A DEVELOPER is to submit new plans to build on green belt land in Benfleet, despite public opposition.

Redrow Homes hopes to build 173 homes next to Felstead Road in Benfleet.

It had plans for 178 homes on the site rejected by Castle Point Council in May last year.

The Friends of Bowers Road Greenbelt group said it would continue to object to the proposals.

Group member Jacqui Thornton, 52, of Catherine Road, said: “It’s nothing we didn’t expect, but it’s ridiculous.

“For a start, it will devastate the bridleways and recreation facilities that are well used and it’s all going to be crammed into the space.”

The 21-acre site is made up of a series of private plots, including 10 dwellings, builders’ yards and woodland.

If approved, the site would have one to five bedroomed homes with pedestrian, cycle and vehicle links and off-street parking.

Mrs Thornton said: “There is not the infrastructure to support people getting on and off the estate and the roads round here are ridiculous. It will put extra pressure on the schools. We can’t get a doctor’s appointment as it is.”

In 2012, when discussing its local plan, the council allocated the site as suitable for residential development .

Councillors rejected Redrow’s plans last year over fears the development would spoil the appearance of the area and eat into too much surrounding woodland.

The local plan, when complete, will earmark certain areas for development and protect others.

Uncertainty over whether green belt can be protected has delayed the plan, with a council group working on a draft scheme for the past year.

Redrow has reviewed its application after last year’s rejection and said the development was “well-designed” and respected the surrounding area’s character.

In a statement, it said: “We have held a number of discussions with the council and it remains committed to the delivery of a high-quality and sympathetic development in this important location, which will benefit the wider community.”

The new planning application is due to be submitted in July.