PLANS for hundreds of homes neighbouring the A127 have sparked concerns over how the road would cope with an influx of residents.

Developer, Bloor Homes, has announced plans to build 269 homes on land next to Steeple View, Laindon - just a four minute drive from the main road.

Developers hope the build will help support Basildon Council’s housing supply and contribute towards the local plan.

But Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, fears that more houses near the A127 could make the road even busier and harder to expand in the future.

He said: “My view is that affordable housing could mean whatever a developer wants to make it. I think that the only affordable homes really is council housing, and that the term is often used as a marking strategy which developers can use.

“With it being so close to the A127, it also could mean extra traffic and cars on the road which is already congested at peak times.”

Although the site falls within green belt land, it’s been marked for residential development in the council’s draft of the local plan.

The plans also included contributing to infrastructure improvements.

Mr Smith added: “Anytime there’s talk about building next to the A127, especially if there an extra 269 homes built right nearby, it could make things quite difficult if there are plans to widen the road in the future.

“I don’t suppose the nearby residents would want the development to be built, but I do think given the fact the market is such a disgrace that as soon as it’s built people will be banging on the doors for those houses.”

Robert Eburne, planning director for Bloor Homes, said: “The site at Steeple View has been supported for new housing through every draft of the local plan since it was first proposed. The next stage of this is for the local plan to be examined by a government planning inspector.

“We will work with the council in respect of the application. Given that other similarly supported sites are submitting plans we think it is now the appropriate time for Steeple View to be considered.”