Stage two of Witham's 750 home Lodge Farm development has been given the go-ahead.

Redrow Homes' plans for the next 84 homes to be built at the Hatfield Road site have been approved by Braintree Council.

Eventually the massive new estate, which has been dubbed the Mulberries by the developer, will include 750 homes, a primary school and early years centre, an enterprise centre and retail and employment space.

Chris Gatland, head of planning for Redrow Eastern, said: “It’s fantastic to secure detailed consent for 84 new homes at our Mulberries development in Witham.

"33 of the homes in this latest phase will be affordable, making an important contribution to local housing stock.

"The new homes are part of our overall vision to deliver a truly cohesive neighbourhood and community, with a strong sense of local identity, including delivery of a primary school and early years centre, enterprise centre and allotments.

"Creating sustainable new communities is important to us, and we are finding that the wide range of homes, onsite amenities and excellent connectivity is making our new development incredibly popular, with the first phase already sold out.”

Another planning application for the next set of homes is set to follow before the end of the year.