WORRIED residents claimed plans to extend a housing development in Laindon would put an “unbearable strain” on schools, roads and the health service.

Bellway Homes exhibited plans to build 120 new family homes, each with up to five bedrooms, on the former Laindon School site, off the High Road.

Work is already under way on 186 houses and flats on the land.

The public exhibition, held at the James Hornsby School, in Leinster Road, Laindon, on Saturday, revealed the extra batch of properties would be built on what used to be the school’s playing fields.

Over 30 residents turned out to look at the plans and voice their opinions.

Some said the fields were still used by youngsters to play football and other games, and so should not be developed.

Basildon councillor Patricia Rackley was at the meeting, and said: “I’m concerned about Laindon’s resources being overstretched. These new residents will need to send their children to schools, but it’s going to be gridlock.

“There will be no green space left in Laindon if they build these houses.

“Every Sunday morning children play on that field. They always have since I’ve been here. Where will they go now?”

Families also said they were worried Cromer Road would be turned into an access road for the new estate. At the moment, Bellway’s plans designate Cromer Road as an emergency access road only.

Under its plans, access to the estate will be through the junction on Laindon High Road, which will involve cutting through the estate currently being built.

Residents said this will cause traffic chaos.

Bosses at Newcastle-based property developer, Bellway, said they would take the comments into account before drawing up a planning application to be submitted to Basildon Council in July.

Michael Page, a technical manager at Bellway, said: “There’s a need for housing, and when this is finished it will be a lovely part of the community.

“At the moment no one can benefit from the land. It’s surplus ground, which is only a visual benefit to residents.

“If we can accommodate anyone by shifting units around then this is the time to do it.”

Caroline Kohler from the company said the on-going development on the school-site was going well, with 47 properties already sold to local buyers.

She said: “We are giving local first-time buyers, who would normally have to rent, the chance to buy.”

If Bellway gets planning permission for the extra homes, work could start in 2010.