Plans for 250 more homes to be built on green belt in Billericay have been unveiled. 

Developer Tor and Co has put in a screening opinion request for 250 homes near Laindon Road in Billericay.

The request aims to see if an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed, to check how much of an impact the potential mini village could have on the environment.

The plans also feature a public open space, including children's play areas and a "green corridor" to connect with the existing footpath and hedgerow.

Most homes are planned to be two storeys high, with a small number of two and a half storey buildings in "key locations". 

The Echo understands the development is linked to a consultation held in February, which asked residents for their feedback on a 250-home estate at the site.

Anthony Hedley, Conservative councillor for Billericay West, says it is “inevitable” for developers to eye-up parts of the borough while there is no local plan.

He said: “I think it’s an inevitability, until a local plan is published and adopted.

“There’s an awful lot of controversy over the loss of any greenfield sites in Billericay.

“I think you should only sacrifice greenfield sites when you have exhausted brownfield sites. But that’s not always achievable.”

However, Mr Hedley admitted there was a need for more good-quality housing in the area.

He added: “I think there needs to be an acknowledgment that there has to be some development.

“The problem is so many of these sites are driven by market forces. I’m not sure some of them meet developers’ aspirations for high-quality and well-designed homes.”

Deputy Basildon council leader Kevin Blake, who also represents Burstead, says he is unable to comment specifically on the application, due to his planning committee role.

It comes as plans were also unveiled for 130 homes and a Lidl store on greenbelt land near to London Road, Billericay, in November.

A spokesman for Tor and Co has been approached for comment.