Work has begun on a long-awaited housing development in north Colchester.

Mersea Homes got permission for the Chesterwell development, north and west of Myland towards Great Horkesley, from Colchester Borough Council in September 2013, and has been nine years in the planning stage.

The scheme was also given approval by a government minister, despite fierce opposition from local residents about the greenfield development.

Less than half of the overall 103 hectare site will have homes built on it, with open space inside and around the development according to the developers.

Mersea Homes has waited to begin construction until vital infrastructure around the area – most notably the third phase of the Northern Approach Road linking the A134 to the A12 and the introduction of park and ride – was complete.

Now building is going ahead on phase one of the scheme, with the first homes ready to be occupied in the autumn.

Phase one consists of 105 two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Altogether the development will consist of seven phases and a total of 1,600 homes, and will span across 15 years.

As well as the housing development the site will also have a primary and secondary school, shops and a community centre with the potential for a health centre, plus allotments and sports pitches.

Stuart Cock, managing director of Mersea Homes, said: “Being a local family business we are keen to ensure that the development has a distinctive local feel that portrays the quality of Colchester and is a destination where people want to live, work and relax.

“As well as waiting for the wider infrastructure, we are putting our own elements in such as diversion of the A134 and tackling drainage issues.

“Colchester, and north Colchester in particular, is popular because of its location. It is a popular destination for people to move to.

“Chesterwell ticks many boxes and comes at a time when long-awaited infrastructure is being delivered to cater for what is a much needed source of homes for a growing population over the next 15 years or so.

“There has already been excellent interest with hundreds of enquiries.”