CONTROVERSIAL plans for a massive development of more than 1,000 homes have been given the go-ahead.
Chelmsford City Council gave the green light for housing on land north-west of Hamberts Farm, Burnham Road, in South Woodham Ferrers.
The 277-acre site, owned by Essex County Council will be utilised for the development.
The outline application is for a residential development of up to 1,020 homes and up to 88-bedroom units of residential care accommodation.
The plans look to build a total of 663 market homes and 357 social homes.
There are also plans for a two-form entry primary school and early years facilities.
The plans are expected to create almost 100 jobs.
The proposal also includes a multi-purpose community centre, highway infrastructure, pedestrian, cycle and bridleway routes, vehicular and cycle parking, and demolition of existing buildings.
South Woodham Ferrers Town Council had opposed the development
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During the planning meeting, a town council spokesman said: “South Woodham Ferrers Town Council does not support this application.
“Our reasoning is the impact on existing residents through congestion and road safety, the absence of a thorough assessment by the highway authority as well as drainage and sewerage concerns.
“In our town’s neighbourhood plans, our residents expected the need for extra housing and that South Woodham Ferrers must take its burden of new development.
“We accept the applicant has made some progress in alleviating some concerns since the masterplan submission, but we feel it's too little too late.
“We have concerns about extra traffic travelling clockwise in particular around the town along Ferrers Road as it seeks to avoid the congestion and junctions created by the development, despite the developers’ traffic modelling seeming to suggest a miraculous fall in traffic after the development.”
Concerns remain over the capacity constraints of the A132 leading to the Rettendon Turnpike.
Ian Roberts, Chelmsford city councillor for South Woodham Ferrers, said: “In the last five years, Maldon district has had several developments along the Crouch Valley, near the railway and of course the highway that leads straight to South Woodham Ferrers.
“I think it needs to be refused, with asking officers to go back and look at the traffic situation and talk to Maldon District Council.”
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