VILLAGERS fear they could be swamped by new homes because there are no guidelines in place stating where housing should go in Tendring.

The district council was forced to bin its Local Plan – a blueprint for future housing – and go back to the drawing board after being told it would be rejected by the Government.

Parish councillors in Alresford fear that leaves the door open to speculative property developers and could lead to a flood of new homes.

They said developers could even try to build on green belt land if there was no Local Plan in place.

The parish council said a developer wanted to build 145 homes on fields off Cockaynes Lane in Alresford.

In a statement, its planning committee said: “The number of homes indicated and the controversial planned access via this ancient and sensitive location is contrary to all outcomes from previous planning discussions.

“It is reasonable to expect limited, sustainable and proportionate development in thriving villages such as Alresford, but the current lack of policy appears to be giving developers a free hand to decide housing numbers and road layout.

“This cannot be right and is not democratic.”

Tendring Council planning boss Carlo Guglielmi said there were more than 50 other authorities in the same position.

“I share the concerns that Alresford Parish Council has,” he said.

“We have been extremely fortunate we have not had any large developments coming forward.”

Mr Guglielmi said the council was working on getting a new Local Plan in place and a meeting would be held on October 21.