ANGRY residents have urged councillors to stand up to the Government and not allow thousands of new homes to be built in their district.

Proposals for 1,050 homes in Rawreth were discussed at a heated meeting organised by Rochford District Council and attended by almost 80 villagers.

The council is consulting residents about proposals which have earmarked green belt land between London Road and Rawreth Lane, west of Rayleigh to take 850 new homes.

The plans would allow a further 200 to be built near Rawreth’s boundary with Hullbridge.

The Government has said sites must be found to build 5,500 new homes in the district by 2025.

Residents complained about a lack of infrastructure to go with the houses and said main roads in the area were already overrun with traffic.

Anthony Buckle, 72, of Rawreth Lane, drew applause with a stirring speech attacking the plans.

He said: “This is a ploy to deceive the people of Rawreth and the west of Rayleigh.

“Rawreth has been over-done. We already have Asda and several developments down there. Leave Rawreth Lane alone!

“We can fight developers with the help of you people.”

Shaun Scrutton, the council’s head of planning, said its hands were tied.

He explained: “Residents have said: ‘Just say no to any more houses’.

“But the fact of the matter is we are beholden to the East of England Plan. It’s a legal document.

“We have tried to adopt a balanced strategy to the distribution of housing.

“We welcome alternative proposals which will be carefully considered as part of the process. These are just our preferred options.”

There was more applause for Alistir Matthews, chairman of Rawreth Parish Council, after he also made an impassioned speech.

He told the meeting: “We have taken great offence at the dismissal of our protests by councillors and officers. We put little credence in vague promises of new infrastructure.

“We are not against development in the parish, but it must be on an appropriate site. 1,050 houses is too much to ask, with no benefit to Rawreth whatsoever.”

He also said the sites under consideration were of great agricultural quality and might be at risk of flooding.