PLANS to build up to 50 houses would mean the heritage of a vil- lage could be lost, a new resident fears.

Paul Scott, 42, moved into a Grade II listed 17th century cot- tage in Hedingham Road, Gosfield, a couple of months ago.

He was saddened to learn that the field, off Meadway, which backs onto the cottage has been put forward in Braintree Council’s Call for Sites for a development of up to 50 houses.

He said: “The development would go right behind the cottage.

“It is not a case that I don’t like developments, I just feel that our English heritage is being lost and if they build this development, an- other part of the heritage will be lost.

“This cottage has stood here for 400 years.

“A listed heritage asset could be lost forever.”

Mr Scott added: “This is going to be a huge development – I don’t think people realise how big one of 50 houses is.

“I’m not saying there is a vast amount of opposition to the plans right now, but I think this is be- cause a lot of people aren’t aware of the proposals.”

Michael Calder, planning devel- oper at Braintree-based Phase 2 Planning, said: “The facts are it’s a maximum of 50 houses that the site has been put forward for con- sultation.

“Braintree Council has full power to put a different number of houses on there – from 15 to 50 houses.

“What we have done is say the site is suitable for up to 50 houses.”

He added that access to the site from Meadway would only be pro- vided for cyclists and pedestrians, while vehicle access would be off Hedingham Road.

Mr Calder said that a parish council meeting in February had revealed little opposition to the site and Gosfield Parish Council had ruled this site and one other in the village were the most suitable for houses.

A consultation on Braintree Council’s call for sites, setting out which land the authority believes is suitable for housing, is due out this summer.