RESIDENTS are furious over plans for hundreds of homes in a quiet village.

About 500 new homes could be built in Hullbridge by 2021, under revisions to Rochford District Council's new development plan.

The village was one of the areas earmarked to take an increased amount of housing when the number of new homes in Rayleigh was slashed from 1,800 to 720, following huge pressure from the town's residents.

However, 80 residents who attended the council's central area committee meeting were told they could not discuss the issue, as planning was not under the committee's remit.

Wendy Clarke, of Mapledene Avenue, Hullbridge, said: "We are trying to get some answers about flats being built in the village.

"We were only given ten minutes for questions. However, we were fobbed off with excuses and got no answers.

"Then they spent 25 minutes telling us about an inspector the council is going to employ to look into dog mess on pavements. Time would have been better spent listening to us about our concerns."

Chairman of the central area committee, Hawkwell Tory councillor Derrick Stansby, said while he could appreciate residents' concerns, the area committee was not the place to discuss planning. He said: "As far as new homes are concerned, the issue is not cut and dried.

"Because of the concerns there are across the district, we have gone back to look at all the housing allocations. There is going to be another round of public consultation, when everyone can raise issues."

Rosemary Brown, a Hullbridge Tory district councillor and chairman of Hullbridge Parish Council planning committee, echoed his views.

She said: "It has not yet been decided how many new homes will be going where. It is not only in this village people are up in arms, but across the country, because of the Government's demands."