PLANS for hundreds of homes to be built in Rochford were refused last night by the council.

Councillors met at the Development Committee where they rejected the first phase of the plans to build 223 homes on land east of Ashingdon Road.

The planning application submitted was permission for three phases which would see a total of 662 homes built on the site.

Council officers recommended councillors approve the application, however the committee overturned the advice from officers and voted to refuse the application.

Bloor Homes submitted the application with plans to demolish 148 and 150 of Ashingdon Road, remove a highway tree and form an access onto the road to serve the development of 662 homes with supporting infrastructure.

The development site was allocated for residential development in 2014 where it was envisaged the site would be brought forward for development in 2021.

The applicant will now have the right to appeal the committees decision.

Bloor Homes have been contacted for comment.