Tolleshunt Knights Parish Council has recommended that the proposal to build 97 new homes in the village be refused, saying that it does not have the facilities or infrastructure to "support a development of this size".

The parish council published its formal objection to the proposal on its website today, in which it said that the "lack of facilities and minimal public transport" in the village would make "access to essential services difficult" for new residents.

Councillors added that the existing medical facilities in the village "are already inadequate to meet its current needs", and said that "the addition of 253 persons from this proposed development in Tolleshunt Knights could leave residents without proper reasonable access to doctors and dentists".

The parish council's fears surround an application by the Kler Group to build homes on the land east and west of Top Road in south west Tolleshunt Knights.

The parish council also cited concerns about the development "urbanising" the village, causing "further pollution" and disrupting the nearby monastery of St John the Baptist, which lies within 200 metres of the eastern boundary of the eastern site.

The potential increase in traffic on Top Road as a result of the development also featured in the parish council's objection, which said it would put "members of the public at risk from vehicles leaving the new development".

The parish council's objection follows a meeting of over 200 residents at the village hall, in which they expressed their concerns about the proposal.

It has also received strong objection from residents online and, out of the 34 letters received on the proposal so far, 32 are objections.

One objector, who has lived in the village for 24 years, called the proposal "downright dangerous".

They said: "This proposal will significantly reduce the quality of life of the present villagers and put a strain on all the resources of Tiptree, in which new houses are still being built.

"We moved here for a quieter pace of life and to witness it being turned into a cut-through racing track is heartbreaking.

"I only hope common sense prevails and that the village remains as it is."

You can read the parish council's objection to the application in full using the link here.

Maldon District Council will make the final decision.