A CAMPAIGN to halt a "neglectful" homes plan has gathered pace after a meeting was secured with district councillors.
Save Maldon Action Group (SMAG) is fighting a 1,375 home scheme at a site that would be known as the South Maldon Garden Suburbs.
The group made an official objection to the Local Development Plan (LDP) at the last consultation phase on the basis that the plan was "unsound" and hope to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate when public consultations start in July.
SMAG has now scheduled a meeting on May 11 with Conservative district councillors Bryan Harker, Brenda Harker and Andrew Cain.
Heybridge East councillor Bryan Harker said: "I am sympathetic to their cause and understand their concern for the South Maldon Garden Suburb. Traffic through Wycke Hill and in and out of Maldon will be greatly affected heading to Danbury and especially through Hatfield Peverel.
"There doesn't seem to be a solution to the traffic problem, or consideration of the issues this could cause. It can be extremely difficult to get around now, let alone without the new homes."
SMAG has delivered thousands of leaflets in the area and started an e-petition, which now has 800 signatures.
Chairwoman Kath Vale said: "We're delighted to have received support from three district councillors. They are sympathetic to our cause because none of them voted in favour of the LDP.
"Our ultimate goal is for the LDP to be completely redefined. We are not against new housing, but there are better options – like building closer to existing infrastructure.
"It is clear from the submission that Maldon District Council has been neglectful and has not conducted the rightful due diligence. They have chosen not to listen and represent the community."
The group has also invited the Green Party and the Wildlife Trust to the meeting, to be held at the West Maldon Community Centre from 4 to 6pm.
Andrew Cain, Conservative councillor for Maldon South, said: "I will be attending the meeting and I'm keen to hear what the residents have to say, what they are trying to achieve and the strength of opinion."
The LDP has now been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, who will then decide if the plan is sound or unsound and could make recommendations to Maldon District Council to adjust the plan.
"We hope to make a representation to the Planning Inspectorate in July and hopefully they will listen to us more than Maldon District Council has," said Mrs Vale.
Mr Harker feels that although SMAG has attracted support, the campaign may have come a little too late.
"Sadly for the group there have been three public consultations now and it's not until the bulldozers move in that people start to get uptight," he said.
SMAG attended a Maldon Council planning and licensing committee meeting on Wednesday, April 16 where they made a two-minute statement against the submission of the LDP.
But despite their statement, it was endorsed by the council and submitted to the Secretary of State for examination in public.
A Maldon District Council spokesman said: "A key focus of the master-planning work for the South Maldon Garden Suburb has been on the development of a comprehensive access strategy including the delivery of a new relief road to the north of the A414 at Wycke Hill.
"A number of options have been developed and are currently being assessed in consultation with Essex County Council."
Cllr Bob Boyce, leader of Maldon District Council, said: "I am delighted that the LDP has been endorsed. I would like to thank the thousands of residents and businesses who engaged proactively in the plan-making process."
Campaigners have also voiced their concerns about plans for 240 new homes in Southminster on page 6.
