A DEFIANT council has vowed to fight an appeal for a “wholly unnecessary and unwelcome” bid for 200 homes in a village.

Gladman Developments applied for outline permission to build the homes on land off Barbrook Lane in Tiptree last year.

The bid also included a new medical centre, car parking facility, sustainable drainage system and children’s play area.

But Colchester Council threw out the plans in January saying it would be outside the settlement boundary.

It added it would have “a significant effect or an adverse effect” on a special protection area and no details had been provided on potential archaeological remains and interests.

Planners also criticised a lack of agreement on providing 30 per cent affordable housing.

But land developer Gladman appealed against the decision.

A public inquiry is set to be held, at a date yet to be announced, to determine the application.

Gladman had claimed the homes plan was a “logical extension” of Tiptree and would complement the character of the area.

In its statement the developer said: “It will be demonstrated there are no material adverse impacts arising from the appeal proposal, which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits the development will offer.”

It claims the Colchester Development Plan is out of date and the council cannot show a five year land supply.

But the council refutes the claims. It says the planned site is not allocated for development and no Section 106 agreement had been reached.

In a statement it said: “The use of the identified land for residential purposes is wholly unnecessary and unwelcome.

“The appellant has identified a series of benefits that would accrue from the development taking place but the council will conclude that neither singly nor in combination would these outweigh the fundamental harm that would arise from allowing the appeal proposal.”

The controversial plans sparked dozens of objection comments and saw MP Priti Patel join forces with residents to oppose the bid.