PLANS to build a mini estate on green belt land hang in the balance after a last-minute move from the developer saved proposals from being shot down.

Developer Hamlin Estates has applied to build 75 homes, 35 of which will be bungalows for the elderly and a 70-bed care home in land south of Eastwood Road, Rayleigh.

Last week, Rochford Council’s planning committee met to determine the plans, which council officers had recommended be rejected.

However, a late change to the application adding tree and shrubbery coverage either side of the access road to reduce noise saw the plans deferred.

The proposals would see 30 bungalows, and 35 affordable homes built on the 3.7-hectare site.

Councillor Jim Cripps said: “The officers had recommended refusal on very significant grounds, it’s on green belt land and there are worries over flooding measures.

“A late addendum to the application was submitted by the applicant addressing some of the issues with the plan surrounding noise and disruption to neighbouring properties.

“Because the addendum addressed some of the other matters, it was deemed necessary to give us more time to take a look at it.

“However, the basic case officers made for refusal still remains. The land isn’t going to magically become non green belt overnight.”

The bungalows will be designed to facilitate independent living for the elderly or mobility impaired, with wheelchair accessibility.

A 70-bed care home would also be created to be run by Carebase for over 85s with dementia.

The property at 270 Eastwood Road would be bulldozed to make way for the development, with the only access to the site proposed from Eastwood Road.

Hamlin Estates argues the council has failed to deliver enough housing, and has failed the Government’s Housing Delivery Test for two years, therefore it is reasonable to build on green belt given “there is an acute and overwhelming need for elderly, later living and affordable housing”.

The firm added: “Given the fact that the replacement local plan is still at least two to three years away from adoption it is clear that the acute housing needs of the borough will become worse and worse during the interim period.”