ANGRY residents in Rochford have raised major concerns over there “not being enough room” for a doctor’s surgery and a school following a revised application to add more properties to a 600 home development.

The proposal is to build the development at Hall Road, west of Oak Road, with renewed plans to alter 43 plots to make room for a further 20 homes.

The developer, Bellway Homes, in a statement about the changes, said: “As part of the consultation process, we have adjusted the property mix to reflect a need to provide a higher number of two and three bedroom homes as part of this development.”

The application is yet to be discussed by Rochford District Council but it is fuelling anger from residents. Keith Hatfield, from Hillside Avenue, Hawkwell, said: “This development should never have gone ahead in the first place as the local infrastructure is unable to cope with such a development. I strongly object to this ‘creeping development’ from large construction companies who place profit before local residents.”

Another resident, in a letter to the council, said: “Where are the school places and GP services? A three-week wait now. Already overstretched, we are gridlocked in Hockley and the surrounding areas.” Arthur Williams, councillor for the Roche South ward, is however not currently concerned by the addition of the homes removing any space for a surgery and a school. He said: “The addition of these new dwellings will not make any difference to the provisions for the doctor’s surgery or the school. People seem to be under this impression right now.”

Bellway assured residents that the development will contain a space for a school as part of their application. Its statement said: “As part of the development, and in accordance with our section 106 commitments, we have allocated an area for educational facilities. Essex County Council will decide what will be built in this space depending on the needs of the community. Healthcare contributions will still be honoured as part of our original planning application.”

John Mason, councillor for Hawkwell West ward, said that the development may not be completed until 2022.

Despite there being some concern over space, Mr Mason believes that the addition of more homes in Rochford can only be a positive for the area.

He said: “If they are building smaller homes that will be good as it will reduce the price that young people struggling to get onto the property market will have to pay. If they are putting a further 20 houses in, I hope it is a rearrangement of the site in order to make more room.”

The revision to the application will be considered in the coming weeks.