THE long-awaited decision for a controversial development in Halstead has been delayed.

Braintree Council were set to make a decision on the application to bring 130 homes to land off Mount Hill in the town.

The verdict was set to be announced on Tuesday 22 December.

However, the council has announced the assessment of the application is still ongoing.

The application has become a key talking point amid fears of overdevelopment in the town since being submitted in September following the approval of multiple applications in recents years including one for 71 homes located directly adjacent to the 130 homes application.

A Halstead Gazette poll held in September also found that of the 109 readers who took part, 92 per cent said yes to the question "is overdevelopment as problem in Halstead?"

It has received objections from multiple residents as well the Halstead Town Council who recommended the application should be scrapped during a town council meeting.

The town council's main reasons for objecting to the application are due to the development site being located outside the town's official boundaries.

This means the site is part of the Greenstead Green and Halstead Rural and as a result means residents of the new development wouldn't pay any tax to the town council.

The council say this means they will be able to use their infrastructure such as schools and doctors without paying for them.

Concerns were also raised over safety with councillors pointing out the proposed junction location is already an accident blackspot with the road on Mount Hill also prone to flooding.

Other concerns include traffic, the size and density of the development, parking, impact on the environment, location and loss of countryside.

Following the delay of the decision , Braintree Council have confirmed a decision wont be made until the new year.

A Braintree District Council spokesperson, said: “This is a major application and while the target date for decision was 22nd December, the assessment is ongoing.

"The application will need to be reported to Planning Committee for determination which will be in the New Year.”