PLANS for an "isolated" new housing estate in Basildon have been agreed despite claims it is "unsustainable" and "won't meet the needs of residents".

Developer Crest Nicholson has been given the go-ahead to build 146 new homes near Dunton close to the A127.

Basildon District Council's planning committee agreed the plans at a meeting on August 27, despite various concerns about a range of issues, including loss of green belt and farmland, road safety issues and the benefits to the wider community. 

Speaking at the meeting, former Laindon councillor Kevin Wingfield raised various concerns about the plans. He told the committee: "So what we really have is an unsustainable, car-dependent housing estate, isolated from existing neighbourhoods, offering no real facilities, placing pressure on neighbouring areas, and eroding countryside, delivering very little that actually meets local needs. This application won't meet the needs of residents, existing or new residents." 

Essex County Councillor for Laindon Park and Fryerns, Jeff Henry, said: "It is very regrettable that we're losing green belt. It is not quite, maybe, as the report suggests it is. This is a hugely, hugely trafficked area, if there is one single problem on the A127, Westmayne and Lower Dunton Road, are the absolute cut throughs, we've had accident after accident there. We have a small and very, very busy light industrial park that becomes an overnight lorry park, incredible amounts of traffic going through there."

Paul Haggis, from Crest Nicholson, told the meeting: "The proposal will provide 146 new homes to the borough, contributing to the area's unmet housing need. The application site is in a sustainable location, and sustainable modes of transportation will be enhanced through active travel infrastructure and financial contributions. In total, financial contributions in excess of £2.5million have been agreed; these will be used towards bus service enhancements on Westmayne, primary and secondary school spaces, open space, culture, play and sports provision, employment skills and health care services.

"These will be tangible and direct benefits to the wider community. The proposals represent responsible plan lead development that meets policy requirements and will deliver lasting benefits for existing communities as well as future residents of the new homes. Crucially, it will help to meet the need for new housing within the borough." 

The plans include 50 per cent affordable housing on site, which is 73 homes in total. The affordable housing is set to include affordable rent, shared ownership, social rent, and discount market sales. The plans include two, three, and four-bedroom homes.