CONTROVERSIAL plans which would change the face of the Rochford district, allowing another 3,000 homes to be built, could finally be approved next month.

A Government inspector is due to start examining the fine print of the council’s Core Strategy planning document in September, ahead of an announcement at a date, yet to be confirmed, about whether the strategy can go ahead.

Details of where all the new homes and other developments would be allowed will also be confirmed in the document.

As well allowing 2,785 homes to be built in the district between now and 2025, the document also identified a site for the district’s only legal traveller site, at Michelin’s Farm, by the A127/A130 junction in Rawreth The traveller site proposal, along with plans to allow hundreds of new homes in Rayleigh and Rawreth, both sparked opposition and prompted a campaign of opposition by the Rayleigh Action Group.

The group opposes both proposals because it feels the town’s infrastructure would be unable to cope with so many extra residents.

Other planned development set out in the document includes 500 homes in Hullbridge and 600 in Rochford, near Hall Road.

Work to build 175 homes in Hawkwell, on the Christmas Tree Farm site, has already started.

If the Government inspector approves the document, developers will then be able to apply for permission for the various parcels of land earmarked for homes.

It would mean at least 550 new homes in Rayleigh, plus a new primary school, youth and community facilities, and improvements to the roads and other infrastructure.

Keith Hudson, Rochford district councillor responsible for planning, said: “We have to provide more housing, more jobs, more leisure opportunities and better health facilities – more of everything.

“However, we want to create an environment that is vibrant, inclusive, safe, sustainable and modern, while retaining the essential characteristics of the salt marshes, rivers, woodland, open countryside, villages and market towns that make the Rochford district what it is today.”

“The principal concept behind the core strategy is for each settlement to make housing provision in accordance with its own particular needs.

“This means the needs of each community’s children, of its expanding families and with the thought never far from our minds that we are living far longer than ever before.”