Maldon's MP, The Rt Hon John Whittingdale, has responded to concerns raised by villagers over the threat of a 280% population increase in Althorne.

Members of the Crouch Valley Defence Group sent a letter to Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, warning him that Althorne could be 'overwhelmed' if Maldon District Council allows developers to build 1,750 new homes there.

The letter has been signed by 179 residents so far, who feel the 'disproportionate' impact in Althorne could negatively affect their quality-of-life.

Speaking to Nub News, Mr Whittingdale described the threat of development in the village as 'completely unrealistic'.

He explained: "There is no such proposal."

"Because of COVID, and delay in development, the district has no longer got a five-year land supply, which is required by the government.

"Councils have to identify land where development could take place over the next five years. Maldon District Council is now below five years because it slowed down."

"As a result, they are probably going to have to find another 4,000 houses."

Althorne residents are strongly opposed to development in the village, which they feel lacks the necessary infrastructure to support this level of growth.

The District Council put out a consultation to identify 'broad locations' for development to take place. This could be in or around Maldon and Heybridge, on the Dengie Peninsula, or spaced out equally throughout district.

The Council is currently going through the responses and has not yet decided which of the above options to pursue.

At the same time, the Council also put out a 'Call for Sites'. They asked any interested party, or landowner, to put forward land or sites which they feel might be suitable for development.

Mr Whittingdale continued: "A vast number of sites sent back, one of which was a large site in Althorne, which could accommodate 1,750 houses."

Sites on floodplain, or otherwise unsuitable for development, were rejected.

He said: "The rest of the sites are there as possibilities, once they have reached a decision on which of the options from the consultation they're going to go for.

"I think, almost certainly, they'll go for further development around Maldon. I think it's highly unlikely they will go for a Dengie selection."

"In my view, the Althorne option is completely unrealistic.

"The idea you could build 1,750 houses in Althorne is absurd."

"The idea you could build 1,750 houses in Althorne is absurd." Rt Hon John Whittingdale MP

Mr Whittingdale says, once the District Council reaches a decision on which of the 'various' options they prefer, at least three quarters of the allocated sites will then be rejected.

"In theory, you could build there as it hasn't yet been knocked out, but it's a million miles away. It hasn't even been discussed by the District Council - it's just on a list of sites that were submitted."

"It's ludicrous – it is not a serious proposal at this stage."

Last Friday (July 29) a spokesperson for Maldon District Council told Nub News the Calls for Sites exercise does not mean the land will necessarily be developed.

They said: "The HELAA looks at whether there is land available to meet local housing needs and does not determine whether land should be allocated for housing or given planning permission for development.

"Including a site as suitable does not mean that planning permission will be granted."

However, yesterday (July 30), Mr Whittingdale admitted that due to the fact Maldon District Council does not yet have a development plan, this could make it open to 'speculative development'.

He said: "The current position is that there is no planning application or intention, but until there is an agreed development plan, there is this vulnerability that could be exploited."

Speculative development may allow developers to purchase a piece of land without a strict plan regarding what they will end up doing with it.

Mr Whittingdale continued: "It is terribly important to get an approved development plan as soon as possible.

There is currently a planning bill before Parliament, which aims to change the law so that planning inspectors cannot act in this way.

John Whittingdale says he 'strongly supports' strengthening district councils' powers over applications, even when development plans have not yet been approved, to stop speculative development against the councils' wishes.

Updated on July 31 2022 to reflect Mr Whittingdale's additional comments.