Plans for the management of construction traffic for the Westcombe Park development in Heybridge - previously known as the North Heybridge Garden Suburb - have been approved by Maldon district councillors.

Temporary access points will now be put in place to allow construction traffic to build the Broad Street Green Road roundabout and start construction on the western section of the relief road from Langford Road, after the plans were given the green light by the district planning committee last night (Thursday, 2 December).

Mr Coleman, from Phase 2 Planning and Development, said the junctions need to be built so the new "vital" relief road between Broad Street Green Road and Langford Road can be built for the homes.

"In order to build the junctions, we need somewhere for our construction traffic to get access - hence why we're applying for temporary access," he said.

A district council planning officer told the committee "this is the most effective way for the construction of the whole site", just north of Heybridge, where 1,138 homes are set to be built by developer Countryside Properties.

Members raised concerns about the impact of the plans on traffic for Heybridge residents during the lengthy debate.

Councillor Stephen Nunn said: "We're looking at two of the fastest roads, regardless of the speed limits, and straightest roads in our area - Maypole Road and Broad Street Green.

"Are we absolutely sure that the mitigation that's been put forward is sufficient, given the dangerous nature of those roads?"

Councillor Anne Beale added: "Countryside is talking about working on two out of three of the main roads into Heybridge on that side."

The planning officer noted there had been no objections raised by Essex Highways, while Mr Coleman also said "the main point of having a construction access is to get our traffic off the public highway and onto the site".

Councillor Nunn also raised concerns about there being "an awful lot of tree felling going on along Maypole Road recently".

His fears were echoed by Councillor Kevin Lagan, who said: "I find it very hypocritical that we're talking about ripping out trees and we're talking about greening and saving our spaces when poor old Heybridge is going the same way as poor old Maldon.

"I understand houses have to be built, but I'd like to see more planting, more greening, more wildlife.

"We've conditioned the hell out of this thing, but I still don't think there will be enough put in there to mitigate the destruction this will cause."

The planning officer told the committee that "no further trees than those that the inspector considered under the hybrid application are going to be felled under this application".

The controversial development to build 1,138 homes on the site, just north of Heybridge, was given the go ahead by district councillors in October 2019.

The district council had initially turned down the application, but did not defend its decision when Countryside Properties launched an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

The application considered by the council last night only concerns the temporary access points for construction traffic from Maypole Road and Broad Street Green Road, which will be in place for no longer than two years.

Mr Coleman said: "Once these two new junctions are constructed, then these temporary access points can be closed and we'll switch to using the new relief road junctions."

District councillors moved to accept the plans with a condition, proposed by Councillor Adrian Fluker, to keep the highway clear of dust and mud for 150m either side of the junction.