DOZENS of angry residents gathered in protest against plans to build 120 homes on a crowded estate.

Hatfield Peverel residents have fought against plans by David Wilson Homes to build the homes off Gleneagles Way since last year.

Brenda Smith, of Ferndown Way, said: "All the traffic to this estate has to come through Gleneagles Way.

"It's not so much the housing, it's how people are going to access the site.

"When we have got 120 homes plus vehicles for the works it will just be a nightmare, it's bad enough as it is.

"It's just so dangerous, it's a nightmare waiting to happen and we have tried before to stop it."

Last summer 101 people opposed the outline bid to build 145 homes there.

This application was refused by planning committee because it would intrude into the countryside and no appeal was lodged against the decision.

Before Easter plans were submitted again and are due to be discussed next week.

On Tuesday, residents gathered to show their opposition - it follows Witham MP Priti Patel questioning Braintree Council over the handling of planning applications in the village.

Resident Andrew Simmonds said: "Imagine all the extra traffic approaching at 60mph, backing up onto the trunk-road trying to access this new housing estate and the already gridlocked Maldon Road junction with The Street.

"This an accident blackspot waiting to happen."

Villagers were surprised to hear Highways bosses raised no objections to the plans.

Mr Simmonds said: "Traffic jams, car fumes and air pollution levels are likely to become intolerable when combined with the hundreds of extra vehicles using the station from the new developments in Witham and Heybridge.

"I just can not understand it, the village residents and parish council have worked diligently and patiently over the last three years in partnership with our district councillors, to produce the first Neighbourhood Development Plan in the district, it's the flagship Neighbourhood Plan for Braintree."

Last month, despite hundreds of objections, Braintree Council approved 140 houses at Stonepath Meadow.

Mr Simmonds said: "I am so annoyed.

"They want to bulldoze over a historically and ecologically valuable Stonepath Meadow and place more houses at Gleneagles right next to a busy, overloaded trunk road."

In a design statement, the developer said: "Full consideration has been given to the existing nature of the site and surrounding area, the constraints

identified and the opportunities to deliver a sustainable development that makes a positive contribution to the character of the existing village."