Residents are up in arms over a proposal to put 300 new homes on what is currently arable farmland on the outskirts of Halstead.
On Tuesday, Gladman Developments formally requested a screening opinion from Braintree Council in connection with proposals for a new housing estate off Oak Road, south of the town.
Developers will ask councils for a screening opinion to find out whether they would need to pay for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out prior to the submission of a planning application.
But news of the proposal has sparked alarm for nearby residents.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here