HUNDREDS have spoken out in concern about a huge development to the west of Braintree.

A campaign group called Stop the Erosion of Rural Communities in Local Essex was set up in opposition to a new garden community.

They had their first public meeting last week and about 100 residents from the five parishes on the Uttlesford and Braintree border discussed the campaign.

They felt the border would be swamped if the development was to go ahead, saying the site at Andrewsfield could see 13,000 houses be built over 30 years.

The group said it would cover approximately 2,500 acres of rural countryside.

Campaign Manager, Nick Buhaenko-Smith, said: "It has only been going for a few weeks, but has already gained momentum.

"Support for SERCLE's campaign is growing daily- we already have 500 signatures on our petition, and have reached over two and a half thousand people through our Facebook page and website.

"This shows the strength of local feeling against the potential destruction of the Essex countryside for the sake of an inappropriate development.

"We're not against building new houses, but they should be sustainable and located in an area which makes sense.

"West of Braintree covers a rural and ancient part of Essex, which we want to preserve for future generations."

The proposed area covers the historic Andrewsfield aerodrome and impacts four ancient woodlands.

Braintree Council agreed to pitch in £250,000 along with Colchester Council and Tendring Council to kick-start the plans.

Many residents believed the new communities were the best way forward for sustainable housing.

Braintree Council Leader Graham Butland said: “North Essex will be an area of significant growth and we are embracing the need to build new homes, create jobs and improve and develop its infrastructure for the benefit of existing and new communities.”

Three sites were put forward for the west of Braintree as potential areas for the 'garden communities'- a 1.5 hectare site at the junction of the B1256 and Blake End Road, a huge 910 hectare site being proposed by the Andrewsfield New Settlement Consortium, a group of landowners in the area, and a 135 hectare site known as Boxted Wood promoted by Galliard Homes.

Each community could contain businesses and schools, as well as county parks which would act as a buffer to the existing homes.

For more information contact info@sercle.org.uk or visit www.facebook.com/sercle.org

To sign the petition visit www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-west-of-braintree-new-settlement-development.html