An appeal against Maldon District Council's rejection of plans to build affordable homes next to Woodham Walter Primary School has been thrown out by the planning inspector.

Mr Mountview submitted plans to build up to nine discounted homes on land to the east of The Street in Woodham Walter, next to the village's primary school, last December.

But after the council rejected the plans in February, saying the "the development is unsustainable as a result of the site's limited accessibility", Mr Mountview appealed to the Government.

The ruling of the planning inspector appointed by the Government has now been handed down, upholding the council's decision to refuse permission in principle for the development.

The planning inspector said the site falls under habitats development, which means it would likely have a "significant effect" on European sites protected by the Conservation of Habitats and Species.

These sites are the Crouch and Roach Estuaries Special Protection Area (SPA), Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Blackwater Estuary SPA and Ramsar site and the Dengie SPA and Ramsar site.

The planning inspector said: "The Essex coastline is one of importance for birds and their habitat. It is home to internationally important numbers of breeding and non-breeding birds and their coastal habitats.

"Given that the proposal is for additional housing, and its proximity to the SPAs and SAC there is a reasonable likelihood that it would be accessed for recreational purposes by future occupants of this development.

"This additional activity would have the potential, either alone or in combination with other development in the area, to have a likely significant effect on the European sites."

The application was for permission in principle for the development which has two stages - establishing whether a site is suitable in principle and then obtaining consent for the technical details of the proposal.

The inspector noted the application was in the first stage and "permission in principle must not be granted for development which is habitats development".

The plans also included adding extra car parking and playing field space for the primary school.

In a planning statement for the application, a spokesperson for Plainview Planning said the homes would provide "a more affordable housing option to local residents".

They said the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document adopted by the district council in 2018 and amended in 2019 "identified need for 130 affordable units each year in the Maldon district - since 2014, only 71 affordable units have been developed".

They added: "The mix of residential development, with additional much needed space for the school, means that the proposal will provide an organic extension to the community.

"The proposed housing will meet an identified need for affordable housing and the works proposed for the school will enhance and support a local community facility."

The planning inspector's dismissal of the appeal was announced on Monday (6 December).