A housing development of up to 58 homes would put an unacceptable strain on two GP practices, it is claimed.

An outline application for land south of Rickstones Road, Rivenhall, is to be discussed at a planning meeting on Tuesday.

The development would include 17 affordable homes, equivalent to 30 per cent of the development.

But NHS head of estates, Kerry Harding, believes Collingwood Road Surgery and Witham Health Centre would be adversely affected by the plans.

Objecting to the application she stated: “The proposed development is likely to have an impact on the services of two GP practices operating within the vicinity of the application site.

“The GP practices do not have capacity for the additional growth resulting from this development and cumulative development in the area.

“The development could generate approximately 139 residents and subsequently increase demand upon existing constrained services.”

A developer contribution of £21,919 would be required to mitigate the impacts of the proposal, along with a contribution of around £62,722 towards early years and childcare provision.

The application has been recommended for approval by development manager Tessa Lambert, from Braintree District Council, and has so far received just ten objection comments.

One, written by district and county councillor James Abbott, said: “This site is not allocated in the draft Braintree District Local Plan and was rejected when previously put forward.

“There are already developments built or underway for over 400 houses along Forest Road.

“There is also extant planning permission for 150 houses off Conrad Road which borders Rivenhall parish.

“The total of nearly 600 houses in the immediate area with consent were all agreed in the Local Plan; but this site was not.”

The outline planning application covers an area of 2.38ha, equivalent to the size of almost four football pitches.

Homes will have private gardens and be a mix of two and three bedrooms.

Each house will have two parking spaces or a garage, which include cycle spaces and charging points to encourage the use of electric cars.

To view the application visit publicaccess.braintree.gov.uk and use reference 17/01730/OUT.

A decision will be made on Tuesday on the application by Braintree Council.