THE latest phase of a 700-home development in Basildon which also includes a new school and sports pitches has been approved by the borough council.

Basildon Borough Council approved the latest 82 houses in phase four of the Gardiners Park development at a planning meeting on Wednesday, 30 November.

The wider scheme by Homes England and Basildon Developments Ltd, which had already been given outline approval, will consist of 700 houses and flats, shops, a new school and a sporting hub including several playing pitches and a new club house pavilion.

But two neighbours of the Gardiners site spoke at the meeting to raise concerns over the proposals, particularly around noise and fears their property could be boxed in by the new houses.

Planning agent Matthew Corcoran, CBS Planning, said at the meeting: "These proposals provide a number of very important public benefits for Basildon."

He also confirmed new trees being planted in the site would either be mature or semi-mature and stressed the development will comply with building regulation including acoustic treatments. 

However, Daniel Missing, a neighbour, said at the meeting the plans were vague and differed from the original hybrid plans approved last year.

He said: "We brought up many of these arguments including the noise issues in the material planning objections, yet the council ignored these and they are happy for the plans to box our property in with flats either side and at the front."

He also complained the front of his property was going to be used for a cycle path. Officers said the cycle path is outside of the development boundary and not part of the phase being considered at the meeting.

According to a council report, the land is currently occupied by Basildon Rifle Club, which is set to be relocated to Courtauld Road.

Among the homes will be four apartment blocks, each containing six flats with one or two bedrooms.