WORK is finally set to start on a mini-town of 600 new homes and a new primary school in Rochford.

Building work on the new homes planned for fields off Hall Road, Rochford, will begin later this month, years after the initial planning application was put in to Rochford District Council.

The council confirmed the work would begin by January 17 at the latest.

As part of the planning application, developerBellway Homes, must spearhead a range of other improvements, including a new primary school, road enhancements, a public open space and drainage systems.

Ian Ward, district councillor responsible for planning, was delighted the work was finally set to begin after so many years of discussions.

He said: “It has taken a long time to get everything sorted out. I am very very pleased we are able to see progress now and look forward to seeing the results.

“It will be in phases, but I am looking forward to the finished result. It’s taken over three years to get this sorted and get a spade in the ground.

“There was a lot of discussing in regards to infrastructure and access to make sure all was in place along Hall Road and to manage traffic. It has all been sorted now so we can proceed.”

The initial planning application was received by the council in 2010.

When the application was put to the council’s development committee in 2012, more than 100 people packed out Rochford’s council chamber as the proposals for the development on fields off Hall Road were discussed.

Councillors overwhelmingly voted in favour of the plans, despite passionate objections from residents.

Campaigner Brian Martin, from the West Rochford Action Group set up to oppose the plans, said the decision was a nightmare come true with concerns about traffic.

The council’s housing blueprint states there has to be 600 homes built in West Rochford before 2021. Officers said because of this, if they refused the plans, developers Bellway Homes could appeal and would probably get the decision overturned.