Tolleshunt Knights Parish Council is encouraging residents to make their views known about a new proposal to build 97 homes in the village.

Around 200 residents attended a public meeting on Tuesday at the village hall to express their objections to the development.

Villagers' 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.

As part of the Kler Group's aims to address the needs of Maldon district's ageing population, 10 per cent of the homes on the site would be bungalows.

The district council has previously identified the need for more retirement properties in the district.

But the controversial development has received strong objections from neighbours and, out of the 13 letters received on the proposal so far, 11 are objections.

One resident said: "With such a large number of houses, it will immensely increase the traffic going into Tiptree - as Tolleshunt Knights has no facilities - and put strain on the doctors surgery which is not coping as it is."

Another resident said: "Top Road is a country lane without footpaths and is already dangerous for pedestrians, children riding their bikes to school and horse riders.

"The local bus service is entirely inadequate for commuters going to work or shopping - people will be forced to use private transport."

They continued: "There are no shops or schools and residents are dependent on Tiptree Medical Centre and Dentist services which are already overwhelmed and without any option to expand."

A further 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."

The parish council will discuss the proposal further in a meeting at the village hall on Monday.

It said that it is "vital" for members of the public to submit their views on the development to Maldon District Council by Thursday, 7 October.

Residents can email their responses to [email protected], or post responses to the district council offices on Princes Road at CM9 5DL.

The application documents for the proposal can be viewed using the link here.

Maldon District Council will have the final say on the development.