Plans to create a new access road to Braintree's biggest industrial estate have been accelerated to accommodate more new homes in the town.

Phase 2 Planning and Development has submitted an application on behalf of Mersea Homes and Hills Residential to extend Springwood Drive further north.

Eventually the plan is to create a new link road between the estate, which is home to more than 60 businesses, and Panfield Lane to the north of Braintree, in order to serve a planned development at Towerlands Park

The first stage of development will see a small section of road built near to Bannatyne's Gym, and adaptations made to the entrance of Braintree Recycling Centre.

The developer has now decided to expedite the creation of the new link road and also plans to up the number of homes built at Towerlands Park, a former golf and equestrian centre located off Panfield Lane.

Plans originally included a primary school, 600 homes and a neighbourhood centre including retail and health units.

However a revised screening request has been submitted for up to 700 homes, a nursery, community facilities and some retail space - but no school.

According to planners David Lock Associates, Essex County Council advised a new primary school was "no longer needed".

A planning statement reads: "The proposed development will comprise some 700 homes and is likely to include an early years and childcare nursery, community facilities, retail facilities, public open space and formal and informal recreation.

"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."

An outline application for 600 homes to be built at the site has yet to be decided on by Braintree Council.

Phase 2 Planning and Development refused to comment on its designs for a new section of road in the Springwood Drive Industrial Estate.