CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 123 homes on former school playing fields look set for approval.

Bellway Homes want to build the new family homes, with up to five bedrooms, on the former Laindon High School ground, off School Avenue.

Work is already under way to build 186 houses and flats on the site of the old school buildings.

The planning application for the homes on the playing fields will be considered by Basildon Council’s development control and traffic management committee tonight.

Planning officers have recommended approval for the proposals, so it is likely councillors will give them the all-clear, to the disappointment of local residents.

Vic Yorke, 70, of Bullen Road, Laindon, said: “This would be a massive overdevelopment of the site, whatever the council officers say.

“I want to know where the infrastructure is coming from to cope with all these new houses.

“Where are the children who live there going to go to school and which doctor will they use? These fields should be left for the youth of the area to play on. It’s very sad they’re planning to build houses all over them.”

Labour councillor Pat Rackley, who lives in Devonshire Road, Laindon, said: “Children have played on these fields for as long as I can remember.

“We need all the playing fields we can get in Laindon, but we’ve already lost green space that used to be next to the Royal Court flats to make way for housing.

“I’m also worried about all the extra traffic the residents will cause on our already overburdened roads.”

The playing fields cover approximately 3.9 hectares.

Residents are invited to the planning meeting at James Hornsby High School, Leinster Road, Laindon, at 7.30pm. Bellway Homes said there was no-one available to comment on the application before the meeting.