WORK on the controversial Dry Street development is pushing forward after details of the third phase were drawn up.

Redrow Homes has submitted an application to Basildon Council for 77 houses. The latest phases includes a mix of properties - with between three and six bedrooms.

It also features public open space, landscaping and pedestrian and cycle routes through the estate.

It comes just a week after Basildon Council passed details for the second phase of the development, including 192 houses. Eight members of the planning committee abstained from the vote - with Labour’s Adele Brown and Tory Stuart Allen voting in support of the application.

Planning documents for the third phase read: “Significant focus has been placed upon ensuring that the layout and public spaces are legible and well designed.

“An extensive landscaping scheme has made good use of varied planting schedule which increase biodiversity and provides screening within the development.

“The layout has been designed to respond to the approved parameter plans and make best use of the space and existing topography. Private and semi private spaces are well defined through landscaping, road layouts and a carefully selected provision of Redrow house types.

“Thus, the proposals provide for a unique combination of significant benefits, which sit neatly against the core principles of national and local policy.”

Outline planning permission for the new estate - which will include a total of 745 houses, space for a new school and retail facilities - was approved by the council in June 2013.

At the last planning meeting, councillors were told that no changes could be made to the application because it had already received outline permission.

The Dry Street development has attracted controversy over the years, with campaigners joining forces to fight the plans.

A petition to stop the initial application attracted 5,000 signatures. However, they were defeated after the Court of Appeal threw out their case.

The Green Action Group told the Echo last week that the campaign has “reached the end of the line.”

In 2015, then planning committee chairman Carole Morris sparked uproar when she signed off details for 181 houses in the first phase of the development behind closed doors.

In 2015, then planning committee chairman Carole Morris was ousted when she signed off details for 181 houses in the first phase of the development behind closed doors.