Proposals to build a new community for thousands of people on the edge of Clacton have been given the go-ahead by Tendring Council.

Persimmon Homes wants to build 950 homes to the west of the town at Rouse’s Farm. The development will also include a new health centre, shops and a new primary school for the town.

The scheme would develop land off St John’s Road, running behind homes to the west of Jaywick Lane. An access to the development will be provided to both roads.

Tendring Council’s planning committee approved the proposals during a meeting on Wednesday night.

Councillors heard there were only four objections to the plans, with the issues raised being adequately addressed by the developers, and that the scheme complied with the emerging Local Plan.

An agreement will need to be reached with the developer about the provision of affordable housing, land for a healthcare facility and primary school and other contributions to community amenities, before planning permission is granted.

The masterplan for the site shows that the primary school would be to the north of the development, near St John’s Road in Clacton while the neighbourhood centre with shops and the health facilities would be at the south, near Jaywick.

In the planning application, Persimmon Homes said that the scheme would provide a substantial benefit to the town and would be able to provide a significant number of affordable homes.

The company said it would work to create a development that fitted in with the Clacton area and the nearby village of Jaywick. The application says: “We believe the scheme will create a place with a locally-inspired or otherwise distinctive character.”

As the application was for outline plans and access, the final proposals for individual buildings will have to be discussed again by planners when as detailed planning applications.

However a development of this size is likely to be phased over several years – allowing the development to evolve into a new area of Clacton providing a link with the village of Jaywick which is a community that has had serious problems in the past.