FURIOUS campaigners are attempting to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to fight plans for 633 homes.

Hundreds of residents are ready to put their hands in their pockets to launch a legal challenge against Bloor Homes’ plans to build homes off Ashingdon Road, Rochford.

Plans for the first stage of the development - consisting of 223 homes - are set to get the green light from council bosses next week.

Christine Austin, organiser of the Rochford Supporters campaign group, said: “We are talking about raising legal fees to help the council fight Bloor if the development goes ahead.

“It depends if the council can accept it and it could be £200,000 for the legal fees which is not much per person.

“We’ve got 80,000 residents which would be about £2.50 per person.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Fight - Rochford supporters with MP James Duddridge

“We’re getting offers of £100 and it’s a desperate move by us but it may work and would be wonderful for the councillors to have the support like this.

“I think it could be the first time residents have done this and so would be a landmark move.”

Residents fear Ashingdon Road is “far from the most suitable place” for a major homes development and would have a detrimental impact on the area.

Cheryl Roe, Conservative deputy leader of Rochford District Council, said: “These are desperate measures from the residents and I think it’s a lovely thing to do.

“Councillors are criticised either way and the residents understand we’re in a difficult situation and that’s why they’re doing what they are doing.

“I feel this is overdevelopment and greed and I am worried about children using the road and area.

“It’s lovely for residents to do this for councillors.”

Rochford District Council is expected to agree the plans at a meeting on Thursday.

The council is demanding the developer pays various cash contributions to the community if the controversial plans are agreed.

This consists of £125.58 per home to be built, up to a total of £82,882.80 to mitigate impact from increased recreational activity on international sites of ecological importance along the district’s coastline.

Surgery included in plan

A NEW GP surgery could come with plans for hundreds of homes in Rochford.

Despite complaints from residents, a host of community benefits are being considered in the plans for more than 600 homes.

The major proposal also includes initial plans for a potential medical centre, a children’s nursery or other community spaces - including a drop-off area for parents at Holt Farm School.

It also includes a play area, outdoor youth facility and allotments - as well as plans for a mountain bike trail.

The planning statement reads: “The development will offer further community benefits including funding towards a range of community benefits as requested by the council to deliver education, health, community facilities and improved public transport links.

“The development will also improve off-site highway features to improve the highway network and investment in improved cycle and pedestrian links to reduce the reliance on the private car.”

An access route would be created at Percy Cottis Road.

'We're doing all we can' 

BOSSES at Bloor Homes say they are injecting millions of pounds to help improve the village.

A spokesman said: “Although we certainly understand concerns raised, the site off Ashingdon Road has been allocated for residential development by the Rochford District Council Local Plan since 2014.

“Bloor Homes has worked closely with residents, councillors, the schools and parish councils to design a scheme that can bring quality new homes alongside more than £5million of additional social infrastructure to the area including money for schools, health services and a new community building.

“We are confident this proposal can deliver the new homes Rochford needs in an environmentally sustainable way whilst meeting the required highways and planning standards.”