Plans to build 150 new homes on the edge of a town are set to move forward following a three-year delay.

Sanctuary Homes has officially purchased an area of land off Conrad Road, Witham, where it plans to build the new houses, and is seeking full approval from Braintree Council before work can begin.

The developer was given outline planning permission to create the new estate back in 2015 but its final vision has only just been unveiled following years of discussions and negotiations with councillors and residents.

The planning statement submitted alongside the plans adds: “The pre-application process has helped to develop the final masterplan proposals through a constructive and open dialogue between the local authority officers and the design team.

“The final plan incorporates a number of improvements which have resulted in a residential development that will deliver high quality places to live within a beautiful and sensitively designed setting.”

In its planning statement, Sanctuary Homes says the layout of the homes is largely similar to the original proposals put forward three years ago.

A small green area of land which was initially earmarked to be created in the middle of the estate has been enlarged and moved closer to the entrance of the site.

Changes have also been made to the size of some gardens and the distance between the homes and nearby Elm Hall Primary School.

Alterations have been made to the scheme following meetings held between architects and planning officers.

Sanctuary Homes has also made presentations to Witham Town Council and residents during a public consultation held last summer at New Rickstones Academy.

When given outline planning permission, the developer was told it would have to make a £49,360 contribution to NHS services in Witham, and pay a further £200,000 towards plans for a new community centre in Maltings Lane.

A further unspecified contribution will also be made to Essex County Council’s education department.

Forty-five of the homes will be allocated as affordable, with the remaining houses and apartments being sold privately.