A CAMPAIGNER has warned north Essex might not have seen the back of the West Tey new town quite yet after raising concerns about a statement released by the Government.

Last week planning inspector Roger Clews threw out Colchester, Braintree and Tendring councils plans for two garden communities at West Tey, up to 24,000 homes, and to the west of Braintree, up to 10,000.

But Mr Clews praised plans for a third garden community of up to 9,000 homes near Wivenhoe and Elmstead Market.

Following his ruling, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government released a statement which has raised alarm bells with some campaigners.

The department applauded the ambition of the authorities and said it would examine the planning process to see if the decision “raises any questions for how large sites are examined in the future”.

It added the inspector’s recommendation “does not preclude any revised proposals for those or similar garden communities emerging in the longer term”.

A spokesman said: “The Government is working hand-in-hand with communities to deliver much-needed new homes across the country.

“We remain committed to supporting new garden communities and helping these schemes to get off the ground.”

Following the announcement, the inspector’s ruling was welcomed by campaigners across north Essex but some have urged caution.

Neil Gilbranch, a Copford resident who spoke out against the West Tey plans throughout the process, said the ministry’s statement had left him with unanswered questions.

“My concern is we have not seen the last of West Tey,” he said.

“It may not come back in the same form it was presented before but it would still be a few thousands houses.

“The Government is pressing ahead with putting together a large garden community programme. Essex was by far the biggest. I do not see them letting go of this quite so easy.”

He added: “The Government wants to do this and I think it is misleading for people to now be thinking the argument has been won.”