AN MP has slammed an "unsafe and unsustainable" new development plan.

Priti Patel has waded in on the proposal to build 99 new homes on the sit off Mell Road, Tollesbury, being brought forward by developer, Gladman.

Mrs Patel, MP for Witham has said the scale of the development is "dangerous" and "will place huge pressures on our roads and public services."

She said: "Tollesbury has experienced housing growth previously and with the Parish Council looking to develop a neighbourhood plan for the village, it is outrageous that Gladman is trying to force this development through now.

"Their current consultation is a sham and I have seen the way they operate elsewhere; ignoring local communities and pressing ahead with proposals regardless of what local people think.

“All over the Witham constituency, Gladman has been putting forward unsuitable and ill-conceived developments in our villages and on our green spaces.

"I am working with communities in Hatfield Peverel and Tiptree to oppose them and I will work with residents in Tollesbury to oppose the plans for Mell Road.”