Dumped medical waste is still buried on a disused hospital site, according to a nearby resident.

Braintree Council is investigating allegations of swabs, needles and medical waste bags at the disused William Julien Courtauld Hospital, in London Road, Braintree.

The concerns were raised by John Jemison, of Walnut Grove, at a meeting of Braintree Council’s planning committee last Tuesday.

Councillors approved a renewed application from developers to demolish the hospital and build 29 new homes on the site.

Speaking during the meeting’s public question time, Mr Jemison said: “Both residents and site workers have found such things as swabs, needles, yellow medical waste bags and all manner of broken medical glassware."