RESIDENTS in West Horndon on the Thurrock border are embarking on a battle to oppose another major development on their doorstep.

Permission has already been granted for 3,700 homes at Dunton, adjacent to West Horndon - and last year Thurrock Council gave the green light to 2,100 homes between West Horndon and Bulphan – though the approval has yet to be rubber-stamped, six months on.

Tomorrow residents meet at Brentwood Council where they will present a petition containing more than 800 signatures against an application put forward by planning consultants Iceni Projects for 1,025 homes in a development called Horndon Rise to the east of Childerditch Lane.

The location of the proposed development

Villagers say the development is overbearing and, in connection with the two approved applications is a classic case of urban sprawl swamping their village community.

In December last year, there was anguish for residents in Bulphan and West Horndon when Thurrock Council controversially approved the Horndon St Marys scheme. There was considerable opposition from Essex County council's Highways team who are concerned about access arrangement and the impact on the A128m which they manage.

Essex asked Thurrock to delay of defer approval until their investigations could be complete and then considered by Thurrock. However, that request was rejected because of the urgency of the scheme in meeting new homes provision.

However, six months after approval was granted in principle by Thurrock, the decision to approve is still not confirmed.

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Thurrock Nub News asked the council what was causing the delay and today (Thursday, 9 July) were told: "A Section 106 agreement on this application is still being progressed, until that process is complete it remains pending."

Find out more about 'Horndon Rise'