MASS house-building proposals that could see thousands of homes built in the M11 corridor would put significant extra burden on Bishop's Stortford.

That is the message from Hertfordshire County Council which feels growth options set out in the Stansted-M11 corridor study would put immense pressure on the town's ageing infrastructure.

Even with one additional runway at Stansted, the report predicts an extra 2,000 homes would be needed in the town by 2021. On top of that almost 12,000 new homes would be needed in Harlow and 5,540 in Stansted Mountfitchet.

Environment executive member Derrick Ashley said: "The extra houses would have a significant impact on the town, stretching the already burdened services, road and rail network and putting further pressure on our secondary school facilities.

"The study fails to fully address transport issues in relation to the extra commuters and airport passengers that would be generated by more homes and the proposed Stansted Airport expansion.

"We're also concerned about how these extra homes could significantly change the character of the surrounding rural villages."

The council is also disappointed consultants Colin Buchanan and Partners have not adequately examined the environmental impacts such large-scale development would have on the area, and want to see more public consultation so local people can be more involved in the decision-making process.

Mr Ashley said: "The most worrying part of all this is it seems we are heading towards a situation where more and more local decisions are being made by regional bodies and we could see people who have no relation to Hertfordshire overseeing development in this area."

The study can be viewed at www.eelgc.co.uk. Comments must be sent to Greg Lee at Colin Buchanan and Partners, Newcombe House, 45, Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 3PB, by Friday, October 31.