ANXIOUS residents opposed to plans to build a new village on green belt land face a longer wait to find out if the application will be given the go-ahead.

Basildon Council’s planning committee had been due to vote on the development at Little Chalvedon Hall, off Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, on August 13.

However, the vote is now not expected to take place until September at the earliest.

The authority was forced to defer the meeting as it is still waiting to hear from other authorities and agencies who have to be legally consulted about the plans.

Essex County Council’s highways department is understood to be among those yet to respond.

Under the controversial proposals, developer Merdian Strategic Land wants to build 750 homes, shops and a primary school on the site on behalf of its client, Nottinghamshire County Council, which bought the land for £4.2million two years ago.

Rose Griffin, chairman of Bowers Gifford and North Benfleet Residents’ Association, said while residents would be frustrated by the delay, she was pleased the council was being thorough.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “This is one of the largest planning applications we have received in some time, and accordingly the assessments take time to consider and analyse.”

So far, 5,000 people have signed a petition calling on Basildon councillors to reject the plans.