AN application has been submitted to Thurrock Council to build 178 new homes in a green belt site in Fobbing.

The scheme to create a large estate on the site of the former Vange Water Works off the High Road at Fobbing has been submitted by Bellway Homes.

Nearby Basildon Council has already quickly come out against the scheme, calling it inappropriate development in the green belt and saying it would cause substantial harm to the green belt with no special circumstances to justify it.

The site is currently used for commercial storage and highway engineering activities by Kier Construction (who are building Thurrock Council's A13 road widening scheme), having been vacated by the waterworks company.

The application seeks to demolish the existing buildings and structures and redevelop the site to provide 178 homes.

Full details of the application can be found here.

Bellway say the site will provide high quality housing, including affordable housing which will contribute to meeting the housing need of the borough.

They add the proposals provide a mix of housing, meeting the needs for individuals, couples and smaller families as well as larger families within Thurrock.

The development will consist of 12 one bed, 48 two beds, 88 three bed and 30 four bed homes, of which 62 dwellings will be designated as affordable.

Three nearby residents have already posted their objections to the scheme and local comments are invited via Thurrock Council's planning portal here.

Full details of the application can be found here.