PLANS for the first stage of a huge 500-house development in Rayleigh have been submitted for consideration to Rochford District Council.

Developers Countryside are aiming to build the new housing estate on land north of London Road and south of Rawreth Lane.

An outline planning application for the 500 houses was approved by Rochford District Council last year, and now a more in-depth application has been submitted for the first phase, which will feature 192 houses.

The road linking London Road and Rawreth Lane would be traffic controlled to prevent it being used as a rat run and there would be 68 affordable homes.

An area of land has been reserved so that it could be used by Essex County Council for a new primary school should it be required and there is also provision for a new health centre.

Andrew Carrington, managing director of strategic land at Countryside, said: “Phase one will start to make a good contribution to housing needs in the district and we’ve already received interest from potential new residents.

“We are proud of the plans we have developed, which focus on creating a sense of place and community within an attractive landscape.”

Bruce Smart, Lib Dem councillor for Sweyne Park, said: “The application has been approved so the houses are going to be built there whether we like it or not.What we need to do is campaign to make sure that the facilities the residents will need are going to be put there as well.”

He added it was important the new roads were adopted by Essex County Council quickly so Essex Highways would be responsible for the maintenance.