CAMPAIGNING residents are expected to turn out in force to voice their fears over plans for up to 3,800 new homes in the Rochford district.

The council's ruling Tory group is meeting in private on Monday to look at the proposals for how the extrahomes can be provided across the district by 2021.

Dozens of residents are then set to attend a meeting of the west area committee on Tuesday to quiz the Conservative councillors on what decisions were made at the closed meeting.

Officers' proposals are that the bulk of the new housing - 1,800 homes - should be built in Rayleigh.

Essex County Council has recommended this number should be cut by at least 300 because of the pressure which more homes would put on local schools.

After the submission of nearly 1,000 comments, which were mostly critical, during public consultation, it is expected there will be moves to cut back on the number of homes in Rayleigh.

However, there remain concerns about Rayleigh having taken more than its fair share of housing over recent years.

Campaigner against development, Mike Nobes, said: "There is a real groundswell of feeling in Rayleigh against the Tory councillors who are driving overdevelopment in the town. The more people who attend, the more our councillors will take note.

"The development and infrastructure of Rayleigh is a very important issue and anyone who has a view should attend."

Tuesday's meeting takes place at 7.20pm in the Down Hall Primary School, Brooklyn Drive, Rayleigh.