CAMPAIGNERS have raised serious fears about plans for more than 100 homes on farmland in Billericay – demanding the plans are scrapped.

They fear the impact on the environment, wildlife and existing infrastructure and are very worried the town cannot cope with this number of homes.

The campaigners, armed with placards and banners, met with Richard Holden Tory MP for Basildon and Billericay. Mr Holden MP has also hit out at the proposals and encouraged residents to have their say on the plans online.

Billy Holden, 56, said: "The impact on the environment, wildlife and existing infrastructure will be awful. It's far too many homes for this site and area and everyone is so angry and upset about it. We will lose our previous habit for our wonderful wildlife, and it's just not right. I think the Government is partly to blame due to the huge housing targets. It's completely ridiculous and must not go ahead at all."

The proposed development.

comes as Billericay and the surrounding areas could see around 7,725 homes built as Basildon Borough Council plans 26,909 homes across the whole borough. The council is producing its local plan, which includes development such as homes, employment land and other things until 2043.

NHS worker Lewis Buckhold, 33, said: "There is far too much development in Billericay and this will only make things worse if this site is developed. This farmland has been untouched for hundreds of years but now it's at threat of being destroyed. There is no good or decent reason for this to happen at all. We need our open space and farmland even more than ever before as we are losing so much to major development."

Fellow Billericay resident, Toby Greensward, 71, said the nearby roads are already gridlocked roads and other infrastructure is stretched beyond capacity. He added: "Tye Common Road is a nightmare at the best of times, with queues and congestion often happening.

"Our doctors and schools are also oversubscribed and stretched.

"It doesn't make any sense at all to lose this farmland, especially without any infrastructure investment, and no realistic possibility that it will help with the local housing need. We are all fighting against this and we need as many people as possible to join our fight and campaign against this."

A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: "We recognise the concerns local residents have raised about our proposed site in Billericay. We carried out extensive consultation before submitting our outline application and would like to reassure the community that we have listened to their feedback and taken this into account when putting together our proposals.

"Our proposal for 175 homes, including 50 per cent affordable housing, will help to address the housing need in the borough. We will create a large area of new public open space, including a play area and wildlife habitats, transforming arable farming land into a space in which locals and wildlife can thrive together.

"Should our application be approved, we will enter into a Section 106 agreement with the council which will allow us to make financial contributions towards the mitigation of any impact the development would have on existing infrastructure."