BOSSES of a 500-year-old pub are calling for support to fight plans for a nearby development.

Owners of Great Chalvedon Hall Pub, in Tyefields, Pitsea say Basildon Council plans for 26 homes on green space off Tyefields must not go ahead.

They are worried about loss of open space and harm being caused to the wildlife if the council bosses agree the proposals.

The plan has been poorly received in the community with plenty of residents coming forward to fight the plans.

Basildon Council’s housing developer Sempra Homes is also behind the proposals.

A spokesman for the pub said: “Have your say about the proposal to build houses on the land at the Great Chalvedon Hall.

“Let’s put a stop to them ruining the last unique piece of land we have. This land needs to be listed as an area of historical and natural importance.

“The wildlife here is more important than extra houses that will go to people from out of the area.

“Get on it people, lets put a stop to this rubbish and save the Great Chalvedon Hall open spaces.”

Worried residents say this will be overdevelopment and must not go ahead.

Sheila Potter, 82, from Pitsea said: “These homes will hide the lovely old pub and that will be a real shame.

“I think this area is far too small for this amount of homes and we’re having far too much development.

“We need as much as support as possible around this and everyone must object and help make our feelings known about this.

“The pub bosses have my full support and I know other people are just as angry about all this.”

The grandmother-of-three said the loss of open green space and animal habitat would be a real issue.

On a website for the development, Sempra Homes said: “The site, on land at Tyefields, is located in the east of Basildon.

“The site does include the listed building Great Chalvedon Hall, which will be retained.

“Our designs will respect the building and enhance its setting.”

The council said it respects the pub as a historic highly valued building.