Residents have expressed concerns that nothing is being done to reduce emissions on a new housing development.

Plans to build 1,000 homes on the Braintree and Bocking border have been given the green light.

Gallagher Estates has been granted outline planning permission to construct a new development on the land to the east of Broad Road.

Resident David Rulton has raised concerns about the lack of plans to reduce emissions and save energy.

He said: “There are no plans for solar panels on the new houses or anything to reduce emissions.

“I was there at the planning committee meeting and a question was asked about what plans are in place to reduce emissions, and they said there are none.

“I’m not worried about the development in itself – we are on the other side of Broad Road. I’m just concerned about the lack of planning.”

The proposal includes provision of a new primary school and early years facilities, new community spaces and a small business centre for retailers, cafes and restaurants.

Mr Rulton added: “I would like to see all the new houses having solar panels from the start and possibly the new business park including a wind turbine on there.

“The council claims to be working to reduce emissions. They are putting in electric car parking stations in other areas of Braintree so why can’t things be included in these plans?

“I just think it is very irresponsible for them not to be looking at putting renewable energy on there.”

A Braintree Council spokesman said: “We’ve been able to secure a number of sustainability measures for the development over and above national guidelines, including electric vehicle charging point requirements.

“We were also able to make sure that all the employment buildings on the development should meet the BREEAM ‘very good’ category which is the world leading sustainability assessment.

“The approved design code which the developers will have to comply with makes it clear that the development must have a thermally-efficient approach to home insulation and energy consumption reduction.

“The developers will also have to comply with building regulations which set minimum standards for design, construction and alterations, and cover issues such as thermal efficiency and water efficiency.”