Plans to build affordable housing in Essex town scrappedThe developer offered to pay the council £1.047 million instead of providing the affordable homesView Image What the development could look like (Image: Bluepencil Designs)Plans for affordable housing in an Essex town have been scrapped, despite the "critical situation” around lower-priced homes. Bellway Homes has been given the go-ahead to remove 21 affordable homes from the plans for 47 properties at Maitland Lodge, Southend Road, Great Burstead - near Billericay. During the ruling in November 2022, Owen Woodwards, Planning Inspector, referred to affordable housing building in the borough as "the critical situation regarding affordable housing delivery in the borough." A representative from the developer said there have been no offers or viable offers for the affordable housing. He blamed the number of affordable homes proposed and the ongoing issues around affordable homes.