RESIDENTS attended a special meeting of Southminster Parish Council to discuss a controversial planning application to build more than 200 homes.

Around 100 residents attended the meeting, which was called to discuss a planning application from Taylor Wimpey to construct up to 220 houses on land north of Homefield.

Hundreds of letters objecting to the proposal have been sent to Maldon District Council.

Concerns include the capacity at Southminster Medical Centre and lack of primary and secondary school places, as well as highway issues and the village’s infrastructure.

Adrian Fluker, who is a member of both Maldon District Council and the parish council, answered questions at the meeting.

Meanwhile, members of the public have shared their concerns in objections to the planning application.

One said the proposed development is “too large” for the village of Southminster in light of other applications and new housing developments around David Fisher Way.

He said: “The village is not sustainable for the number of properties proposed in the application.

“The school is already heavily subscribed and the health centre would be overwhelmed.

“The long promised extended health centre with funding for additional doctors  has still not materialised even though the additional housing has been in place for a few years now.”

Another objector said: “The current residents of Homefield will suffer major adverse impact to their current privacy due to the proposed new houses fronting on to the existing homes”

A third said: "There are already many houses for sale in Southminster.

"The local services can not support more people and vehicles the new-build property will bring."

Another said: “The local schools will not be able to place the extra students, while the local highways are not capable of carrying the construction traffic. 

“The carbon footprint that would be made from the commuters will increase by a very substantial proportion.”

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “We’re pleased to have submitted a planning application for up to 220 high-quality new homes, public open space, and financial contributions for community benefits in Southminster. 

“Following engagement with the community - including two days of public exhibitions held in Southminster in July 2023 - we are now working closely with Maldon District Council to review and respond to the issues raised by the community.”