The first phase of development for the Westcombe Park development in Maldon - formerly known as the North Heybridge Garden Suburb - has been approved by district councillors.

Members of the council's district planning committee gave the application the green light last night (Thursday, 30 September), after a lengthy discussion in which members raised concerns which included tree removal and the absence of bridleways in the plans.

The approved application covers roads, paths, open spaces and earthworks on the development.

Councillor Anne Hull said: "There's plenty of footpaths and cycleways which is great, but once again, why are there no bridleways in the plans?

"Essex has got one of the largest populations of horses and horse riders."

Councillor Michael Edwards also raised concerns about the cutting down of trees on the site to make way for its relief road.

Mr Johnson, a district council planning officer, said: "There will be a comprehensive tree planting and tree replacement scheme."

Features of the phase one application approved last night include landscaping for the relief road, the open space at the site's entrance and its central open space, the main spine road, and the design of green corridors on the development.

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Phase one covers land between Maypole Road and Langford Road.

The controversial development to build 1,138 homes on the site, just north of Heybridge, was given the go ahead by Maldon district councillors in October 2019.

The district council had initially turned down the application, but did not defend its decision when the developer, Countryside Properties, launched an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Countryside Properties last week revealed that it had found sites of potential interest after undertaking archaeological investigations on the site.

Raising the potential archaeological finds on the site at last night's meeting, Councillor Christopher Swain said: "Isn't [the development] going to destroy areas which might have been worth excavating for archaeological purposes?"

Mr Johnson reassured members that "no works that would constitute development have taken place on the site", only works such as archaeological investigations to inform applications.

The planning officers' recommendation to approve the phase one application was voted through by councillors, with 14 for and 7 against.

It is the first of five phases to be debated and voted on by councillors.

Residents and stakeholders will be provided with a detailed update on the development ahead of its commencement, which is anticipated to take place later this year.