CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a 455-home mini-village in Thundersley are set to be thrown out after more than 800 objections were submitted by residents.

Developers are hoping to build the homes, as well as a community hall, on land east of Rayleigh Road, but planning officers have recommended councillors vote against the plans at a meeting next week.

The council officers have raised concerns over a potential loss of green belt land an open space, while residents have also objected over the impact on wildlife.

The proposed development, put together by This Land Development Ltd, also includes land for the provision of a “healthcare facility”, and “stand-alone early years and childcare nursery”.

Tim Copsey, a Daws Heath resident, said: “Many residents and myself have spent years trying to protect the green spaces of Castle Point from destruction.

“The developers feel emboldened now as previous administration had allocated swathes of green belt to them for over-development. They want to build on what they feel they are entitled too.

“Around 800 residents sent in objections to this application with sound reasons why this should not happen.

“Hopefully, councillors will do the right thing and vote refusal in line with the council officer’s view.

“There needs to be some local housing built but on brownfield sites, not wiping out the diminishing fields, hedges, woodland, and wildlife habitat.”

If the new plans are approved, homes will be split into four development “parcels”.

The development has stated as part of the proposal that this plan is “more customer and community-focussed than the traditional UK housebuilder model”.

In the developers plans, they add that outdoor play is an “essential ingredient of a happy, healthy childhood” and have included a large, equipped play area, a fishing lake, space for relaxing and play, as well as multiple areas of woodland for walking and informal play.

In the vision plans, they state: “This new neighbourhood will offer welcoming places for people to come together and connect, as well as space for nature to thrive.”

However, officers raised concerns around the size and harm to the green belt.