DEVELOPERS want to build 600 homes, a primary school and retail facilities on a former golf course and equestrian centre in Braintree.

An application for a screening opinion request was submitted by David Locke Associates on behalf of The Unex Group last Tuesday.

The application will decide whether the development, on the former Towerlands Park, off of Panfield Lane, would have a significant impact on the environment and the council will then decide whether an environmental impact assessment should be made.

The mixed use centre closed in July 2012 and has been empty since.

It has been identified as a strategic growth location within Braintree Council’s Draft Local Plan.

Plans include 600 new homes, a percentage of which will be affordable homes, a stand-alone early year’s facility and nursery, shops and recreational outdoor space.

A primary school could also be built on the development, or a contribution would be made towards provision locally.

Essex County Councillor Stephen Canning (Conservative, Bocking) said: “There is a complete acceptance from most people that we do need more housing, but we need housing that brings with it all the associated infrastructure.

“I am sure a lot of people in Bocking agree that it is a shame to have such a large space of land not being used for anything and they would prefer somewhere like this is developed as opposed to green open spaces.

“It looks like the developers are creating a proposal to try and be sensitive with local infrastructure and that is good news.”

A planning statement states: “The site area is 31.39 hectares of predominantly brownfield land and a former golf course to the north-west of Braintree which is accessed from Deanery Hill and Panfield Lane.

“The proposal can be satisfactorily accommodated on the site with a mix of properties at a suitable density that will respect the character and appearance of this rural edge of the town and that of adjacent development.”

The statement says that the development would be a “logical extension to the existing settlement to the south” - a further 600 homes, neighbourhood centre and employment space proposed for land West of Panfield Lane.

More than 1,000 homes are also proposed for land at Straits Mill, Bocking.

Ward councillor Stephanie Paul (Conservative, Bocking North) said: “I have not heard anything about this site from my constituents but I am aware of it because of the local plan. The local plan is very much in its draft stages and could still change.

“If it goes through to the next stage and my constituents raise concerns then I will raise it with the relevant authorities. Bocking is a beautiful area and we want to ensure it stays that way - so overdevelopment is concern.”

Concerns were raised that a previous screening request for 1,150 homes and associated development on the entirety of the former Towerlands Park was too large.

Once the screening request has been evaluated, the developer will return with a planing application.