CAMPAIGNERS against plans to create a mini-village near Rayleigh are calling on the town’s MP to do more to stop it going ahead.

Members of the Rayleigh Action Group are against plans to build 500 homes off London Road claiming the town could not cope with the influx due to a lack of infrastructure.

The plans were rejected by Rochford District Council, but it has since emerged developer Countryside properties has appealed that decision and at a council meeting, members elected not to fight the appeal.

Campaigners claim Mark Francois, Tory MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, who spoke out about the plans before the General Election, should be doing more to support their campaign.

Linda Kendall, from the action group, said: “He hasn’t done much since the election.

“He now has a chance to show he supports residents, we ask him to lead a full inquiry as to what has gone on with the council in regards to this planning application, the site that has been chosen shouldn’t have been chosen.

“If he really believes in helping the constituents, people would get behind him.”

Gordon Toal, 64, of Paignton Close, Rayleigh added: “If he is saying he supports the residents against this development, he needs to speak up more publicly.

“If he had any serious intention to help residents, then he would have been meeting members of the Rayleigh Action Group before now to discuss their concerns and offer advice on how to effectively oppose the council in this.

“I was against him being allowed to speak at the council meeting in January instead of Linda Kendall, of Rayleigh Action Group, as she had done far more research into why the development should be stopped and was far better informed than him.“

Mr Francois said his opinion on the proposal is the same as it was prior to the election.

He said: “I argued at the General Election that major housebuilding should only proceed in the constituency if the necessary infrastructure is provided and I haven’t changed that view.

“I objected to Countryside’s proposals as the local MP some time ago because they lacked infrastructure guarantees – and that still remains