Plans to build 49 new houses in a village to the north of Maldon will combat a "well-documented" decline in local services such as schools, pubs and public transport, developers have claimed.

An application for a residential development in the village of Great Totham has been submitted to Maldon District Council by Mersea Homes Ltd.

A design and access statement submitted alongside the proposals says growth is needed to help villages remain sustainable, and that nearly one quarter of Great Totham's population is of retirement age.

A section read: "The general decline of rural services over recent decades has been well-documented, with the closure of village schools, loss of pubs and declining use of public transport all symptomatic of changes to the way we live and work, and also symptomatic of a decline in younger aged people in our rural villages."

It continues to claim providing small bungalows and smaller homes for the elderly will free up larger homes elsewhere suitable for young families, because it enables them to downsize.

Homes specifically for younger families would also be included within the housing mix.

According to a planning statement, a similar scheme in the site was refused earlier this year over its impact on the countryside and an absence of evidence about potential highway safety concerns at school times.

The proposed site is located in Manor Farm, Walden House Road, which is near Great Totham Primary School.

A Highway Safety Audit now accompanies this latest application, which did not raise any issues with the proposed vehicle access points from Walden House Road.

The statement continues to say the proposed development would be contained within the wider landscape and would not be highly visible.

Of the total 49 homes, 20 are proposed to be affordable housing, according to the statement.

In addition to the homes, a new footpath between Walden House Road and Catchpole Lane, a new area of public open space and parking, drainage and other infrastructure are being proposed.

The council's north western area planning committee is expected to be tasked with making a decision over the proposals later this year.

Opposition to the scheme has already been expressed.

Resident Keith Gibbs says: "People only have to look at what damage has been done to our village due to the high build program for Maldon.

"Great Totham is a small village and is being buffered by horrendous traffic day in and day out.

"We have schools full, we have to travel outside of the village for doctors and dentists and even then there is all but no chance of an appointment. We have one store and post office. Roads are broken with traffic causing holes that's breaking suspension, bursting tyres and other damage.

"Through Great Totham we have limited pavements making walking a dangerous proposition, cars and lorries travel at breakneck speed through the village and the main through road has become a racetrack with pollution at its highest.

"For the sake of the village I beg you to refuse planning permission and stop this area becoming a magnet for greedy speculators.

The planning apollication can be viewed via this link. You are also able to comment on the proposal.