A CONTROVERSIAL developer has submitted fresh plans to build a 120 home housing estate.

Gladman Developments has submitted the outline application for land off North End in Southminster to Maldon District Council.

Last year a planning inspector rejected its appeal to build 220 homes on a plot between North End and New Moor Farm.

Gladman has also previously submitted plans for 240 homes on the site.

The current plans are for the 120 homes on a 4.76 hectare site, at the southern edge of Southminster, which is currently in use as agricultural land.

Gladman has described the bid as a “high quality sustainable development”.

The planning statement said: “The emphasis for the development is to produce high quality houses and buildings that are enduring, desirable and attractive creating a high quality place.

“Drawing reference from local character and materials from the surrounding area will help to deliver a modern, well designed development that respects it’s setting.”

Earlier this year it held a public consultation on the plans.

But Gladman said they had only received five responses – three against the development and two offering positive and negative views.

A number of the responses called for the application to be dropped.

In a response to the consultation, David Fisher, of Hall Road, said: “Whilst I am not completely against seeing even more new development in Southminster, what does concern me is with the ever increasing population it is Southminster’s limited services that are pushed, used and stretched to their limits.

“In particular the medical centre, which has already expanded over the past years to its limits, both outwards and upwards.

“To actually see an additional building, centrally in the village to house more medical services would be wonderful, and is a service which most residents frequently use.”

In a letter responding to the consultation Brian Dobinson, of Homefield, Southminster, said: “This development is unneeded and unwanted. The village is already full to bursting.

“The existing infrastructure can’t cope now, let along with more homes.

“The volume of traffic is already high and will get worse with this.”

Maldon District Council is expected to decide on the plans by July.