A public inquiry is to be held into a controversial plan to build 110 new homes close to a 4,000-year-old Neolithic monument.

%image(15301406, type="article-full", alt="The site of the proposed dwellings in Lawford where a neolithic monument once stood Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN")

Neighbours believe building the homes at Tye Henge in Lawford, Manningtree could harm the character of the area.

Gladman Developments, the builder behind the proposal, has appealed a previous decision by Tendring District Council to refuse planning permission for the site, with a hearing originally planned for this month.

But it has now been revealed the Planning Inspectorate will deal with the matter at a public inquiry due to the level of public interest.

Gladman Developments has declined to comment until a date has been set for the public inquiry.

%image(15301407, type="article-full", alt="Andy Baker, the Tendring District councillor for Lawford, has said that the plans are "not wanted" Picture: SU ANDERSON")

Peter Gant, 80, who lives in Lawford and is a member of the Manningtree Museum and Local History Group, said: “It is a very rare, very old monument that we believe was used throughout history.

“We don’t see sites like this across north Essex and there may still be historical artefacts to excavate from the area.

“It is a valuable site that holds great evidence of how people have lived in the Stour Valley for thousands of years.”

Tendring District Council rejected the plans in April 2018, with 280 objections lodged against the proposal.

The proposal was for 110 dwellings, with a drainage system and vehicle access from Grange Road.

This would see houses built on the Tye field in Lawford, close to where the ancient site is located.

Andy Baker, Tendring district councillor for the Lawford ward, said: “There are so many reasons why residents are against the plans.

“We don’t need more houses. It is over-development of Manningtree and people don’t want it.

“The other reason is Tye Henge. It is an ancient monument and it has possibly the highest protection it could get.

“People don’t want to see houses at the bottom of the field disrupting the environment of this monument.”