RESIDENTS in an overcrowded village want their voices heard as more homes are set to be built.

An appeal is ongoing as to whether Gladman Developments can build 80 homes off Stone Path Meadow in Hatfield Peverel.

Residents have been campaigning against large scale developments on green areas and feel their preferences for sites are being ignored.

They are worried the neighbourhood development plan, which sets out policies and plans for the area, is being overshadowed by planning applications.

Kevin Dale who was leading the Residents' Group during the two-day appeal at Braintree Council in mid May, said: “For the want of no more than a few hours admin work, Braintree could end up costing the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds in planning appeals like this one.

"The Resident's Group has formally written to council leader Graham Butland to intervene and progress the situation."

The neighbourhood plan cannot cover strategic issues, for example major development, but can guide local issues.

It should be able to say which important green spaces will be protected, or could identify sites that are appropriate for new local shops or a small affordable housing development.

The neighbourhood development plan is still waiting to be moved on to the final stages, and residents are wondering about the hold up.

A Braintree Council spokesman said: “Hatfield Peverel Parish Council has submitted its neighbourhood plan proposal and the consultation is due to start on June 5.

"The plan will be available on our website at www.braintree.gov.uk, at our offices in Causeway House and at Hatfield Peverel Library.”

The action group said the neighbourhood plan clearly opposes development on the meadow and other greenfield sites and has allocated instead a larger, brownfield, former Arla dairy site.

They said: "The plan was painstakingly and methodically compiled with extensive consultation and assistance from residents over the past three years.

"It was submitted to Braintree Council on March 8 for progression to the final, formal legal stages.

"A transition which should normally take only two to three weeks is still with Braintree after nearly three months."

The result of the Gladman appeal is not likely to be released until mid June.