CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to continue the fight against plans for 190 homes in their village as part of an ambitious project to pay for a multi-million pound restoration of St Osyth Priory.

More than 350 villagers turned out to Clacton Town Hall on Tuesday night as Tendring Council’s planning committee debated eight separate planning applications associated with the restoration of the ancient landmark, the creation of more than 300 homes and a visitor centre.

All but two applications by the Sargeant family, which owns the Priory, were rejected by the committee during the meeting, which lasted almost five hours and 20 minutes, after English Heritage said many of the plans would cause “significant harm” to the site.

Planning councillors did approve plans for 190 homes on the Wellwick site, a former gravel extraction site off Colchester Road, but that decision has now been forwarded to the Secretary of State before it is given the final go ahead.

Villagers claim the homes would have a devastating impact on the character of the village and have vowed to continue the fight. They have now called for a public inquiry.

Owner Tim Sargeant said the family would be appealing against the refusal decisions.