A NEW action group has been formed in Rochford by residents fearful their area could see an influx of 600 new homes.

More than 100 residents from around Hall Road attended a behind-closed-doors meeting to set up the new West Rochford Action Group.

Spokeswoman Susan Harper said: “The residents of west Rochford accept there is some requirement for new housing, but not on the vast scale that is proposed in the core strategy for which there is no proven need.

“We believe we have become the line of least resistance when it comes to allocations of large areas for dwellings because there have been such huge protests in other areas.

“To date we have not put forward an argument, but now we are worried about being unfairly developed because we have not protested.”

Areas around Hall Road are earmarked for possible housing development in the district council’s long-term plan.

But Mrs Harper said Hall Road was a beautiful entrance to Rochford, with Cherry Orchard country park on one side and the ancient byway of Ironwell Lane on the other. She added it is also a haven for wildlife, and so was not suitable for development.

She also said it was grade one agricultural land and it was not sensible to use it for housing when better sites could be found.

She added: “There were many more points of view put forward in respect of this allocation of land in the core strategy, not least of which is the infrastructure.

“Those who use the local routes to get to and from work will be well aware of the problems now, let alone with 600 more houses and other planned developments, including the airport expansion.”