HUGE plans for more than 300 homes on a stretch of green belt next to a country park have been unveiled.

Fresh plans submitted to Basildon Council by developer Pigeon lay out proposals for a mini-village of 302 homes on green belt land off Tresco Way, Wickford.

The site borders Wick Country Park and nine years ago proposals by the same developer for 900 homes on the land were thrown out by Basildon councillors.

According to the plans, a new primary school and pre-school would be built alongside the homes next to Wick Country Park.

Roughly 40 per cent of the homes would be classed as affordable.

George Jeffery, Wickford Tory councillor, fears the plan would have a huge impact on infrastructure in the area and opposes the loss of green belt.

He said: “Loss of green belt is my biggest issue, all parcels of land south of the Wick are of high importance to the openness of the green belt and from the look of it, they are building around the access road to the park.

“Right now it is quite quiet there but the development comes right up to the main country park itself, the developer should look to enhance the site and not attempt to maximise value by saying people living there will have country park views, when those in the park will be looking at a housing development.

“We want a green belt in Wickford to prevent the merger with Billericay and Rawreth as well.”

Mr Jeffery added that there is also pressure in Wickford already for GPs, school places and on the roads.

He added: “This would add even more pressure, some people find it tough to get an appointment at the GP surgery in London Road, this could bring in 1000 extra people with children, where will they go and where will they go to school?”

Wickford Independent leader, David Harrison, has been opposed to the plans historically but feels they highlight the lack of a local plan.

Basildon Council currently has no local plan in place and hopes to go out to the first round of consultations in November.

He said: “These developers are now putting in applications to win them on appeal, this plan has changed quite a bit but in my view, we must wait for a new local plan.

“This is a speculative development.”

Pigeon were contacted for comment.