Plans for more than 200 homes, which form a huge new development with more than 1,100 homes close to Maldon, have been halted after a supply issue with the bricks agreed to be used in the construction. 

Crest Nicholson has applied to Maldon Council for permission to alter the plans as the bricks are "no longer available" to the firm for its 246 home plans in Great Totham. If the plans for a change of brick are not agreed it could throw the whole proposals into jeopardy.

The proposals form part of the huge 1,138 home Westcombe Park development also known as the North Heybridge Garden Suburb.

The development which will stand off Broad Street, Green Road, Langford Road and Maypole Road in Great Totham, also includes a residential care for up to 120 bedrooms, so called "neighbourhood" spaces for retail, commercial, and community uses, a primary school and nursery, a relief road between Broad Street Green Road and Langford Road and "formal and informal open space" including any associated sports pavilion and or clubhouse. 

The development is being built in various phases with Crest Nicholson, Countryside and Bellway all involved. The application for changes to the plans by Crest Nicholson includes a letter which states the firm hopes to change a condition regarding the facing materials of the new homes. 

It states: "As discussed with my colleagues I write to you for the submission and approval of facing materials relating to condition four of the above reserved matters approval. Condition four states the following: No development works above ground level shall take place until samples of the facing material to be used, including glazing, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The works must then be carried out in accordance with the approved details. Details of facing materials have already been submitted to and approved by Maldon Council via an application to discharge planning conditions four, six and nine.

"However, Crest Nicholson has encountered a supply issue relating to the approved buff brick, Wienerberger Warm Golden Buff, and the brick type is no longer available to us. Except for plots 111, 116 and blocks C and D, which have all either been completed or are being built using Wienerberger Warm Golden Buff, a new buff brick is required for approval to complete the remaining plots. 

"We therefore seek approval for the following brick type as an alternative to the Wienerberger Warm Golden Buff brick type Ibstock Hardwicke Minster Beckstone Mixture. I understand a sample has already been provided to you at your offices. For clarity, no other changes to facing materials are being sought and construction will continue using the materials that have already been approved."

The project is progressing with at least 77 homes completed. In a newsletter from Countryside Homes entitled, development update, issue two, summer 2024, the firm gives an update on its part in the whole development. 

The firms says its phase two works commenced in April, with 234 homes and first build completion on this phase is forecast for March 2025.