JUST days after councillors voted through a controversial housing development in north Grays, another homes project is looming large over the area.

Last month Thurrock councillors voted through a scheme for 54 homes in Blackshots despite strong opposition.

Now attention turns to another proposal for 200 more homes on neighbouring farmland in Grays, though National Highways has called for a three-month hold on the scheme.

Persimmon Homes Essex wants to develop land at Grey Goose Farm, land north of Long Lane.

But National Highways has recommended the application should not be approved before February 3, 2027, while further work is carried out to assess the potential impact on the road network.

It described the nearby A13/A1012 North Stifford Interchange as a "sensitive junction" and said additional modelling was needed to test whether it could accommodate traffic from the development.

The junction is also close to a number of other further proposed developments, including 126 homes on farmland on the southern edge of North Stifford. That scheme runs concurrently with two applications on neighbouring fields on the other side of the A13.

The intervention on the Blackshots site by National Highways comes after Persimmon held a public consultation earlier this year, before submitting an outline planning application to Thurrock Council in September.

The council's planning portal lists 17 public comments on the plans, 16 of which are objections.

Traffic and pressure on local services are among the concerns raised.

One objector claimed the development could add "400-600 vehicles" to surrounding roads.

They said: "The local infrastructure is already under stress and strain, making doctors' and dentists' appointments harder to get.

"There is already heavy traffic on Long Lane due to the Lower Thames Crossing works at the end of Long Lane."

Another resident, who neither supported nor opposed the plans, said there remained "a lot of unanswered questions" over the capacity of nearby schools and NHS services.

Other objections include concerns about the loss of countryside and the potential impact on wildlife.

Persimmon said the site adjoins existing development to the south and west and represents a "logical extension" to the existing settlement.

A spokesperson said: "Following a public consultation earlier this year, Persimmon Homes has submitted an outline planning application for up to 200 high-quality new homes, with half available for shared ownership or below market rent, on land at Grey Goose Farm, Grays.

"The site adjoins existing development to the south and west, making it a logical extension to the existing settlement, and would feature a landscape-led approach, increasing biodiversity by at least 10%.

"We are committed to bringing forward attractive new developments while also investing in the wider community. New cycle and pedestrian routes would encourage sustainable travel, reducing the impact on traffic locally.

"Forecasts also show there is capacity at primary and secondary schools in the area in coming years and we will also be investing in local public services and infrastructure through our developer contributions."