EXTRA time has been allowed to finalise a legal agreement as part of a controversial scheme to build 250 new homes near Little Clacton.

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 proposal already has outline consent, but legal agreements have not yet been hammered out.

Tendring Council’s planning committee agreed on Tuesday night to extend the deadline to October 31.

The negotiations are over affordable housing, a contribution to education and the provision of a bus service.

Head of planning Cath Bicknell said: “There are no changes to this application – we are just asking for a few more weeks to complete the agreement.”

Earlier in the year members of the committee imposed 27 conditions on the scheme. They heard Essex County Council was looking for more than £800,000 towards education services as part of the application. The developers were offering less and Tendring Council officers want more information from both sides.

The site – part of Oakwood Business Park – was previously earmarked for employment use but planners said that was no longer viable and it has now been redesignated for housing.

Little Clacton Parish Council fears the plans would open the floodgates for 1,780 homes on a neighbouring site.