RAYNE could be saved from housing development as planning officers recommended no sites were put forward for the district's Local Plan.

Three new sites were put forward for Braintree's Call for Sites this year, which could have seen about 200 homes in Rayne.

Rayne Parish Council said it appreciates there is a need to build new homes but this need should be spread across the district.

In a report which shall be looked at during a Local Plan Committee meeting, the parish council said: "Infrastructure is a major concern in all Local Plans that have been viewed and it is critical that the infrastructure shortcomings are fully and completely addressed before any building commences.

"Communication will be a paramount factor in the success of the overall plan and it is hoped the recent issues with the council are properly resolved at the earliest opportunity so as to facilitate that effective communication.

"In conclusion we support the Local Plan concept and hope that the points made above are properly considered and taken into account.”

Sites proposed were the land east of School Road, where 200 homes could be built, land near The Swan pub and a 4.6 hectare site with access onto Rayne Road.

Planning officers said the site at School Road acts as a buffer between Rayne, the A120 and Great Notley.

They said: "Development of this scale is not necessary for Rayne and would be out of scale with the existing village.

"If a smaller development was considered necessary, then the northern area may be appropriate, as it would not encroach significantly into the separation between the village and the A120."

They also said development would be inappropriate next to The Swan pub as it would be an unnatural extension of the village.

The officers recommended no sites are allocated for residential development in the draft Local Plan.

The sites will be discussed at a Local Plan Committee meeting on Monday, May 9.