An environmental impact assessment has been submitted to Basildon Council for the sizeable development, which would be built on land off Great Burstead’s Southend Road if approved.
It comes months after a environmental impact assessment request for a smaller development of 800 homes was filed by Obsidian Strategic and has sparked criticism from campaigners who fear the potential impact on the area’s rural character and infrastructure.
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Members of Billericay Action group, a residents’ group dedicated to opposing development on the town’s green belt, have consistently raised concerns around the scale of the proposed development.
They say that the number of planned developments is increasing by the day and feel that Basildon’s draft local plan unfairly targets Billericay’s green belt.
“We are alarmed to see that attack on the green belt continues with the development proposed off Southend Road being increased from 800 to 1,100 new houses,” said a spokesperson for the group.
“We are now aware of plans for over 5,000 houses between the A127 and Billericay.
“We need more houses but this number is excessive and if they all go ahead we need to see major new investments in roads, schools and health facilities.
“Without adequate infrastructure serving Billericay, Noak Bridge and Steeple View we fear that quality of life will be badly affected, whether for existing or new residents.”
Plans for 150 new houses have already been approved on Southend Road, and a further 700 are expected to the south of Noak Bridge.
“The environmental impact assessment identifies potential environmental impacts that the future development might have on the area,” said a spokesperson for Obsidian Strategic, who also emphasized the development’s green credentials such as the provision of ample outdoor spaces.
“Obsidian Strategic is working with Basildon Council and statutory bodies to identify opportunities for the scheme proposals to enable the improvement of local facilities and infrastructure.
“We will consult residents and consider all feedback in the near future.”
In February, Obsidian Strategic submitted an environmental impact assessment screening request for the Southend Road site, which outlined plans for 800 new homes.