A controversial development of 118 homes in Cressing will go ahead after details of the look and scale of the plans were approved.

Braintree Council’s planning committee has rubber stamped Bellway Homes’ plans for the new estate on land east of Mill Lane, Tye Green.

Residents submitted 165 objections to the initial proposals, raising concerns about access, infrastructure and the nearby protected lanes.

Ward councillor James Abbott (Green, Silver End and Cressing) spoke at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday, January 2, on behalf of Cressing Parish Council.

He said: “This development is another example of the failure to deliver sustainable development.

“Available good policy is simply not being applied and I would urge the committee to reconsider before things go too far and it is too late to avoid significant harm to the adjacent environmentally protected lanes.”

Councillor Kevin Bowers (Conservative, Silver End and Cressing) was the only councillor on the committee to vote against the development, saying he could not ignore residents' opposition.

Gabrielle Spray (Conservative, The Colnes) said the committee was left with little choice but to approve.

“We did give outline permission so it is what it is,” she said.

“Given that, and given we need the homes, I do just hope Bellway will make as good a start with this, if we approve it this evening, as they have done at with the development in Colchester Road Halstead, where I must say they have hit the ground running.”