UNIMPRESSED residents have united against plans to build 20 homes in Stanford-le-Hope...on a site currently occupied by one, derelict bungalow.

Plans have been lodged with Thurrock Council for a combination of five, four, three and two-bed homes, complete with gardens and 53 spaces for cars.

The property built on the corner of Branksome Avenue and Morley Hill on a plot of land of about two acres, roughly the size of a football pitch.

But the council has been bombarded with letters from neighbours arguing that 20 houses is simply far too many.

Stephen Peak, 29, who lives in Cameron Close, opposite the proposed development, said: “Tthe land was earmarked for ten houses, it’s now 20. That’s pretty extreme. It’s clearly an over development.”

Mr Peak said campaigners were not against homes being built there in priniciple.

He added: “We’re pleased something is being done, it’s derelict and overgrown.

“We aren’t against houses, but we want to sit down with the developer and come up with something that everyone is pleased with.”

Residents clubbed together to pay for their own report into the plans.

Planning consultant Jeremy Butterworth found the proposal resulted in “a cramped form of development” which will create noise and traffic issues.

A petition containing more than 140 signatures has now been presented to the council.

The scheme originally proposed 27 homes, but the council told the applicant this was “too dense”, before the latest application was lodged.

Plans for 20 homes have now been submitted, but that’s still double the amount proposed for this site two years ago.

In response to the application, Folawe Odujinrin, from the council’s school places department said the area would need to create extra primary school places by 2015 should this development be given the go-ahead.

James Halden, Conservative ward councillor for the Homesteads, said: “20 houses on this site is massively excessive - there is policy to protect the Homesteads ward from too much residential development, and this doesn’t adhere to that.

“We’re not saying ‘no, build nothing here’, we’re saying ‘it needs to be something in keeping with the area’.”

A decision on the plans is due by Friday, July 4.

Thurrock Gazette: Stanford-le-Hope sketch

How the development could look

Thurrock Gazette:

The site as it is now with derelict 1930s bungalow