PLANS for 250 homes on green belt in Ongar that’s ‘already at breaking point’ will ‘change the whole nature’ of the town. Campaigners are calling on Epping Forest District Council to reject the plan from Bloor Homes reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

The residents argue that the road network wouldn’t be able to handle the extra traffic and the loss of undeveloped green belt land would harm biodiversity and green infrastructure. The site on land south of Chelmsford Road is currently designated as green belt but Bloor Homes consider the land to fall within lower-quality green belt, called “grey belt”.

Residents living nearby say they disagree – and that it is a productive, working field that produces wheat and other crops.

Ashleigh Mason, who lives nearby said: “This about protecting the green belt. I feel if it gets reduced down to grey belt then we are compromising all the land around Ongar and neighbouring towns. It is a working field.”

A petition urging Epping Forest District Council to refuse planning permission for the development has garnered around 1,600 signatures.

She added: “Residents are increasingly worried that Ongar’s infrastructure is already at breaking point. Roads are regularly congested and unable to cope with existing traffic levels, while drainage systems are under severe pressure—contributing to repeated flooding on surrounding fields and local roads.

“The proposed development would also result in the loss of green belt land, which plays a crucial role in flood mitigation, environmental protection, and maintaining the character of the area.

“Many in the community feel that further large-scale development is unsustainable without significant and clearly defined investment in infrastructure. There is a growing perception that these concerns are not being adequately addressed within current planning considerations.”

Kirstin Smith said: “The A414 is now a high collision route and that is not going to cope with the traffic. All that traffic has got to go through Ongar.” Amanda O’Mahony added: “It’s gong to change the whole nature of Ongar.”

A statement from Bloor Homes says the council currently have a five-year land supply of 4.3 years, therefore new housing sites will be needed and Ongar will have a role to play.

The council has said in recent planning considerations earlier in the month that it has a five-year supply of deliverable sites as well as over 75 percent delivery against its requirement over a rolling three-year period and therefore the tilted balance -which tilts the balance in favour of approving an application – s not engaged.

A statement from Bloor Homes as part of material to promote the plan said: “The development will offer a mix of family homes, bungalows, and properties for first-time buyers, creating a balanced and diverse community where residents can continue to call the area home.”

Bloor Homes and Epping Forest District Council have been contacted for comment.