FURIOUS residents claim their protests to stop a huge housing estate coming to fruition have been ignored.

Hullbridge Residents Association says Rochford District Council refused to even consider concerns about Barratt Homes’ plan for 500 homes in Malyons Lane, Hullbridge.

The group has raised various fears, it says the garden space allocation for some houses does not meet the minimum requirements, especially the 25m2 for each flat.

It also says construction of the three and two and a half storey buildings are out of keeping with existing standards, which means a congested and over-developed future village of Hullbridge in direct opposition to planning and development guidance.

Brian Carleton, 80, chairman of the association, said: “The council has not listened.

“We have chartered surveyors and architects as part of our group and we have looked at the plans in detail.

“We feel it was passed in haste and is a bit of a farce and feel this is partly down to reduced staffing levels at the district council.

“We also took part in the consultation but feel the council has disregarded our comments and submissions about these plans.” The association has been fighting against the plans for years and have staged at least two demonstrations at the site.

The development will see 325 new homes, ranging from five to three bedrooms, as well as a further 175 affordable homes.

A spokesman for Rochford District Council said: “The planning application was appropriately considered. All representations received, including those from the Hullbridge Residents Association, were taken into account in preparing the committee report. In addition, at the previous meeting councillors resolved to defer consideration to allow the applicant to address several matters.