VILLAGERS are furious over plans to build 60 homes near to an historic church.

People living in Canewdon say the new homes will ruin the look of the village and the view around the Grade II* listed St Nicholas Church.

Rochford District Council has selected the site as its preferred option for new homes after a lengthy consultation.

This site has been published in the councils’ allocations document which sets out where thousands of homes will be built in the district in the coming years.

A Government planning inspector will review the document later this year and decide if it is suitable.

Julie Foster, who lives near to the proposed site, says she knew the area had been suggested as a place for housing 18 months ago but thought another area, off Scotts Hall Road, would be chosen instead.

People are invited to have their say on the plans until Friday, January 25.

For more information, go to www.rochford.gov.uk.