A DEVELOPER’S bid to create a new village has come under fire with claims it will turn Little Dunmow into an “urban sprawl”.

Chater Homes Ltd is gauging opinion on a proposal which would see up to 750 new homes built on land at Pound Hill on Station Road. An application is set to follow.

However, the proposals – which includes provision for a GP Surgery, community floor and employment space, a primary school and public open space – has been met with a frosty response.

Chairman of Felsted Parish Council, Graham Harvey, said the scheme would merge his parish with Little Dunmow and Flitch Green, adding that he would be devastated if the development goes any further.

He told the Broadcast: “We discussed this at our planning meeting and we are putting together a strong letter opposing it.

“Flitch Green, Little Dunmow and Felsted will all become one if we are not careful.

“We just do not see the need for more developments like this in the area.

“There will be an increase in traffic and the roads will just not be able to take it.”

Links are also being made to past developments, such as Flitch Green, where issues have raised over a lack of promised infrastructure to support the estate.

Joanna Pratt, of Little Dunmow, laid out her reservations in a letter to planning authority Uttlesford District Council.

She said: “Flitch Green was promised various community spaces but it did not happen except with lobbying.

“Station Road is not large enough to accommodate another 750 houses with retail units.

“More housing and associated cars etc will entirely spoil the peaceful character of Little Dunmow.”

Cllr Joanna Davies, of Little Dunmow Parish Council, added: “This housing proposal will designate the area to become a total urban sprawl.

“The ancient, historic villages of Felsted and Little Dunmow will be utterly lost.”

A lack of water in the district is another reason why the application is being opposed, as well the fact the development will be built on agricultural land.

Chairman of Little Dunmow Parish Council Jeff Thomas put forward these problems in his letter of opposition.

He added: “It would destroy the attractiveness of the open countryside between Great Dunmow and Braintree, already compromised by the nearby development at Flitch Green which was an opportune use of a brown field site.

“The irreversible linear urbanisation of a grossly expanded Little Dunmow village combined with Flitch Green and Felsted would be a testament to poor planning.”

Chater Homes Ltd has been unavailable for comment.