VILLAGERS battling plans for 1,000 new homes on their doorstep were left shellshocked after discovering the number has suddenly leapt to 1,100.

Parish councillors in Weeley called a meeting after “outrageous” proposals to more than double the size of their village were unveiled by Tendring Council.

The district council has unveiled its “vision” for 12,000 new homes across the Tendring district.

Weeley was earmarked for 1,000 houses over the next 17 years because it is on the rail network.

But the packed meeting was told the figure has now shot up to 1,100.

Parish council vice-chairman Carol Bannister said: “That was the first we had heard about it.

“How can it rise by ten per cent? They are changing the goalposts all the time.”

About 100 residents attended the meeting. They fear huge expansion will destroy their village.

Most of the homes are likely to be built on farmland between the Bowling Green pub and Weeley Bridge Caravan Park, if Tendring Council’s Local Plan blueprint gets the green light.

About 300 more homes could be built on fields behind the council offices in Thorpe Road.