if Watery Lane is shut due to flooding as a result of unsuitable drainage, it can take 40 minutes plus to even get out of the village in rush hour with current traffic, let alone with 1,000-plus extra residents.

“The Fairglen Interchange is heavy with traffic, and cars crawl up to it most mornings, and Rayleigh is unbearable due to the crawling traffic, both during rush hour and at weekends.”