CONTROVERSIAL plans for up to 250 homes near Little Clacton have been recommended for approval.

Local developer Kevin Britton has submitted plans for 250 dwellings and eight commercial units on Oakwood Park, with access between Thorpe Road and Fowler Road.

The plans were due to go before Tendring Council’s planning committee in February, but a decision was deferred for six months so planners could negotiate over a Section 106 legal agreement.

Planning officers have now recommended the plan for approval pending the successful completion of the negotiations over affordable housing, an education contribution and the provision of a bus service.

Little Clacton Parish Council fears the plans would open the floodgates for 1,780 homes on a neighbouring site, as has been mooted as part of Tendring Council’s draft local plan.

John Cutting, parish council chairman, said: “We are against development in this area as it could pave the way for the massive development of the site next to it.

“That site is just one mile from the centre of our village.

“The sheer impact of it would be colossal. Our infrastructure can’t cope with it.

“We don’t want to become part of Clacton or Great Clacton – we are a village in our own right.”

A spokesman for Mr Britton previously said the site has originally been earmarked for industrial and warehousing needs, but that there is a greater need for housing.

“It will make a significant contribution to meeting current housing needs in the Clacton area,” he said.

“We expect to make some contributions to local infrastructure, for example affordable housing and education.”

A decision on the plan is due to made by Tendring Council’s planning committee at a meeting at the town hallVill on Tuesday.