Concerns over new village homes

It includes proposals for up to 100 new homes including some described as 'affordable housing'.

Residents responded to a survey distributed by a newly-formed action group of villagers.

They backed the group's concern about the size and location of the proposed development, increased traffic problems in the village and serious dangers to children.

Mr Michael Wheeler, chairman of the group, said: 'We hope that councillors will take this survey seriously. As many as one in four households took the trouble to give us their views, despite the fact that we asked for replies in the run-up to Christmas.

'Although we recognise there may be a need for some new rented and low-cost housing, it's clear from this survey that the council's plan needs a lot more thought.

'Some of the strongest comments from villagers have challenged the need to concentrate so many new homes in Maresfield instead of spreading the load elsewhere. They're worried, too, about the prospect of turning an attractive village into another town and the lack of infrastructure to support so many new homes.

'The impressive number of people who have responded to the survey gives us the authority to challenge the Draft Local Plan on matters that affect our community.

'Among other things, we want to know why it's suggested that a commercial developer should make a healthy profit at the expense of villagers' interests by being allowed to build 80 homes on current farming land when the council admits that only 24 or less than one in three of them would be affordable housing.'

The Maresfield Action Group is liaising with its parish council and the Maresfield Conservation Group on village responses to the Draft Local Plan.